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Table 1 Definitions of blindness and partial sight used on BD8 certificates (apply to the better eye)

From: Leading causes of certification for blindness and partial sight in England & Wales

Blindness

 

Partial Sight

 

Legal definition

so blind that they cannot do any work for which eyesight is essential

Definition (there is no legal definition)

substantially and permanently handicapped by defective vision caused by congenital defect, illness or injury

Recommendations:

worse than 3/60 (corrected visual acuity)

or

worse than 6/60 with very contracted visual fields

or

6/60 or above with a very contracted visual field especially in the lower part of the field

Recommendations

3/60 or 6/60 with full visual field

or

6/24 or worse with moderate constriction of visual field

or

6/18 or better with gross visual field defects