Expert: Jason Hales, OD - 9/17/2007

Question
If my prescription is -7.00, what does that convert to in 20/20 terms? I am told that NY state considers legally blind and vision impaired the following:

A person is considered "legally blind" when his/her visual acuity is 20/200 or less in the better eye with best correction, or his/her field of vision is 20 degrees or less in the better eye.

A person is considered to be "visually impaired" when he/she has a visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the better eye with vest correction, or a visual field of 140 degrees or less in the better eye.

How do I know if I am either of these?

Answer
Kira,

After about a -4.00 vision is VERY dependant on the person reading the eye chart.  For SURE your vision is WORSE than 20/400....how much worse..no idea without measuring it.

I would expect your eye doctor would let you know if you met either of the criteria you site.  However, keep in mind that they both mention "best correction" and "better eye".  If you have great or even good vision with specs or contact lenses, then you would NOT meet either of these criteria.

Take care.