Is cataract a visual impairment?
Although cataract is relatively easily, safely, and cost-efficiently treatable, and in spite of the increasing rates of cataract surgery,1 cataract is still the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment worldwide, especially in developing countries.
What vision do you lose with cataracts?
Cataract Symptom: Blurry Vision Blurry vision at any distance is the most common symptom of cataracts. Your view may look foggy, filmy, or cloudy. Over time, as the cataracts get worse, less light reaches the retina. People with cataracts may have an especially hard time seeing and driving at night.
What is considered vision impairment?
Visual impairment is often defined as a best corrected visual acuity of worse than either 20/40 or 20/60. The term blindness is used for complete or nearly complete vision loss.
Is vision impairment a disability?
If your vision is 20/200, or legally blind, you may qualify for disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers “legal” or “statutory” blindness as a qualified disability.
What happens if cataract is left untreated?
Over time, cataracts become worse and start to interfere with vision. Important skills can be affected, such as driving, and loss of vision can affect the overall quality of life in many ways including reading, working, hobbies and sports. If left untreated, cataracts will eventually cause total blindness.
Is a visual impairment a disability?
If a consultant ophthalmologist has registered an individual as blind or partially sighted, then they will automatically meet the definition of a disabled person under the Equality Act (2010).
Can I get disability for cataracts?
Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Cataracts To see if you may qualify, you can consult the Social Security Blue Book, which lists all SSA-approved disabilities. Cataracts has the potential to qualify under Section 2.00: “Special Senses and Speech” under a variety of vision-based listings.
What are the signs of visual impairment?
Signs and Symptoms of Possible Vision Problems
- Severe, sudden eye pain.
- Recurrent pain in or around the eye.
- Hazy, blurred, or double vision.
- Seeing flashes of light or sudden bright floating spots.
- Seeing rainbows or halos around lights.
- Seeing floating “spider webs”
- Seeing a “curtain coming down” over one eye.