Definition of Legal Blindness:
Legal blindness refers to the criteria set by law to determine the level of visual impairment that constitutes a significant limitation in an individual’s ability to perform daily activities. It is important to note that legal blindness is a legal term and may not always correlate with total blindness.
Subcategories of Legal Blindness:
- Low Vision: Low vision refers to individuals with visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/200, even with the use of corrective lenses. These individuals may have difficulty seeing detail, distinguishing colors, or perceiving contrast.
- Profound Visual Impairment: Profound visual impairment refers to individuals with visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better eye, even with the use of corrective lenses. These individuals typically have severely limited vision and may rely on alternative techniques, such as braille or assistive technology, for daily function.
- Visual Field Loss: Visual field loss refers to individuals with a limited field of vision, known as tunnel vision. Their visual field may be constricted to a certain degree, obstructing peripheral vision.
It is crucial to consult the specific legal guidelines of a particular jurisdiction to determine the exact criteria for a person to be considered legally blind in that region.