What does it mean to be legally blind?

legal blindness is the term used by the government to to decide who has eligibility for certain vocational training, rehabilitation, schooling, disability benefits and low vision devices. This therefore implies that being legally blind doesn’t necessarily mean functionally blind.
It is not the same as being totally blind.

If you are completely blind, it means you can’t perceive any light or form. however, If you’re legally blind, you can still see but may not be that clear.

A person with normal vision can read up to line 20/20 on a snellen VA chart and a person that is legally blind will have a VA of 20/200 or less in your better eye or your field of vision is less than 20 degrees ( from the center of vision to the top, bottom, right and left) even with the best correction glasses or aid.

That means if an object is placed 200 feet away, a legally blind person will have to stand 20 feet from it in order to see it clearly while a person with normal vision can stand 200 feet away and see that object perfectly, Click here to read more about visual acuity.

What could cause someone to be legally blind?

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD)
• Cataracts
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Glaucoma.
• Optic neuropathy.
• Keratoconus

 

Things you can do if you are legally blind!

• You can still cook.
• Manage your medications.
• Do your favorite craft projects.
• Preparing meals.
• Managing your finances.
• You can still read.
•  You can still work.

In summary, you can still enjoy life even if you are legally blind or functionally blind with the help of available visual aids for low vision patients.

We recommend you always get a periodic eye examination to prevent conditions that may result into low vision leading to legal blindness or functional blindness

SUPREME VISION EYE CLINIC
Your Vision, Our Vision

2, Bouar Close, Off Bangui Street, Off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent Wuse 2, Abuja.

Tel: +234 808 586 1111