ArticleOphthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)2022
Autism-friendly eyecare: Developing recommendations for service providers based on the experiences of autistic adults.
Article in Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists), 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed.
- Visual function and autism spectrum disorder.Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) · 2026Review
- Understanding eye care access for autistic adults and families: A convergent mixed-methods study.Autism : the international journal of research and practice · 2026Article
- Parallel paths: A narrative review exploring autism and its co-occurring conditions.World journal of clinical pediatrics · 2025Review
- Experiences and perceptions of physical healthcare among adult autistic patients: A scoping review.International journal of nursing studies advances · 2025Review
- Autistic-led insights on airport accessibility: A retrospective analysis of environmental assessments.Autism : the international journal of research and practice · 2025Article
- Development and Impact of a Communication Module on Eye Examination Testability Among Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disorders · 2025Article
- How healthcare systems are experienced by autistic adults in the United Kingdom: A meta-ethnography.Autism : the international journal of research and practice · 2024Review
- Autism-friendly eyecare: Developing recommendations for service providers based on the experiences of autistic adults.Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
purposePeople with autism face significant barriers when accessing healthcare services. Eye examinations present unique challenges. Accessibility of this healthcare sector for people with autism has not been investigated previously. The aim of this research was to investigate eye examination accessibility for autistic adults and produce recommendations for autism-friendly eyecare.
methodsTwo qualitative studies were conducted. In Study 1, 18 autistic adults took part in focus groups to elicit their eye examination experiences. Transcripts of the recorded discussions were thematically analysed. Study 1 findings were used to design autism-friendly eye examinations for autistic adults. These were conducted in Study 2. Twenty-four autistic adults participated in these examinations, during which they were interviewed about their experience and how it might be improved by reasonable modifications. Audio recordings of the interviews were content analysed.
resultsKnowledge of what to expect, in advance of the eye examination, could greatly reduce anxiety. Participants liked the logical structure of the examination, and the interesting instrumentation used. However, the examination and practice environment did include sensory challenges, due to lights, sound and touch. Changes in practice layout, and interacting with multiple staff members, was anxiety provoking. Participants expressed a need for thorough explanations from the optometrist that outlined the significance of each test, and what the patient was expected to do.
conclusionA number of accessiblity barriers were identified. These suggested that UK eye examinations are not very accessible for autistic adults. Barriers began at the point of booking the appointment and continued through to the dispensing of spectacles. These caused anxiety and stress for this population, but could be reduced with easy-to-implement adaptations. Based on the findings, recommendations are presented here for the whole eyecare team which suggest how more autism-friendly eye examinations can be provided.
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Registered trials
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