Objective-To determine what contact people with mental handicap had had with their general practitioner in the previous year; what prescribed drugs they were taking and whether these had been reviewed; when hearing and vision had last been screened; and what medical problems were found on examination.Design-Case series. Setting-Day centre for adults with mental handicap.Subjects-A balanced sample of 75 of the 150 people attending the day centre. 10 Were excluded because consent was not given.Results-The subjects did not consult their general practitioners more frequently than the general population but were more likely to be taking prescribed drugs, and 57% ofthese prescriptions had not been reviewed by a doctor. Thirty three people failed vision screening, including 13 who wore glasses. Twenty seven of the 62 who were testable had a hearing impairment.Conclusions-As only eight out of 65 people examined in the study did not have an appreciable problem brought to light, screening seems to be worth while. Whether such screening needs to be done by a medically qualified person needs further research.

A prospective study screening for visual impairment in a day centre for people with a mental handicap showed that 30% required spectacles or registration as blind or partially-sighted and a further 20% had previously unknown pathology. Carers were not reliable in identifying visual problems in their charges, and routine screening should be encouraged. High Street optometrists should be able to measure visual acuity in the individuals in this sample excluding those cared for in special care units for whom screening may be less beneficial.