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Assessing adults and children with learning disabilities

 People with learning disabilities are much more likely to have eye and vision problems than members of the general population, but find accessing eye care more difficult because of limited communication and understanding. This distance learning package is compiled by people with many years of experience in the field and provides an insight into the barriers to good eye care and how the staff can overcome them.

 The WOPEC LOCSU Learning Disabilities course has been developed to increase the eye care professional's ability to deliver an effective service to people with learning disabilities. As well as being suitable for optometrists, editions especially designed for dispensing opticians and optical assistants are also available. 

 Mike George, BSc, MCOptom says "As an optometrist it is so rewarding to be able to ensure that people with learning disabilities have access to good quality eye care.  WOPEC’s modules on learning disabilities provide unique opportunities for optometrists and other eye care professionals to develop their skills and understanding in dealing with people who cannot communicate in the usual way.  Children and adults with learning disabilities are much more likely to have vision and eye problems than other people.  I would recommend WOPEC’s courses to any eye care professional seeking to develop their skills in this field.

 Optometrists, dispensing opticians and optical assistants can all access the online course, complete with MCQs, to see the practice visit and eye examination from the patient’s point of view. 

 Each presentation duration is between 40-60 minutes accompanied by up to 12 multiple choice questions, with a pass rate set at 60%. On successful completion of all the lectures and MCQs a certificate in pdf format is awarded on-line. 

 Please contact your LOC for access codes to this module, stating whether you are an optometrist, dispensing optician or optical assistant.

 The course comprises:

 

For Optometrists – 6 CET points

- A vision of eye care for people with learning disability (An overview of learning disabilities)

 - A vision of eye care for people with learning disability Part 2

 - Community eye care pathway

 - Dispensing

 - Prevalence of eye problems

 - Learning disabilities VRICS

  

For Dispensing Opticians – 3 CET points

 - A vision of eye care for people with learning disability (An overview of learning disabilities)

 - Community eye care pathway

 - Dispensing

  

For Optical Assistants

 - A vision of eye care for people with learning disability (An overview of learning disabilities)

 - Community eye care pathway 

 

 

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