SeeAbility releases new film for Learning Disability week
27 June 2018
The national disability charity aims to encourage people with learning disabilities to look after their eyes and have regular sight tests, and eye care professionals to make reasonable adjustments so that people get the care they need.
The theme for Learning Disability Week 2018 is health, and SeeAbility’s new film is about Leanne, a young woman with Down’s syndrome and learning disabilities, and her eye care journey.
Leanne had been denied life-changing cataract surgery for years but with the support of SeeAbility’s eye care advisor and hospital eye care professionals, her life has been transformed and she is far more independent.
Howard Bunting, the ophthalmologist that supported Leanne at hospital, said: “People with learning disabilities are more likely to have sight problems such as cataracts and I am delighted that we were able to make the reasonable adjustments that Leanne needed to have successful surgery.”
“I would urge all eye care professionals to watch Leanne’s film so that more people with learning disabilities can benefit from the life-changing eye surgery they need.”
Ray, Leanne’s father, said: “When Leanne’s eye problems began, it had a huge impact on her life but with the right support from the hospital and SeeAbility, Leanne was able to have successful cataract surgery.”
“Eye surgery has improved Leanne’s vision significantly and transformed her life, she is a different person now. I just want other people with learning disabilities to have the same support as Leanne so they don’t have to live their lives with avoidable sight loss.”
You can watch the film and read SeeAbility’s free resources to help anyone going through eye surgery.