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

help please! is color blindness reversible if it is caused by certain medications?

Accepted Answer

In some cases: Loss of color vision can occur in macular toxicity by a few drugs, most commonly hydryoxychloroquine.  It reverses with discontinuation of the drug.

Question 6

father is partially blind. he is taking medication for hypertension. is hypertension a cause for this ?

Accepted Answer

Maybe related: Patients with hypertension are more likely to develop eye disease. They are a greater risk for  vascular diseases that can affect the retina such as vein occlusions, and optic nerve disease such as non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. If your father has diabetes, hypertension can exacerbate diabetic macular edema a common cause of visual loss in diabetics. Go to your eye doctor to be sure.

Question 7

what drugs can cause blindness from overdosing?

Accepted Answer

Some are illicit: Methanol can cause blindness, and anti-tb drugs like Ethambutol & rifampin. Steroids can cause glaucoma, antimalarials like Hydroxychloroquine can damage the macula. Talc retinopathy can occur with intravenous drug use. Direct retinal toxicity can occur from injected gentamicin. The precautionary principle demands withdrawal of potentially toxic drugs once diminished visual function is documented.

Question 8

what drugs can damage eyesight and lead to blindness?

Accepted Answer

A few: Steroids, plaquinil, amiodarone. Those are the most common.

Question 9

what abuse drugs can lead to blindness?

Accepted Answer

Not directly: Drugs of abuse in their pure form cannot disturb the vision except for the psychedelic effects causing visual hallucinations.  You can lose vision by 1) overdose with loss of consciousness leading to stroke in the eye or visual part of the brain  2) adulterated drugs containing dangerous substances  3) injection of contaminated drugs.  Best solution?  Get off illegal substances.

Question 10

can the anaesthesia drug ketamine cause blindness in people?

Accepted Answer

Extremely unlikely: There have been a few reports of blindness after an anesthetic regimen that included ketamine, however this is extraordinarily rare.

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Doctor answers about:

Legal blindness medication

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:

Help please! is color blindness reversible if it is caused by certain medications?

A member asked:

Father is partially blind. he is taking medication for hypertension. is hypertension a cause for this ?

A member asked:

What drugs can cause blindness from overdosing?

A member asked:

What drugs can damage eyesight and lead to blindness?

A member asked:

What abuse drugs can lead to blindness?

A member asked:

Can the anaesthesia drug ketamine cause blindness in people?

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