Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #100997

Sandra S. Block, OD, Illinois College of Optometry, 3241 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60053, 312-949-7276, sblock@eyecare.ico.edu

Research has demonstrated that Special Olympic (SO) athletes who have participated in a SOLCIOE vision screening at SO athletic events are not receiving adequate eye care services. In an effort to increase access to eye care for patients with intellectual disability, Lions Clubs International and Special Olympics have teamed up to address this problem. A team of health care providers, representing optometry, ophthalmology, pediatrics, and epidemiology have worked to develop a comprehensive education curriculum to improve access and quality of eye care to this population. The Lions and SO are providing assistance for not only the development of this educational video but also for the dissemination to optometry schools, ophthalmology residencies, and practicing eye care providers located around the globe. The objectives of the video include providing a historical perspective of ID, presenting the epidemiology of the problem, presentation of normal and abnormal neurology as it relates to the visual system, ocular embryology, normal and abnormal development of vision, communication issues, examination modifications and analysis suggestions specific to this patient population with the purpose of providing a framework for providing the highest level of eye care for patients with ID worldwide. There will be 2 versions of the video. One version is designed for the new clinician and will be 4 hours in length while the other is 2 hours and geared towards the seasoned clinician. A review of the video and plans for dissemination will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• This presentation is designed to present a plan to educate eye care providers world wide about eye care for the patient with Intellectual Disabilities.

Keywords: Vision Care, Access to Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation