Eye Care Survey

Regular eye tests, or sight tests, are the best way to ensure your eyes are healthy and make the best use of your eyesight. Adults with learning disabilities and/or autism are 10 times more likely to have a serious sight problem (SeeAbility, 2016.) Eye tests can monitor any changes in how well your eyes can see, confirm if you need glasses and/or contact lenses, and monitor diseases. 

Wessex Voices is working with NHS England Wessex (South) and SeeAbility to understand how eye care and eye tests can be improved for people with learning disabilities and/or autism in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

What is the survey about?
In our new survey, we want to know what are the problems and how can accessibility be improved? Questions in the survey will ask about the experiences of:

• Eye tests (also called sight tests)
• Having your glasses or contact lenses fitted
• Taking care of your glasses or contact lenses
• If you don't go to eye tests, what could be improved to help you go?
  
  

Who do we want to hear from?
We want to hear from adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, people with complex needs, and their carers/supporters. 

The survey will be available online (including Easy Read) and hard copies with reply paid envelopes (including Easy Read). We are also doing face to face interviews with individuals, as well as speaking at group forums and meetings. Get in touch with us if you would like Easy Read versions, hard copies or would like us to speak with your group or for an individual interview.

When is the survey open?
The survey is now closed; it was open from 20 December 2019 to 16 February 2020. 

When is the report available?
The report will be published in 2020 on our website. Please keep checking our websites for updates or if you'd like to receive a copy when it is available, you can sign up by emailing wessexvoices@helpandcare.org.uk.

Where can I get more information about eye care and tests?

• The NHS has general information available on their website: www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/look-after-your-eyes/
• They also have information about free NHS eye tests and vouchers for prescribed glasses, for those who are eligible: www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/
• SeeAbility also has a variety of information, including printable PDFs in Easy Read: www.seeability.org/looking-after-your-eyes

Contact details
If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please emali us at wessexvoices@helpandcare.org.uk.