How do you define "legally blind?"

Factual Questions
1

My mother tells me her father was declared (?) legally blind. He wore thick glasses and all.

So this morning, I went to the store wearing just my (non-prescription) sunglasses - no contacts, no glasses. I was able to function, because I was in a familiar area, but the question came upon me: am I legally blind?

Without contacts or glasses, I can only see about a foot in front of me, at best (maybe even just six inches). Everything else is shapes and colors. I could certainly not drive or go to work without my contacts in.

Also, I’ve been having problems reading things, so I have to get up close to whatever I’m reading. Do I need reading glasses now? I’m only 30. That would be sad.

2

“Without contacts or glasses…” is the key. One is legally blind if his or her best **uncorrected ** vision in the ** better ** eye is 20/200 or worse. As long as your vision in one of your eyes is corrected to better than 20/200, you are not legally blind, unless you have a very severe restriction of field vision (tunnel vision). The formula for computing whether someon who has vision in at least one eye correctable to better than 20/200 but who has tunnel vision is legally blind is quite complicated. I can look it up if you insist.

You have trouble reading even with your glasses on? Perhaps you need a stronger prescription. It would be very unusual for you, at age 30, to have presbyopia; however, you really should see your eye doctor.

3

OK, I had a few moments, so I dug up the tunnel vision stuff: Contraction of peripheral visual fields in the better eye.

A. To 10° or less from the point of fixation; or

B. So the widest diameter subtends an angle no greater than 20°; or

C. To 20 percent or less visual field efficiency.

Loss of visual efficiency. Visual efficiency of better eye after best correction 20 percent or less. (The percent of remaining visual efficiency=the product of the percent of remaining central visual efficiency and the percent of remaining visual field efficiency.)

4

All I can say is that without contacts or glasses, I couldn’t find my way around town. I was able to go to the store because it’s a familiar route. However, were I to come across anyone I knew, I wouldn’t recognize them, no matter how familiar.

As for reading glasses, much as I’d hate to have to have to use them, I’ll consult my eye doctor.

Thanks.

5

My best friend, who is legally blind is like this with his glasses on, if that gives you a better idea.

6

What I want to know is how does one know if he is legally bald.

7

Well sailor, I guess that would depend on to what degree it’s correctable.

8

The president of the hair club for men told me they don’t do miracles and referred me to the Pope in Rome as my only hope.