In 2016 SeeAbility appointed Ned Saunders as the charity’s first, full-time dispensing optician working with children with learning disabilities and autism. Working in special schools, Ned’s uses his expertise to choose, fit and customise specialist frames for children with learning disabilities, developing creative approaches to encourage children to wear their glasses happily.

He explains: “Building trust is crucial. Going from a blurry world to suddenly being able to see in sharp detail can be overwhelming. That’s why we work with families and teachers to help children adapt to wearing glasses. The right glasses can help children to lead healthier, more independent lives, that’s why what we do at SeeAbility is so important.”

Kiyana is just one of the children Ned has helped. A lively, fun-loving little girl, can now see her world more clearly thanks to SeeAbility. Like many children with Down’s syndrome, Kiyana is long-sighted. Regular frames didn’t fit at her temples and constantly slipped off her face. But Ned found a lightweight frame with an adjustable bridge that fits perfectly on her nose.

Kiyana’s mum, Dee, says: “SeeAbility did a fantastic job finding just the right glasses for Kiyana. She looks after them all by herself, keeping them clean and putting them away in their case properly.