Though most people have heard the term “legally blind,” most don’t really know what it means. You may be surprised to know that legal blindness is a government standard, not a medical condition. If you’re legally blind, at risk to become legally blind, or have a family member who is legally blind, learn the definition of legal blindness, how it differs from low vision and blindness, and its causes.
If you have questions, contact All About Eyes for more information.
What Is Legal Blindness?
Legal blindness is the government’s standard for when a person is too impaired for certain activities (like driving) or when they qualify for disability benefits. The US Social Security Administration defines legal blindness as either eyesight that’s no better than 20/200 or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.
Having 20/200 vision means that a person’s eyesight is about 10 times worse than what’s considered standard for most people, which is 20/20 vision. In other words, a person with 20/200 vision would have to stand 20 feet from a sign in order to read it, when a person with normal vision could read it at 200 feet away.
People also qualify as legally blind if they have a visual field of 20 degrees or less—in other words, if they have tunnel vision. Usually, a person looking straight forward can see a full 180 degrees, allowing them to see objects to the left and right of them without moving their eyes. If someone can’t see a broad enough picture without moving his or her eyes from side to side, he or she qualifies as legally blind.
If you meet these standards without glasses or contacts, but you exceed them with your eye correction, then you don’t qualify as legally blind. In order to count, you can’t exceed these standards with your best eye while using your glasses.
How Does Legal Blindness Compare?
Legal blindness is not the same as total blindness or low vision (also called visual impairment). A person with total blindness cannot see anything—shapes or light—with either eye. On the other hand, a person with low vision may or may not be legally blind but has enough vision loss to interfere with his or her daily life. The general standard for low vision is visual acuity of 20/70 or worse, with corrective lenses.
Most people in the United States with vision loss are not totally blind or legally blind. Most have low vision. About 2.4 million people in the country have low vision, and about 1.3 million people are legally blind. However, even if a person isn’t legally blind or totally blind, vision loss still interferes with daily activities like reading, walking around, cooking, and driving.
What Causes Legal Blindness?
Legal blindness can have many causes. Some people are born with visual disabilities, making them legally blind from birth. However, the majority of legal blindness cases are caused by age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. All these diseases are more likely in older people, which means that the vast majority of people who are legally blind are over 40 years old.
If you’re worried that you’re at risk for becoming legally blind, talk to your eye doctor. Some causes of vision loss are preventable and treatable.
How Do People Cope With Legal Blindess?
If you’ve recently become legally blind, that doesn’t mean that your life has to stop. You face many challenges and you might feel depressed or frustrated, but you can live a fulfilling life. Legal blindness means that you qualify for government benefits like vocational training, disability benefits, low vision devices, and tax exemption programs. Additionally, organizations like the American Foundation for the Blind can offer help.
With these benefits, you can get back on your feet and re-learn how to get through your everyday life. With vision aids like magnifiers, you can still make use of the vision you have to get around independently. Additionally, many legally blind people use guide dogs to give them greater mobility—these animals aren’t just for the totally blind.
If your eye doctor has recently diagnosed you as legally blind and you need help, reach out to the American Foundation for the Blind to get started. These dedicated professionals can offer you the services and training you need to navigate your new world.
You may already know that you have vision loss. However, in order to get medical treatment or help dealing with your vision loss, reach out to an eye doctor. If you suspect you’re legally blind, you need a clinical diagnosis in order to become eligible for benefits.
All About Eyes can connect you with a doctor who understands the needs of patients with low vision. We have many locations, so search for the office closest to you to get started and call to set an appointment. We’re ready to help you understand and deal with your vision loss.