Learning difficulties linked to undiagnosed sight problems

THOUSANDS of people with learning disabilities in Edinburgh may also have undiagnosed sight problems, it has been warned.

A city charity said that visual impairment can be difficult to spot and may get lost amid the other health issues people with conditions such as autism have.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People in Scotland has launched a campaign to help optometrists spot eye care problems in those with learning disabilities, saying as many as 7,000 people in the Capital could be losing out. A DVD has been produced to help with training, which was launched today with the help of public health minister Shona Robison.

RNIB Scotland director John Legg said: "Several conditions – such as Down's Syndrome and cerebral palsy – are particularly likely to cause eye problems.

"The prevalence of sight problems increases dramatically with the severity of the learning disability and with age."