Loading ...Pauline, a 40 year woman has learning disabilities and epilepsy. Pauline also has reduced vision and Neurofibromatosis which had always worried the care manager of the home where she lived and who had consistently taken her for regular eye tests. (Neurofibromatosis is an inherited condition where there are multiple tumours arising from connective tissue surrounding peripheral nerves).
Staff were regularly told by Pauline’s Optician, that her sight was stable and there was nothing to worry about, but they had concerns about the quality of the eye test because the assessment was so short and Pauline would still walk into objects even when wearing her presubscribed glasses.
Pauline’s support staff received information from the SeeAbility eye 2e ye Development Officer which raised their awareness of the importance of eye tests and eye care for people with learning disabilities and so contacted the team. It was agreed to use another optician where Pauline spent over an hour with on her test. The test results showed that Pauline’s glasses were not correct and that that there was evidence of physical change of the Neurofibromatosis which needed to be investigated by a specialist. Staff felt relieved that Pauline had, for the first time in years, received a thorough assessment and was referred to a specialist in order to monitor any future changes in her eye condition.
The Care Home Manager was so impressed with the service all residents at the home went for eye tests which resulted in another two people being prescribed glasses. Left unattended, Pauline’s eye condition would have deteriorated and could have resulted in her loosing her sight completely.
