Is - 5.5 eyesight legally blind

Well, is - 5.5 eyesight legally blind, there are actually several different issues at work here, so a "Yes or No" answer is not possible. First: What does it mean to be " legally blind? But the trick here is not what you see "naturally" with your naked eyesbut how well you see with your glasses or contacts.

Visiting your optician or optometrist for an eye prescription, you may find yourself immersed in a new and unfamiliar world. While your eye doctor will walk you through it and try to explain as much as possible, you may find that you need particular answers on certain eye questions that you encounter in your life. One of those questions may center on this whole concept of legal blindness. Because of this, it is important to understand whether your eye prescription is considered legally blind. With this knowledge in hand, you can jump through some of these procedural hoops and obtain some of the available benefits if you are legally blind.

Is - 5.5 eyesight legally blind

You might think that recognising whether you are blind is a simple thing. Our eyes are one of the most complex systems in the whole of our bodies — maybe, even in the whole known universe. The result? Knowing whether or not you would qualify as legally blind can be more difficult than you might think. Around 2 million people in the UK are living with some level of sight loss — whether that be due to long-sightedness, short-sightedness, or astigmatism. Approximately , of them are also registered as legally blind or partially sighted. These examinations will assess the clarity or sharpness of your vision visual acuity and the quality of your visual field, including peripheral vision. The results of these two tests are then combined to determine whether you meet the criteria. This is where things get a little more complicated. If you score well on one test, the other aspect of your vision would need to be significantly poor for you to qualify as blind. For example, if you have a good visual acuity, your visual field will have to be severely compromised. Similarly, if you have all your visual field, your visual acuity will need to be very limited to meet the RNIB criteria for certification. Clearly, knowing yourself whether you would qualify as blind or partially sighted is no easy feat. However, finding out is a well-established and straightforward process.

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The U. Social Security Administration SSA uses this term to determine who is eligible for certain disability benefits, tax exemptions, and low-vision training. This means that a legally blind person has to stand 20 feet away from an object to see it clearly. People with normal vision can stand feet away from that same object and see it clearly. However, their peripheral vision is poor. People with normal vision have a lateral field view of almost degrees.

The U. Social Security Administration SSA uses this term to determine who is eligible for certain disability benefits, tax exemptions, and low-vision training. This means that a legally blind person has to stand 20 feet away from an object to see it clearly. People with normal vision can stand feet away from that same object and see it clearly. However, their peripheral vision is poor. People with normal vision have a lateral field view of almost degrees. This means they can simultaneously see objects located directly to their left or right. If your visual field is only 20 degrees, your peripheral vision is reduced drastically.

Is - 5.5 eyesight legally blind

The United States has had a legal definition of blindness since the mids. Beyond a total inability to see, this definition helps establish a level of vision loss that might result in the inability to perform certain everyday tasks without assistance. According to the National Eye Institute , in about 1 million Americans were legally blind and approximately 3. They estimate that the number of people in the U. This basically means that even with corrective lenses or surgery, to clearly see an object that a person with normal vision could see from feet away, you would have to be 20 feet or closer.

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Visual field testing often begins with a confrontational visual field test. This is where things get a little more complicated. A "hit and run" ophthalmologist might go ahead and do it, knowing s he will be long gone before that problem arises. Third: Let us say your These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data. This means they can simultaneously see objects located directly to their left or right. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. Trevor Woodhams, M. During that test, you may be considered legally blind if your peripheral vision is about 20 degrees or less. Or, your degree field allows for seeing only right in front of you. These include:.

It is a definition used to help the government determine which individuals are eligible to receive disability benefits.

By Troy Bedinghaus, OD. Frequently Asked Questions What prescription is considered legally blind? The leading reasons: age-related conditions such as cataracts , glaucoma , and macular degeneration. This happens when the proteins in the lens clump together, making it difficult to see clearly. Eye prescriptions change slowly over time. National Library of Medicine, Amblyopia is also called a lazy eye. Do I Need Glasses? We are committed to protecting your eyesight. Frankie says:. Veronika, with seven years of writing experience, is a content writer at Vision Center.