Blind VS Legally Blind (What is Legal Blindness)

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Legal blindness is defined as the best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better seeing eye; or a visual field limitation such that the widest diameter of the visual field, in the better eye, is no greater than 20 degrees.

If you are experiencing any vision loss or blindness please consult your local eye doctor for guidance on accessing low vision services.

Low Vision Resources for the blind

⏰ Time Stamps 🎉
0:00 Blind Vs Legally Blind
1:19 What is Legal Blindness
1:37 Legally Blind Vision
1:56 What legally blind looks like
2:42 Partially Sighted (loss of visual field)
3:58 Legal Blindness Simulation
5:15 Documenting Blindness
6:29 Low Vision Aids
7:37 Dealing with Vision Loss
8:11 Orcam MyEye
9:46 World Sight Day

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#legalblindness #worldsightday #Doctoreyehealth

About this video: Ever wondered about the difference between legal blindness vs blind? In this video, Joseph J. Allen, OD FAAO discusses whats legal blindness and what legal blindness looks like. If you or a family member have partial blindness or think you have a blindness disability, this video should help with better understanding vision loss and the definition of legal blindness. This video also discusses low vision treatment options including magnification, rehabilitation and new technology for the blind. For more information, please consult your local eye care provider or low vision specialist.

[DoctorEyeHealth]

Happy World Sight Day 2021! What are some things you a grateful for today?

[dianewebb]

I had a teacher who was blind. She had a good way of explaining to a sighted person what being blind is like. She posed the question, "What is it like to not be able to see through your elbow?" We can't imagine that because we have no frame of reference. Therefore it's just nothing.

[ChakkaYashwanth]

I highly appreciate the way you took the temperament of this video (mild, mellow) without getting excited, exuberant or displaying heavy emotions because of the nature of topic. This shows how much respectful you are to a blind and how grateful you are to god for vision. Very proud to be your subscriber.

[tracydeyhle]

This was very interesting to me. Back on Aug. 27, I had a freak accident which ultimately caused me to have to have my right eye removed. There was not only no improvement, but I was in terrible pain for over 2 months. Removing the eye was basically the only choice. Prior to that, over 15 yrs ago, I was diagnosed with a disease in both eyes, (Pelucid Marginal Degeneration) which led to corneal transplants in both eyes and then becoming legally blind in both. Lucky for me, the freak accident occurred in my right eye which was the worst of the 2 at 20/400. Now I am left with one eye and the vision in that one is 20/200. Yes, I do have a lot of challenges, however, I am thankful I still have a bit of visions left in my left eye.

[Reigninsuds]

I’m legally blind and have 20/60 Vision in my “good eye”. People will hear that and think i’m faking blindness or that I could just get glasses. Very frustrating having to explain the nuances, but I think you do a very good job at filling in those gaps. Though other factors like photophobia, depth perception, Night vision play a huge role that aren’t measurable and unique to every individual dealing with visual disabilities.

[caraziegel]

My husband was legally blind until somewhere around high school - his situation improved on its own. He's not super communicative (just personality) - but I remember beign shocked that he would actually keep his glasses on as a toddler - so many people say its nearly impossible to get kids to keep their glasses on - but for him even as a toddler, the difference was worth it.

he had stories about running in to trees and cars as a kid - its crazy. But had had been offered surgery and refused because of the fear of losing the vision he had. His eyes continued to improve until recently - we are in our 50s (and met in our 30s)

anyways, I appreciate hearing about these definitions - my husband just doesnt talk about things much but I feel like this helps me understand a bit more.

[ncburton]

As a visually impaired individual I'm so happy to see someone cover this topic. I've come across so many people that can't get their heads around the fact that I have usable vision. They tend to think I'm either faking my impairment, I just haven't gotten the right glasses, or haven't had the right eye care in general. It'd be nice if general knowledge about vision loss was more wide spread. I think TV and movies are a big part of the misconceptions about blindess. Whenever you see someone with vision loss in movies or TV shows it's usually presented as the person being totally blind. I can't think of one blind character that had any usable vision or even light perception. It sucks too because since so many people seem to think that you either have normal vision or nothing, there are way to many times that I have to fake being totally blind just to get the help that I need.

