CAN I GET SOCIAL SECURITY FOR A VISION IMPAIRMENT (POOR EYESIGHT)?

Poor vision qualifies for Social Security disability if the sight is severely impaired and is not correctable with glasses.

Visual impairments are governed by Social Security Listings 2.02, 2.03 and 2.04.

Loss of visual acuity may qualify for benefits if the sight in the better eye is 20/100 or less after correction with lens.

Contraction of the visual field may also qualify for benefits when, in the better eye, the widest diameter of the vision field is no greater than 20 degrees from the point of fixation.

Visual efficiency of 20 or less, or a visual impairment value of 1.00 or greater will also generally qualify for benefits.

Who may evaluate vision impairments for purposes of a Social Security claim?  Social Security will accept evidence of visual impairment from either a medical doctor or a licensed optometrist.  However, the examination must include the specific details (see above) to allow Social Security to decide the severity and type of your vision impairment. Also note that Social Security only considers visual impairments of your better eye and only impairments that remain after the best possible correction with glasses.

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