Effect of training on attitudes and expertise of optometrists towards people with intellectual disabilities.

Purpose: To determine whether participation in an educational programme, which comprised both lectures and supervised patient contacts, did more to improve the attitudes, expertise, knowledge and confidence of optometrists and student optometrists towards people with intellectual disabilities (ID) compared with receiving didactic lectures only.

Methods: Optometrists and student optometrists were invited to take part in vision screening. A series of lectures were provided followed by supervised practice for a minimum of 2 days.

Ocular and visual defects amongst people with intellectual disabilities participating in Special Olympics.

Purpose: To analyse data from vision screening of people with intellectual disabilities from the UK participating in Special Olympics during the National Summer Games in Cardiff 2001, in order to determine visual status and access to eye care.

Methods: Athletes were invited to take part in vision screening, according to Special Olympics protocols.

Results: Testability rates were high.