Talking technology, there are so many cool things being created. Just comparing the tech we have now versus when I was a kid in the 80's is huge. Too bad some of the really cool stuff is so expensive and out of budget for someone like my on an $800 a month disability income. Still, the tech I do have and advances in medical science had helped slow the progression of my eye condition. My mom has the same eye condition as I do (congenital aniridia with nystagmus and macular hypoplasia) and I have more vision that she did at my age. Also my vision is, relatively stable, whereas my mom's vision is mostly light and motion perception now. Technology has definitely made a big difference. It'll be interesting to see what other cool things will come from it.

[michelledes_de_prmolina]

I have nanopthalmos (dwarf eye causing me to be a 800 in both eyes) and so I wear bifocals and have trouble seeing even with contacts or glasses.However, I am thankful for what I do have at least but it is such a challenge to have most doctors not be familiar with my condition or know how to help fully since it is more rare. Many with nano usually look like we can see which is probably why people don't get the severity of it. Hopefully maybe one day there can be videos on this condition since it leaves many of us legally blind even with glasses or contacts. Thank you for your work and channel

[sharmilasoomair]

I found this video very interesting. I am grateful for my glasses and YouTube so that I can see and learn so much about healthy eyes. Happy World Sight Day to you Dr Allen.

[rv]

My daughter went completely blind at a young age due to a brain tumour. There is a HUGE difference in quality of life between someone with no light perception at all and someone with some vision, even if legally blind. Circadian rhythm, social interactions, mobility, all impacted very differently. That being said, if you're going to go blind, best to do it as young as possible so you have time to adapt, we are grateful for that.

[TheSirensFire]

The timing of this...I was just diagnosed with having retinitis pigmentosa. And yeah a bit scared and uncertain about the future, especially with just having a baby and already being hearing impaired too.

[lizardking]

I had a retinal detachment so I can't see anything from that eye. My other is probably on its way out also. Sucks having so many eye issues and knowing nothing will fix it.

[tokiimori]

As a legally blind person myself (I’m not anymore due to surgery and am now 20/70) I really appreciate people talking about this topic! I think it’s really important and a lot of people take their vision for granted as well as being able to drive which I am still unable to do. I’m grateful for what I have and since I was legally blind since birth it’s hard to realize how much you couldn’t see until you can see :)

[katelandking]

I’ve been dealing with keratoconus since I was 13 I’m now 32 all these videos are so informative to know and listen to over and over!

[gatchahumandisabled]

I’m so happy I stumbled upon this! I have optic nerve hypnoplasa. It is really difficult to see small letters. I’m only 15 and training with a white cane. I have a lot of trouble seeing size 11 font on my chromebook without making it bigger.

[KhalilAbuthiyab]

Because of my ignorance, I first eye exam was when I was 15 (about 2 years ago), and on that test I discovered that my prescription was -6 in the right and -5 in the left eye, it was bad enough to make the doctor give me a glasses with -4 R -3 L prescription to get used to the eyesight (because jumping to -6 is a big jump), and from that day and I felt that I am semi blind (because of my dependence on my glasses).

This video made me for the first in the past 2 year appreciate that I am not really blind.

Thank you for literally opening my ayes on something I didn't know.

[xminusone]

I'm a "legally blind" person and back in 2003, my girlfriend was also a blind person. She had only one eye and the one she still had wasn't very good. People used to ask us any kind of weirds questions. I'm glad that you explain that.

[angelawrightmsncc]

I am grateful for the sight that I have. I also thank you for doing these educational videos. I have ocular albinism and nystagmus. I have been legally blind since birth, but it is not stopping me from living a full life. Another thing that I am grateful for.

[jakefairley]

I have no issues with my eyesight, or previous interest in the topic
But for some reason I find your videos extremely enjoyable and interesting, you make for a great teacher

[girlnotoftheworld]

At my last eye exam I had 20/200 in both eyes and the doctor was stunned because he couldn't identify a cause. I am certain my vision got worse over the years but as a mother and a wife I learned to fake it until I make it but I silently fall into tears at times because I really don't think that even if they knew how bad off I am they would truly care