One in three Leicestershire children with a learning disability or autism missing out on eye care

A survey of parents and optometrists in Leicestershire has explored the provision of eye care to children with learning disabilities and autism.

Optometrist, Beth Cox, completed the survey as part of her MSc in clinical optometry through Cardiff University.

She received 42 responses from Leicestershire optometrists and 144 responses from parents of children with learning disabilities and autism.

Close to one in three parents surveyed (30%) reported that their child had not received an eye examination. Among those children who received an eye examination, 41% required spectacles.

Around eight in 10 (81%) optometrists surveyed reported that primary care is the best place for specialist eye care provision.

However, 91% of optometrists highlighted that a lack of confidence and training is a barrier to providing eye examinations to children with autism and learning disabilities.

“Most optometrists would be willing to provide specialist paediatric eye care, especially if training was provided,” Cox shared.

“However, in the absence of a specialist scheme in Leicestershire, optometrists believe that barriers such as a lack of training, time pressures and a lack of funding contribute to these children not accessing adequate eye care,” the optometrist highlighted.

Beth Cox

Beth Cox, optometrist and MSc student

Cox expressed her gratitude to those who took the time to complete the survey.

“The responses were more detailed and thought-provoking than I had anticipated. They gave real insight into both positive and negative previous experiences of eye care in Leicestershire,” she said.

The findings of the survey were presented as part of a report to the NHS integrated care board (ICB) for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The report recommends commissioning a special schools eye care service in the region, alongside a practice-based service – such as the Easy Eye Care service.

“In addition to commissioning services, I would like to see more paediatric training at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, to ensure optometrists have the skills and confidence to see children of all ages and abilities in primary care, rather than turning them away or automatically referring to secondary care for routine examinations,” Cox emphasised.