SeeAbility film marks Learning Disability Week

SeeAbility has released a short film that encourages people with learning disabilities to looking after their eyes and have regular sight tests.

Created to mark Learning Disability Week, which begins today (18 June), the film follows the eye care journey of Leanne, a young woman who has Down’s syndrome and learning disabilities.

Denied cataract surgery for years, with the support of the charity and hospital eye care practitioners, she has become more independent.

Ophthalmologist Howard Bunting, who 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.”

Ray, Leanne’s father, shared that her eye problems have had a “huge” impact on her life, but highlighted that with the right support from the hospital and SeeAbility, Leanne was able to have successful cataract surgery.

He reflected: “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.”