SeeAbility to bring specialist eye care to thousands of children in special schools

Disability charity SeeAbility has been awarded an NHS contract to deliver specialist eye care in most special schools across London, as well as large parts of South East England.

The expanded Special School Eye Care Service is due to begin in September 2026. In London alone, it could reach almost 30,000 children, many of whom may never have had a sight test before, even though children with learning disabilities are much more likely to experience sight problems.

Across the South East, the service will also be introduced in Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Medway, where it is estimated that around 40,000 children could benefit.

SeeAbility has been providing eye care in London special schools for more than a decade. Its work has been part of a long-running campaign for the NHS to make eye care available in all special schools, supported by research and pilot services.

In the last year, the charity reached more than 3,000 children in 57 London schools and colleges. Its model goes far beyond basic vision screening. Children receive comprehensive eye care, glasses at no cost to families, support to wear them, and a written report explaining their visual abilities and needs.

SeeAbility’s first school visit was to Perseid School in South London in 2013. Since then, its data has shown that many children with learning disabilities in special schools across the country have been missing out on the eye care they need.

More than four in ten pupils seen by the charity had no history of eye care, yet around half had an eye or vision problem. At least a third needed glasses. Many were also under hospital eye care but found it difficult to attend routine appointments.

The charity says the latest announcement follows years of research, campaigning and partnership working. In 2023, the government committed to rolling out eye care to special schools in England, following support for SeeAbility’s “one stop shop” model from professional bodies, charities and SEND professionals.

By 2025, a service model, contract specification and dedicated funding had been issued, enabling Integrated Care Boards to begin commissioning the service.

Lisa Donaldson, SeeAbility’s Director of Eye Care and Vision, said:

“We are absolutely delighted that most special schools in London and much of the South East will now be able to benefit from SeeAbility’s eye care and glasses provision to optimally support every student to achieve their visual potential.

“This development follows over a decade of campaigning, research evidencing unmet need, refining models of care and developing a solid evidence base.

“We are very grateful to our wonderful partner schools, especially those we have now been visiting for a whole generation of students: Perseid School, The Village School, Willow Dene School, Charlton Park Academy and the Eden Academy schools.

“No child should have to experience avoidable or undiagnosed visual impairment. With the appropriate adjustments and setting, it is possible for everyone to access eye care and that includes young people with complex needs and disabilities and those who are not able to express themselves verbally. We can get so much information, and can prescribe glasses if needed, just from shining a light into someone’s eyes.”

Schools in London and the South East that want to access SeeAbility’s Eye Care Service must opt in individually by contacting the charity.

SeeAbility is also keen to hear from clinicians interested in joining its Eye Care Team to help deliver the service.

The charity would also welcome support from professionals working in hospital eye departments, community paediatrics, habilitation, or visual impairment services who can help connect special school students on their caseloads with the new service.

For more information, visit: https://www.seeability.org/eye-care/special-school-eye-care-services