When Is Vision Loss Considered a Disability by Social Security?

 Posted on April 10, 2023 in Social Security Disability

Visual impairment or vision loss is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, about 36 million people are either blind or have severe vision problems. Vision loss can be caused by many different factors, such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, or glaucoma, to name a few.

For many individuals suffering from vision loss, the condition can be debilitating, impacting daily activities such as reading, driving, navigating a person's home and community, and performing work-related tasks. Fortunately, Social Security disability benefits are available to help those affected individuals who are unable to work due to vision impairments. However, it is important to understand when vision loss qualifies for these benefits.

How Social Security Measures Vision Loss to Determine Whether a Person Is Disabled

To qualify for Social Security disability benefits due to vision loss, a person must meet specific criteria. Social Security defines legal blindness as having a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in their better eye with correction or a field of vision that is less than 20 degrees in the better eye. If a person's vision meets either of these requirements, they are considered legally blind, and they may be automatically eligible for disability benefits.

If a person's vision does not meet the criteria for legal blindness, their condition may still be considered a disability by Social Security if it has impacted their ability to work. Social Security will assess a person's ability to work based on a few factors, such as whether they are able to do the types of work they have done in the past and whether their limitations will affect their ability to work in other jobs. If a person can demonstrate that they are unable to secure gainful employment due to vision impairments, they may be approved for disability benefits.

It is also important to note that Social Security may consider other impairments that have affected a person when assessing whether they are eligible for disability benefits. If other medical conditions have impacted a person's ability to work in combination with their vision loss, Social Security may also take these conditions into account when making a decision. For example, if a person has both vision loss and a back injury that makes it difficult to stand or walk for long periods of time, the combination of these factors may affect their ability to work, and if they can demonstrate that they cannot maintain employment, they may be approved for disability benefits.

Those who may be eligible for disability benefits due to vision loss will need to gather as much medical evidence as possible. This may include records from eye doctors and any other physicians or specialists who have performed tests or treatments related to vision loss. Social Security will want to ensure that a condition is well-documented to determine whether it has truly limited a person's ability to work.

Contact Our Collin County SSD Benefits Attorneys for Vision Loss

Blindness or significant vision loss can be a difficult impairment to live with. If you have experienced visual impairments that have affected your ability to work, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. At The Law Offices of Coats & Todd, our Plano Social Security disability lawyers can help you determine whether you qualify for benefits. We can assist with the application process, ensuring that you can receive the financial assistance you need. Contact us at 972-671-9922 to schedule a free case evaluation.

Sources:

https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/2.00-SpecialSensesandSpeech-Adult.ht

https://cureblindness.org/news/latest-global-estimates-of-the-prevalence-of-blindness-published