Legal Blindness Definition in the United States
Yes, "legal blindness in the USA" and "being legally blind" refer to the exact same definition and are interchangeable terms.
Standard Definition
Legal blindness in the United States is defined as best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better-seeing eye, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less. 1
Visual Acuity Criteria
- Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/200 or worse in the better eye constitutes legal blindness 1
- This measurement must be taken with optimal refractive correction (glasses or contact lenses) 1
- The criterion applies to the better-seeing eye, not both eyes 1
Visual Field Criteria
- A visual field restriction to 20 degrees or less also qualifies as legal blindness, regardless of visual acuity 1
- This is sometimes called "tunnel vision"
Distinction from Visual Impairment
It's important to understand that legal blindness is distinct from visual impairment:
- Visual impairment is defined as best corrected visual acuity worse than 20/40 but better than 20/200 1
- An estimated 2.91 million persons aged 60 years or older had visual impairment in 2015 1
- An estimated 760,000 persons aged 60 years or older met criteria for legal blindness in 2015 1
Clinical Implications
Legal blindness significantly impacts quality of life, including reduced ability to perform activities of daily living, work, drive safely, and increased risk of falls and unintentional injuries. 1
The terminology "legal blindness" versus "being legally blind" represents no clinical difference—both terms describe the identical threshold used for disability determination, social services eligibility, and legal purposes in the United States.