Assessing permanent blindness 008-03040030

Acronym

Description

CF

Can count fingers at a specified distance

HM

Can see hand movement in front of the eyes

LP

Can perceive light and dark only

NLP

No light perception/totally blind

Item

Description

1

Normal vision

Using the Snellen Scale, 6/6 is considered normal vision.

2

Reduced vision does not qualify as permanent blindness

The following Snellen Scale ratings indicate reduced vision but not enough to qualify for Disability Support Pension (DSP) or Age Pension (Blind) on visual acuity alone.

These ratings are in order from better to poorer vision:

• 6/12
• 6/18
• 4/18
• 6/36
• 2/18

Note: 2/18 is not less than 6/60 but such a person would still have a substantial visual impairment and may qualify for DSP under the impairment tables.

However, one of the qualification criteria for DSP (Blind) or Age Pension (Blind) is that visual acuity on the Snellen Scale must be less than 6/60 in both eyes after correction by suitable lenses.

Reduced visual acuity maybe one of a combination of visual defects, which may qualify a person for the DSP (Blind) or Age Pension (Blind).

3

Visual acuity on the Snellen Scale less than 6/60 in both eyes after correction by suitable lenses

One of the qualification criteria for DSP (Blind) or Age Pension (Blind) is that visual acuity on the Snellen Scale must be less than 6/60 in both eyes after correction by suitable lenses.

These ratings are in descending order:

• 4/60 is less than 6/60
• 2/36 is less than 6/60
• 2/60 is less than 6/60
• 1/36 is less than 6/60