Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
15
↓
Seeking advice for legal blindness. (self.Blind)
submitted by not_so_kawaii13
Hi, fairly new to the community. So recently I've been diagnosed by an opthalmologist with legal blindness of 20/300 in my right eye and 20/hand motion in my left eye. All non correctable. And I'm just kind of wondering where do I go from here? Does this diagnosis alone qualify me as legally blind in governments eyes? Or do they need more? I haven't been diagnosed with a reason for my blindness. But I do have a long history of gradually going blind. I'm honestly overwhelmed by it all. And I'm afraid they will need more than that. But I don't know what it could possibly be. The opthalmologist flat out said he wasn't as experienced and could be missing something but that it could also be something neurological. I just don't know what to expect or where to go from here. If you made it this far, appreciate you and your input.
OldManOnFire 12 points 1y ago
In the US legal blindness means your vision is 20/200 or worse in your better eye or your field of vision is less than 20 degrees.
The doctor who diagnosed you as legally blind should fill out a certificate of legal blindness for you. That's a legal document the government will accept. It's helpful if you apply for social security benefits or disability.
The doctor who diagnosed you as legally blind should fill out a certificate of legal blindness for you. That's a legal document the government will accept. It's helpful if you apply for social security benefits or disability.
not_so_kawaii13 [OP] 10 points 1y ago
That sounds so much simpler than it does in my head. And oddly kind of helps me ease up a bit. Thank you.
ThisBlindChickReads 5 points 1y ago
When you file, social security administration may refer you to doctors for their own validation. I was really lucky and one of the doctors they referred me to is one of the best in my area. I only bring this up because the first thing he did was suggest that I test for a gene mutation that many be causing it. After losing my vision for years with a wrong diagnosis, he finally gave me a true diagnosis and although it is scary at times, it is so much easier to deal with. Search for a retinal specialist or an ophthalmologist who tests for genetic mutations. The Foundation Fighting Blindness has a list of suggested specialists that are all over the U.S.
Feel free to dm me.
Feel free to dm me.
tartlette0 5 points 1y ago
You can also use this certificate to get free services from your state like orientation and mobility training and paratransit. If you let me know your state I can find you state department of blind services phone number for you. You can also Google “[your state] department of blind services” to find more information.
techstress 8 points 1y ago
You can ask the doctor or hospital if they have a social worker to help you work through this. There should be a organization related to blindness in the state you're in that will provide some resources from the government
not_so_kawaii13 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into it.
athennna 6 points 1y ago
If the ophthalmologist wasn’t confident, is it worth seeing another provider?
not_so_kawaii13 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
I'm positive so. While he wasn't confident in the cause. He was confident in my lack of sight. As he echoed my retired eye doctors findings.
rkarl7777 5 points 1y ago
Not Op, but what's the advantage of being declared legally blind? What if I'm retired and receiving Social Security?
ThisBlindChickReads 7 points 1y ago
Also, SSDI benefits for the blind may mean more monthly income depending on your status.
rkarl7777 3 points 1y ago
Thank you. I'll look this up.
not_so_kawaii13 [OP] 5 points 1y ago
Recognition of your condition and being able to have or use the assistance you need.
GTbuddha 3 points 1y ago
There is also a tax advantage for income tax. In addition you may qualify for reduced property taxes.
SugarPie89 4 points 1y ago
Yes you are legally blind with that acuity. I would suggest seeing some other eye doctors including a low vision specialist and retina specialist. Also see a neeurologist to make sure its not a brain issue. The low vision specialist will help you live easier and more independently by prescribing aids like magnifiers and other technology. They will also help connect you with agencies for the blind in your area that can provide many resources like job training. They can also teach you how to travel independently with a white cane and connect you with other blind people. Is it possible that you have type 1 diabetes or any vitamin deficiencies? Is anyone else in your family blind?
If you have any more questions feel free to send me a private message. I was labeled legally blind only 2 years ago though I had my suspiciouns much sooner. I have Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) so it was only a matter of time really.
If you have any more questions feel free to send me a private message. I was labeled legally blind only 2 years ago though I had my suspiciouns much sooner. I have Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) so it was only a matter of time really.
not_so_kawaii13 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Thanks for all the suggestions. Haven't been tested for diabetes before. I very rarely go to doctors because of the expenses. So I'm not sure of any deficiency either. As far as I know no one in my family is blind. But me and my brother also genuinely suspect that I'm not really related to my family. My eyesight has deteriorated since I was a child but no one ever thought to have me checked out. But now I'm an adult and it's finally caught up with me. Maybe everyone just thought the same as me? Why try to stop the inevitable. I don't know. I really feel like it could be RP but I also feel like the opthalmologist would have caught that.
SugarPie89 2 points 1y ago
Since you are blind you qualify for medicaid which is free medical assistance. It is not hard to apply for. And depending on your state the plans really cover a lot. I would really suggest getting medicaid and seeing a normal doctor to get a full check up and blood tests. It could help a lot depending on whats going on with you. Also your ophthomologist said he was inexperienced so I would suggest getting a second opinion. Doctors miss things all the time. They are humans after all. Seeing someone very experienced and at the top o their field can help a lot. Did you tell the ophthomologist that you think it could be RP?
GTbuddha 3 points 1y ago
I would begin applying for Social Security Disability. Once you have qualified you will also have medicare (health insurance).
I'm writing this assuming that you are in the US. If that isn't correct I'm sorry.
I would find an eye hospital in your region. These are usually connected to University Medical Schools. They have been the only places that I have ever had doctor's not say, "I have never seen anything like this before."
I'm writing this assuming that you are in the US. If that isn't correct I'm sorry.
I would find an eye hospital in your region. These are usually connected to University Medical Schools. They have been the only places that I have ever had doctor's not say, "I have never seen anything like this before."
not_so_kawaii13 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Unfortunately I do live in the States. All social security offices have been closed since the start of covid. So it's also been hard to get any help from them.
GTbuddha 2 points 1y ago
You can apply online.
GTbuddha 1 points 1y ago
https://www.ssa.gov/disability/disability.html
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.