TL;DR
How do you know when poor eyesight crosses the line into legal blindness? Understanding this term helps you better navigate your rights, available support, and the best steps to take for your eye health.
Find out in this article what qualifies as legally blind and how to protect your vision moving forward.
What does “legally blind” mean?
Legal blindness doesn’t mean you’re completely without vision. In fact, many people with this classification still have some sight. The term refers to a specific range of vision loss that qualifies a person for certain benefits, services, and legal protections.
In the UK, you’re considered legally blind (or “severely sight impaired”) if your visual acuity is 3/60 or worse in your better eye, even with glasses or contact lenses. This means you can see at 3 metres what a person with typical vision can see at 60 metres.
You might also be registered as legally blind if your visual acuity is better than 3/60, but your field of vision is severely reduced – for example, if you can only see a small area directly in front of you and very little to the sides.
How eyesight is tested for legal blindness
Your optician or ophthalmologist will perform a visual acuity test to measure how clearly you see at a distance. You’ll be asked to read letters from a chart, and the smallest line you can read determines your score.
Another key factor is your visual field, or how much you can see around you without moving your eyes. This test helps identify problems like tunnel vision or large blind spots.
If your results meet the criteria for severe sight impairment, your specialist may offer to register you with your local council. Registration opens the door to financial help, free travel, tax allowances, and support with daily living.
Visual acuity scores explained
The most common system used to measure eyesight is the Snellen chart. Scores are written as fractions like 6/6, 6/12, or 3/60.
- 6/6 is considered normal vision. You can see at 6 metres what most people can see at the same distance.
- 6/12 means you can see at 6 metres what someone with typical vision sees at 12 metres.
- 3/60 means you’re only able to see at 3 metres what others can see at 60 metres.
To be considered legally blind in the UK, your best corrected vision should be 3/60 or worse.
Difference between partial sight and legal blindness
It’s easy to confuse visual impairment with legal blindness, but there’s a difference.
- Partially sighted (sight impaired): You have low vision, but it’s not severe enough to meet the threshold for legal blindness. Your vision may still affect your daily life, but you may not qualify for the same benefits.
- Legally blind (severely sight impaired): Your vision loss is much more severe, either in sharpness, field, or both. This classification gives access to more support and legal protection.
Causes of legal blindness
Many conditions can lead to legal blindness. Some develop over time, while others may happen suddenly.
Common causes include:
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Affects your central vision and makes it hard to read or recognise faces.
- Glaucoma: Increases pressure in the eye, damaging the optic nerve and narrowing your field of vision.
- Diabetic retinopathy: A complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels in the eye.
- Cataracts: Cloud the eye’s lens, reducing overall sharpness.
- Retinitis pigmentosa: A rare genetic condition that slowly affects peripheral vision.
In some cases, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent further loss, which is why regular eye exams are essential.
Can supplements help with eyesight improvement?
While legal blindness can’t always be reversed, maintaining your overall eye health may slow down further loss.
Some people turn to a supplement for eyesight improvement, especially those rich in vitamins A, C, and E, zinc, lutein, and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients may support the retina, reduce inflammation, and help delay certain conditions like AMD.
It’s important to know that supplements won’t restore lost vision, but they might help you keep the remaining vision you have. Always speak to your eye specialist before starting a new supplement routine.
Living with legal blindness
Being legally blind may sound overwhelming, but with the right tools and support, you can live a full and independent life.
Here are a few ways people adapt:
- Using low vision aids like magnifiers, audio books, and screen readers.
- Learning orientation and mobility techniques to move safely indoors and outdoors.
- Installing better lighting at home and workspaces.
- Applying for benefits and support from local authorities or charities.
You’ll also have legal protection under the Equality Act 2010, which means you can request reasonable adjustments at work, in education, and when accessing services.
When to get your eyes tested
Even if your vision seems fine, getting regular eye tests is vital especially if you’re over 60 or have a family history of eye problems. The NHS recommends having your eyes tested every two years. You should book an appointment sooner if you:
- Struggle to see in low light
- Have sudden blurry vision
- Notice floaters or flashes
- Experience eye pain or redness
- Have diabetes or high blood pressure
What support is available to the legally blind?
If you’re registered as legally blind in the UK, you’re entitled to a range of help, including:
- Disabled Person’s Railcard
- Free or reduced bus travel
- Blind Person’s Tax Allowance
- Blue Badge for parking
- Support from social services
Charities like RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) also offer guidance, technology help, and emotional support. If you’re newly diagnosed, they can walk you through your options and help you adjust.
Help is always out there
Understanding what eyesight is legally blind helps you make confident decisions about your health, your future, and your rights. Whether you’re concerned about your own vision or helping a loved one, knowing where the threshold lies and what comes next, makes all the difference.
Keep up with your eye tests, speak to your optician, and don’t ignore changes in your sight. Protecting your vision starts today.
