Visual Impairment [no comments]
Jul. 9th, 2012 01:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
doggiedynastyWill I be blind or visually impaired from my eye cancer?
Most people who have an eye cancer do NOT become blind or significantly visually impaired. Our visual function usually is described in terms of visual acuity and visual fields in BOTH eyes.
Visual acuity is expressed as a fraction; the top number refers to the distance you are from the eye chart (usually 20 feet). The bottom number indicates the distance at which a person with normal eyesight could read the line. For example, 20/40 means that the line you correctly read at 20 feet could be read by a person with normal vision at 40 feet. Normal visual acuity is 20/20.
Visual fields, or fields of vision, refers to the full extent of the area visible to an eye that is looking straight ahead. A normal visual field is 170 degrees.
A person is considered LEGALLY blind when the best corrected vision in BOTH eyes is 20/200 or more or if the visual field is 20 degrees or less. Low vision usually refers to those who have a visual acuity of 20/70 or worse in the better eye with correction. Many people with vision problems benefit from an evaluation at a Low Vision Center to learn about magnification aids, electronic reading technology, and print enhancing computer software.
My vision is 20/50 in my better eye. Is it okay for me to drive?
Driving laws vary from state to state and from country to country. In the State of Florida, drivers must have at least 20/40 vision in both eyes, with or without corrective lenses. If vision is 20/200 or worse in one eye, drivers must have 20/40 vision or better in the other eye. A doctor's referral may be required.
Remember, just because you can legally drive doesn't mean that it is safe for you to drive.
Most people who have an eye cancer do NOT become blind or significantly visually impaired. Our visual function usually is described in terms of visual acuity and visual fields in BOTH eyes.
Visual acuity is expressed as a fraction; the top number refers to the distance you are from the eye chart (usually 20 feet). The bottom number indicates the distance at which a person with normal eyesight could read the line. For example, 20/40 means that the line you correctly read at 20 feet could be read by a person with normal vision at 40 feet. Normal visual acuity is 20/20.
Visual fields, or fields of vision, refers to the full extent of the area visible to an eye that is looking straight ahead. A normal visual field is 170 degrees.
A person is considered LEGALLY blind when the best corrected vision in BOTH eyes is 20/200 or more or if the visual field is 20 degrees or less. Low vision usually refers to those who have a visual acuity of 20/70 or worse in the better eye with correction. Many people with vision problems benefit from an evaluation at a Low Vision Center to learn about magnification aids, electronic reading technology, and print enhancing computer software.
My vision is 20/50 in my better eye. Is it okay for me to drive?
Driving laws vary from state to state and from country to country. In the State of Florida, drivers must have at least 20/40 vision in both eyes, with or without corrective lenses. If vision is 20/200 or worse in one eye, drivers must have 20/40 vision or better in the other eye. A doctor's referral may be required.
Remember, just because you can legally drive doesn't mean that it is safe for you to drive.
