What is Legal Blindness?

Legal blindness is a specific concept or term that delineates a defined level of visual impairment carrying legal implications. This often leads to the provision of services, benefits, and a range of potential accommodations for those falling within the designated category. If you have inquiries about your personal vision or if it's time for your routine eye exam, reach out to our ophthalmologists at Seeta Eye. We have two convenient laser eye surgery locations in Poughkeepsie and Yorktown Heights, NY.

Understanding Legal Blindness

First and foremost, it's crucial to recognize that the term "legal blindness" refers to a legal definition that is not solely dependent on clinical or medical criteria. Serving as the threshold for qualifying for disability, vocational support, or other accommodations, legal blindness systematically aids individuals with visual impairments in overcoming challenges in their personal and professional lives.

In the United States, legal or statutory blindness is determined by one's visual acuity—how clearly a person can see at a specific distance. While most people are familiar with the concept of normal vision as 20/20, legal blindness is defined as:

1. Having vision no better than 20/200 in your better eye, even with corrective lenses like glasses or contact lenses. A visual acuity of 20/200 implies that an individual with this level of vision needs to be at a distance of 20 feet to experience the same level of visual clarity as someone with normal vision would at a distance of 200 feet. Furthermore, even with corrective lenses, individuals can only read the top or first letter on the Snellen vision chart.

2. Having a restricted visual field of only 20 degrees or fewer in your better eye.

It's important to note that legal blindness doesn't signify complete loss of vision. Individuals who are legally blind still retain the ability to perceive light and darkness to some extent; however, their sight is insufficient for carrying out daily activities. Certain conditions, such as cataracts, diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc., can lead to visual impairments severe enough to qualify for legal blindness.

Choose Seeta Eye for Your Eye Care Needs

Legal blindness need not hinder you from living a fulfilling life; however, self-diagnosis of this condition is not advisable. Reach out to one of the Hudson Valley's prominent ophthalmologists. Contact Seeta Eye today at 845-454-1025 (Poughkeepsie) or 845-440-1175 (Yorktown Heights), or visit us online.