Re: What is considered legally blind?

Posted By Hannah on June 07, 1999 at 10:42:59
I know a thirteen year old girl who asked me what the vision
thing was to be considered legally blind. I wasn't sure-she said
the doctor told her that her vision without glasses or contacts
was 20/400-the girl is extremely nearsighted and has astigmatism
in one eye, I think.
Is she legelly blind?

[HFHS M.D.-NI]

Posted By hfhs md - NI on June 07, 1999 at 10:49:57
Hannah,
The definition of legal blindness is a legal and not medical one.  The definition changes according to jurisdiction but usually involves a combination of visual acuity and visual field.  The most common definition for visual acuity is best corrected vision of worse than 20/400 in each eye.  This does not include someone with poor vision without glasses but better vision with glasses as their best corrected vision is what is important.  Visual field definitions vary but people can have 20/20 vision and be legally blind because their tunnel vision is so bad.











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What is considered legally blind? Hannah 6/07/1999
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