Clinical Report: NHS Contract Boosts Disability Eye Care
Overview
SeeAbility has secured an NHS contract to provide specialist eye care to children in special schools across London and the South East. The service includes comprehensive sight tests, free glasses, and support for children with learning disabilities, who are significantly more likely to experience sight problems.
Background
Children with learning disabilities are 28 times more likely to have sight issues compared to their peers. Many have never received a sight test, highlighting a gap in eye care services. The new NHS contract aims to provide accessible eye care within special educational settings.
Data Highlights
Data from SeeAbility indicates that over 40% of pupils in special schools have no recorded history of eye care, and half have an eye or vision problem.
Key Findings
- SeeAbility's service will roll out in September 2026, targeting nearly 30,000 children in London.
- Many children with learning disabilities have never received a sight test.
- Half of the children in special schools have an eye or vision problem.
- At least one-third of these children require glasses.
- SeeAbility has supported over 3,000 children across 57 schools in the past year.
Clinical Implications
Clinicians are encouraged to collaborate with SeeAbility to enhance eye care accessibility for this population.
Conclusion
The NHS contract aims to improve eye care for children with disabilities.
Related Resources & Content
- SeeAbility, SeeAbility, 2023 -- NHS Contract Boosts Disability Eye Care
- the new optometrist, Call for Quality Eye Care in UK Special Schools, 2025 -- Call for Quality Eye Care in UK Special Schools
- the ophthalmologist, Free Vision Care Clinic for Vulnerable Groups in UK, 2026 -- Free Vision Care Clinic for Vulnerable Groups in UK
- the new optometrist, A New Eye Care Support Pathway, 2024 -- A New Eye Care Support Pathway
- ICB toolkit, NHS England, 2025 -- CYP SEND sight testing service specification
- the ophthalmologist — The New UK NHS and Independent Sector Partnership
- ICB toolkit: CYP SEND sight testing service specification
- Principles of examining patients with a disability - College of Optometrists
- Special schools eye care – proof of concept evaluation report
Based on findings from:
NHS Contract Boosts Disability Eye Care
The Ophthalmologist, 2026.
https://theophthalmologist.com/issues/2026/articles/august/nhs-contract-boosts-disability-eye-care/
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