Welcome to the first article in our Eye Gaze Essentials series, where we introduce Lisa Donaldson, Head of Eyecare and Clinical Lead Optometrist at SeeAbility. Lisa has dedicated the past six years to advancing eye care for children with special educational needs, working on groundbreaking projects that have brought vital attention to this often-overlooked area.

Lisa has played a pivotal role in what is now the largest published global study on the eye care needs of children attending special schools, providing crucial insights into this underserved population.

Key Insights from Lisa Donaldson

Summarising findings from the study, Lisa highlights the scale of the issue:

*“In England, we know that children with the most profound needs attend special schools — that’s around 125,000 children. For a long time, it was believed that, because they have the most complex needs, their eye care needs would have been met.

All of those children are entitled to an NHS sight test, but our work has shown that only about 10% of them have ever accessed that right, with an average age of 11.

Then, across that population again, it’s staggering that 40% have never had any eye care at all.

The majority of eye care happens in the hospital setting. We know that many children fail to attend hospital appointments, get lost in the system, and then their eye care isn’t picked up again.”*

Key Facts

1. Groundbreaking Study: SeeAbility published the largest global study into the eye care needs of children in special schools.
2. Low NHS Uptake: Only 10% of these children have accessed their entitlement to free NHS eye tests.
3. Significant Gaps: A staggering 40% of children in this population have never had any form of eye care.

Who Are SeeAbility?

SeeAbility is one of the UK’s oldest disability charities, registered as The Royal School for the Blind. With over 220 years of experience, SeeAbility has pioneered specialist support for people with:

• Learning disabilities.
• Autism.
• Sight loss.

They provide a wide range of services, including:

• Specialist accommodation and support.
• Eye care services tailored to people with complex needs.

Why This Matters

Lisa Donaldson’s work shines a light on the critical gaps in eye care for children with profound and multiple needs. By addressing these disparities, SeeAbility continues to ensure that children in special schools receive the attention and support they deserve.

Stay tuned for the next instalment in our Eye Gaze Essentials series, where we explore more insights and tips for educators and therapists.

For more information on SeeAbility and their incredible work, visit SeeAbility.