How can I get someone with learning disabilities used to wearing glasses?

Before starting make sure the glasses fit and are comfortable.

It is a good idea to make a routine appointment with the dispensing opticians 6-8 weeks after new glasses are fitted so that they can support with getting used to glasses and make sure they fit and are comfortable.

Choose an activity the person enjoys and one for which the glasses will help. If they are short sighted, glasses improve distance vision, so the activity may be watching TV or going for a walk. If the person is long sighted, the greatest benefit will be for near tasks like drawing, looking at magazines, family photographs, or enjoying a meal.

Make sure the person is well supported and encouraged throughout the ‘glasses time’, especially if they are on the move. Put the glasses on at the start of the activity and make the activity very short at first. If the person takes the glasses off, simply stop the activity without comment, if appropriate. Alternatively, ask the person to put the glasses back on for a short time with lots of encouragement.

Try to build this ‘adaption time’ consistently into daily routines.

Persevere slowly: increase the length of time, and/or introduce a second “glasses wearing” activity. Don’t worry if it takes a long time; it can take a while for new glasses to become part of a person’s daily routine. Good support will promote a lifelong habit of wearing glasses giving the person the benefit of good vision.

Further information including ongoing support with wearing glasses can be found on the SeeAbility website.

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