Attitudes of Optometrists/Optometry Students Towards People with Intellectual Disability after Participation in Special Olympic Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes Vision Screening

PURPOSE. This is a pilot study evaluating attitudes of optometrists/optometry students towards persons with intellectual disability (ID). The study attempted to determine if an intervention, specifically participation in a Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes (SOLCIOE) vision screening, changed attitude.

METHODS. The Prognostic Beliefs Scale (PBS) is a survey that indirectly measures attitudes about ID. The PBS lists 27 items reflecting daily activities. Estimates of capability were asked for each level of ID: mild, moderate, and severe. Subjects were asked to check the items they felt people with ID at each level were capable of achieving. The survey was administered to 4 subgroups: SOLCIOE volunteers prescreening; same subjects' post screening; SOLCIOE volunteers post screening survey only; and a control group of a random sample of optometric alumni.

RESULTS. 434 surveys were mailed or administered on site.171 surveys were returned. A comparison between the prescreening survey and post screening survey indicated a significant positive difference in attitude (F=315.7, p<0.05) as defined by a higher PBS score. The control group had lower capability scores for all three levels of ID as compared to the experimental groups. Gender did not have an effect, however age did influence the capability score.

CONCLUSIONS. Participation in a SOLCIOE vision screening resulted in a positive influence on the attitudes of optometrists/optometry students towards people with ID at the mild or moderate level but had no effect on the attitude of persons with a severe level of ID.