What does legally blind mean?

Answer 1

Legal blindness definitions vary but most commonly, if someone is registered legally blind they have visual acuity of 20/200 (6/60) or less in the better eye with best correction possible. Someone with average visual acuity may also be registered legally blind if ther visual field is less than 20 degress (around 180 degrees is normal) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- When one's eyesight is so bad that it cannot be corrected back to at least 20/40 vision, but can still see light and shapes, then one is considered legally blind. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Some people have vision at all and they are of cause blind however, other people may always have had some vision or started out with vision that is now starting.

There has to be some objective measure for these people which distinguishes them form people with just poor vision and allows them access to extra services to help them if they need it.

The usual standard is that anyone with vision worse than 0/200 that cannot be improved with corrective lenses is considered legally blind. In addition, people with a visual field of less than 20 degrees diameter (10 degrees radius) are also considered legally blind.