What does legally blind mean?
Legal blindness is defined as visual acuity of 20/200 or less in ones better eye with the best possible corrective lenses, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less of a normal field of 175 or 180 degrees. Visual acuity of 20/200 means that a person can see from 20 feet away what someone with 20/20 vision can see from a distance of 200 feet.
Only about 10 percent of all people with a severe visual impairment have no vision at all. The term “legally blind” describes a specific level of visual impairment that is considered sufficient to be entitled to certain protections and services, such as Social Security Disability Insurance, special rates on public transportation, and legal recourse under the Americans with Disabilities Act and similar laws. A “legally blind” person also cannot get a standard driver’s license.
