What Prescription Strength is Considered Legally Blind?
Legally blind individuals have a visual acuity that is significantly impaired, making it difficult for them to perform everyday tasks without assistance. One of the key factors used to determine legal blindness is the prescription strength required to correct vision. But what prescription strength is considered legally blind? This article explores this topic and sheds light on the criteria used to define legal blindness based on prescription strength.
Visual acuity is measured on a scale called the Snellen chart, which ranges from 20/20 (normal vision) to 20/200 (legally blind). The prescription strength required to correct vision is determined by the number of diopters needed to bring the visual acuity up to 20/20. For instance, a person with 20/40 vision would need a prescription of -2.00 diopters to achieve 20/20 vision.
When it comes to legally blind individuals, the prescription strength required to correct vision is generally higher than 20/200. According to the United States Social Security Administration (SSA), an individual is considered legally blind if they have a corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less in their better eye, or if their better eye has a visual acuity of 20/200 or less with a correction not better than 20/200 in the other eye.
For example, if a person has a corrected visual acuity of 20/400 in their better eye, they would be considered legally blind. Similarly, if their better eye has a visual acuity of 20/200, but their other eye requires a correction of -8.00 diopters or more to achieve 20/200 vision, they would also be classified as legally blind.
It is important to note that prescription strength alone is not the sole determinant of legal blindness. Other factors, such as the field of vision and the ability to perform certain tasks, also play a role in the classification. However, prescription strength remains a crucial factor in assessing the level of visual impairment and determining eligibility for various benefits and accommodations.
In conclusion, the prescription strength considered legally blind is generally higher than 20/200. This threshold is used to determine the extent of visual impairment and to provide appropriate support and resources for individuals with significant visual disabilities. Understanding the criteria for legal blindness can help raise awareness and promote better support for those affected by visual impairments.
