| As We See It! What Does "Legally Blind" Actually Mean? By Lynda Jones | 
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| All people who are totally blind are legally blind, but all people who are legally blind are not totally blind. Confusing? Legal blindness is defined in two ways: 1) 20/200 best correction in better eye. Simply put, this means the individual who is legally blind must be within 20 feet to see an object someone with normal vision sees at 200 feet. |
| The second definition is a bit more complicated. A person whose peripheral vision is blocked except for a 20 degree angle in the center is legally blind. His vision may be 20/20 in the center, but the area is no wider than the view through a drinking straw. This is commonly called tunnel vision. More than 75% of people who are legally blind have some usable vision, but it may be blurry like looking through a dirty windshield.
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This is an example of what tunnel vision would look like for someone with glaucoma
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| Others may have no central vision at all, making it difficult to read without magnification, but can see to get around quite well using their peripheral vision. Still others may have splotchy vision as if something is constantly obstructing parts of their view. Some people recognize faces at a close distance and use various types of magnifiers to read and do other tasks. People with tunnel vision may recognize a friend across the room but without mobility training may stumble over a chair trying to get to the friend. |
| Individuals with low vision perform almost all tasks using their vision, but find many activities easier by following Three Simple Tips: - Some find increasing the size of the print, picture, sewing machine needle, etc. through magnification increases success.
- Other tasks are made easier by adding background contrast, i.e. slicing a red tomato on a white cutting board or white onion on a dark one or playing with black dominoes on a light table cloth. Lighting is very important for the person with low vision.
- Some people need strong concentrated light while others prefer very little light.
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Lynda Jones
Public Awareness Specialist
Lighthouse of the Big Bend | The Lighthouse wants residents of the Big Bend who may be dealing with vision impairment to know that there is life after vision loss--exciting, meaningful, independent life--just a phone call away! For more information contact the Lighthouse of the Big Bend (850) 942-3658 or check-out the websitewww.lighthousebigbend.org. |
