Reports and research

Over the last decade, SeeAbility has been working to improve eye care for people with learning disabilities in England. We have been campaigning for national change so that adults and children with learning disabilities receive a more inclusive system of eye care.

The recent reports and documents below provide a more detailed look at our work.

SeeAbility at parliament

Reports and evidence produced by SeeAbility

Children in Focus 2019 – A Change in Sight

Since 2013 SeeAbility has been delivering specialist sight tests in a number of special schools. This report looks back on our last six years of work and celebrates the NHS's pledge to introduce sight tests in special schools from 2020 onwards.

For more about our work in special schools and our peer reviewed research, as well as contacting us for earlier reports on this programme, please go to our dedicated special schools page.

Delivering an equal right to sight (2016)

People with learning disabilities experience an alarmingly high level of sight problems and yet they are much less likely to get the eye care they need. In this report, launched in parliament, we showcased some of the great work that is happening.

Learning disabilities eye care pathway – Tri-Borough London pilot (2015)

This report details the results of a pilot eye care pathway for adults with learning disabilities across a Tri-Borough area in London and finds a high level of eye care needs amongst adults tested.

The Estimated Prevalence of Visual Impairment among People with Learning Disabilities in the UK (2011).

Eric Emerson and Janet Robertson. Improving Health and Lives Learning Disabilities Observatory. Funded by SeeAbility and RNIB. The prevalence data includes statistics that show adults are 10 times more likely to have a sight problem than other adults, and six in ten will need glasses. 

Planning and improving local eye care and recommendations for professionals - other reports and recommendations

Sight Advice FAQ website - adults with complex needs section (2021)

We have provided our information to the Sight Advice FAQ website in their section about adults with complex needs. This website is produced by RNIB, Guide Dogs, Visionary, VICTA, Fight for Sight and the Macular Society. See our advice on the Sight Advice FAQ website.

LOCSU eye care pathway for people with learning disabilities (2020)

Information to support the commissioning of a pathway was refreshed in 2020 and information on how to commission and set up a pathway can be found on the LOCSU member area. More information on where the pathways are located.

Wessex Voices: Improving eye care across Wessex (2020)

This report commissioned from Wessex Voices (Healthwatch) by NHS South East and supported by SeeAbility surveyed people with learning disabilities and their supporters on experiences of sight tests and what improvements could be made across Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Dorset. Read the Wessex Voices report.

Eye care and people with learning disabilities: Making reasonable adjustments (2020)

Report by Public Health England the Improving Health and Lives Learning Disabilities Observatory, with support from SeeAbility. Read the Eye care and people with learning disabilities: Making reasonable report.

College of Optometrists Guidance for Professional Practice (2020)

Domains on examining patients with learning disabilities and examining patients with autism. Read the College of Optometrists Guidance for Professional Practice report.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (2015)

Guidance for ophthalmic services. 

Vision and people with learning disabilities - Guidance for GPs (2012)

Recommendations for GPs from SeeAbility, Royal College of Ophthalmologists and Royal College of GPs. Read the guidance for GPs