The search query “can you be illegally blind” stems from a misunderstanding of the official designation: “legally blind.” This status is defined for administrative purposes, not as a medical diagnosis of total vision loss. It establishes a threshold for severe visual impairment, determining eligibility for various government benefits and services.
Understanding Legal Blindness
The designation of legal blindness is a statutory definition established by government agencies, such as the Social Security Administration. It is not synonymous with total blindness, technically known as “no light perception.” Only about 15% of individuals with severe visual impairment experience total blindness.
Legal blindness is an administrative classification used to determine eligibility for support. This status acknowledges severe vision impairment, making daily tasks difficult even with corrective lenses. A legally blind person often retains some functional sight, such as the ability to distinguish between light and dark or see shapes at a close distance.
The Visual Acuity Requirements
To be designated as legally blind in the United States, an individual must meet one of two specific ophthalmological criteria in their better-seeing eye, even with corrective lenses. The first criterion is based on central visual acuity, which measures the sharpness of vision when looking straight ahead. This requires a visual acuity of 20/200 or less.
The fraction 20/200 means the individual must stand 20 feet away to clearly see an object that a person with normal vision sees from 200 feet away. This measurement is determined using a Snellen eye chart or similar standardized testing device. The second criterion involves a limitation in the visual field, which is the entire area a person can see without moving their eyes.
A person qualifies if their visual field is restricted to an angle of 20 degrees or less. This condition is often described as “tunnel vision,” where peripheral vision is severely limited, even if central visual acuity is better than 20/200. Meeting either the central visual acuity standard or the restricted visual field standard in the better eye with correction establishes legal blindness.
Practical Significance of the Designation
The status of legal blindness carries significant real-world implications by unlocking access to various benefits and accommodations. Government agencies use this standard to determine eligibility for programs supporting individuals with severe vision loss. This includes financial support, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The designation also provides access to specific tax exemptions and deductions designed to offset the costs associated with visual impairment. Furthermore, it is the pathway to receiving specialized educational services, vocational training, and workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Meeting this threshold typically restricts an individual’s ability to obtain a standard driver’s license. The recognition allows access to essential resources, including low-vision devices and services like audible books.