Question 1

what is legal blindness?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Legal blindness has several definitions with some variation depending upon the state and the agency in question.  Generally a corrected vision of 20/200 or less is legal blindness such as for income tax purposes.  Generally a field of vision of less than 10 degrees is legal blindness.  All these definitions are bilateral - a blind eye next to a normal eye is not legal blindness.

Question 2

is there any upsides to legal blindness?

Accepted Answer

A few: If you are legally blind you will develop your other senses better.  You will make different and sometimes interesting friends and most will appreciate your personality and wit.  You will save money on eyeglasses and contact lenses.  You will be eligible for tax discounts, public accomodations, and assistance for the handicapped.

Question 3

what is the definition or description of: legal blindness?

Accepted Answer

See below.: This is a legal, not medical, term.  

A typical definition is visual acuity that is 20/200 or less in the best eye that has the best possible glasses or contact lens prescription in place, and/or constriction of the visual field to less than 10 degrees from centration in both eyes.

Note that the defintion requires that glasses or contact lenses be used when the vision is tested.

Question 4

are there any side effects or risks to treatment of legal blindness?

Accepted Answer

Broad question: There are several treatments for legal blindness dependent on the cause. If it is due to corneal disease, then risks are low. If due to retinal etiology then current treatments have a higher risk. If due to a central etiology (brain) then treatments at this time are limited with low yield. Can you be specific of the cause of the legal blindness? Current clinical trials that may help you are availa.

Question 5

how is it that children could not take colour blind tests?

Accepted Answer

Who said so ?: Children under school age do not all have the level of understanding  to do the standard ishihara plates to screen for color deficiencies.Those that are older do. It is available (i can do it ) but seldom requested. I don't believe i've had more than 1 or 2 requests in 3 decades.

Question 6

what causes blindness in children in africa?

Accepted Answer

Vit A deficiency,etc: Children in africa can be blinded by vitamin a deficiency, onchocerciasis, sometimes malaria, trachoma, injuries, congenital defects some of which might be corrected in a first world country like cataracts at birth, glaucoma, uveitis and a host of other conditions.

Question 7

can all children who suffer scarlett fever often go blind later in their lives?

Accepted Answer

Never seen it happen: I have treated many over the years and have never seen or heard of this happening as a result of "scarlet fever". Today with rapid diagnosis and treatment of strep  infections we see fewer complications of the disease. The scarlet rash produced by some strains of group a strep has been relegated to a visual curiosity. It no longer means things will be worse for this episode of strep, it is the same.

Question 8

what are the most common diseases that causes blindness in children?

Accepted Answer

Childhood blindness: Causes of childhood blindness differ from adults causes, and differ on a worldwide scale compared to causes, say, in the U.S. Worldwide causes include vitamin a deficiency, measles, retinopathy of prematurity, newborn conjunctivitis, and congenital cataract. Other causes include uncorrected refractive error, strabismus and amblyopia (lazy eye), retinoblastoma, and lebers congenital amaurosis.

Question 9

if i carry the gene that causes people to be color blind, shoud i have children?

Accepted Answer

Near normal vision: Most people with color defects have 20/20 vision and can perform most jobs. There is even an faa exception for pilots.  There are different types and degrees of "color blindness".  Most people at fully functional.

Question 10

what is the rate of occurrence of color blindness in the u.s.?

Accepted Answer

Rates: Occurrence is the number used to show how many new cases of something are diagnosed per year. Prevalence is the number of actual cases of the diagnosed condition present at any one time. Approximately 1 in every 75 people have a diagnosis of "color blindness.".

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Doctor answers about:

Legal blindness in children

A member asked:

What is legal blindness?

A member asked:

Is there any upsides to legal blindness?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: legal blindness?

A member asked:

Are there any side effects or risks to treatment of legal blindness?

A member asked:

How is it that children could not take colour blind tests?

A member asked:

What causes blindness in children in africa?

A member asked:

Can all children who suffer scarlett fever often go blind later in their lives?

A member asked:

What are the most common diseases that causes blindness in children?

A member asked:

If i carry the gene that causes people to be color blind, shoud i have children?

A member asked:

What is the rate of occurrence of color blindness in the u.s.?

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