What is a Legally Blind Prescription?
The term "legally blind prescription" isn't a standard medical term. There's no specific prescription written for "legal blindness." Instead, a prescription reflects the individual's visual impairment, and legal blindness is a definition based on visual acuity and field of vision. Let's break down what that means.
What does "legally blind" mean?
Legal blindness is a legal definition, not a medical one. It describes the level of vision impairment that qualifies an individual for certain benefits and services. In the United States, the definition generally means:
- Visual acuity: 20/200 or worse in the better eye with correction (meaning even with glasses or contact lenses, the person sees at 20 feet what a person with normal vision sees at 200 feet).
- Field of vision: A field of vision of 20 degrees or less. This means the person's peripheral vision is severely restricted.
Someone might have one of these conditions, or both, to be considered legally blind. The specific criteria can vary slightly depending on the organization or government agency.
What kind of prescription might someone with legal blindness have?
The prescription itself will depend entirely on the individual's specific visual impairment. A person considered legally blind could have a range of prescriptions, including:
- High-powered glasses or contact lenses: These might correct some vision, but they won't bring sight up to 20/20.
- No correction needed: Some individuals with legal blindness may have no benefit from corrective lenses.
- Prescription for low vision aids: These are specialized devices and techniques designed to help people with low vision maximize their remaining sight. These might not be part of a traditional eyeglass prescription.
What about prescriptions for low vision aids?
A low vision specialist will assess the individual's visual needs and prescribe appropriate aids. These can include:
- Magnifiers: Handheld, stand, or electronic magnifiers to enlarge print or images.
- Telescopes: To enhance distance vision.
- Large print materials: Books, newspapers, etc. in larger fonts.
- Adaptive technology: Screen readers, voice recognition software, and other assistive technologies for computers and mobile devices.
These aids aren't typically part of a traditional eyeglass prescription but are essential for many legally blind individuals to improve their quality of life and independence.
How is legal blindness determined?
An ophthalmologist or optometrist performs a comprehensive eye examination to assess visual acuity and field of vision. Based on the results, they can determine whether an individual meets the criteria for legal blindness.
What benefits are available to legally blind individuals?
Legal blindness status can open up access to various benefits and services, including:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Provides financial assistance.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Provides financial assistance for low-income individuals.
- Tax benefits: Reduced taxes on certain items.
- Assistive technology: Funding for adaptive equipment and technologies.
- Specialized transportation: Access to accessible transportation options.
In summary, there's no such thing as a "legally blind prescription." Instead, the prescription reflects the individual's unique visual impairment. The term "legally blind" refers to a level of visual impairment that qualifies someone for specific benefits and services. A comprehensive eye examination is necessary to determine an individual's visual acuity and field of vision, leading to appropriate prescriptions and access to resources.
