Blindness is the lack of vision or an inability to see. Approximately 2.2 billion people around the world experience partial vision loss or no vision. The eyes are important organs that help people see and navigate the world around us.
When an individual is dealing with vision loss, their quality of life may deteriorate. Different medical conditions can have severe consequences and may affect your vision. You should immediately get in touch with your medical professional if you are experiencing any vision problems.
A partially blind person may face difficulties in certain situations, such as having poor night vision, seeing only shadows, and cloudy vision. On the other hand, an individual who is diagnosed with complete blindness may not be able to see anything.
Individuals who have vision conditions may often experience difficulties in their day-to-day lives. Some people have vision issues in one eye and seek one eye blind disability benefits. However, it is important to note that people may not be eligible for benefits if they can see well through one eye.
Certain eye diseases may have serious consequences. Here, we have outlined some of the common conditions that can lead to blindness:
- Diabetic retinopathy: Diabetes is a chronic disorder that affects millions of people around the world. Many people dealing with diabetes struggle in their daily lives and experience numerous health conditions. Diabetes can even affect a person’s eyes and vision.
Over time, diabetic individuals may be more prone to experiencing partial loss of vision or complete blindness. This is why doctors often recommended that diabetic patients take care of their health and keep their blood sugar levels in control.
- Cataracts: Cataracts are a natural process that can lead to cloudy lens formation over the eyes. To slow down the development of cataracts, one should take proper precautions against UV rays and avoid smoking. Uncontrolled diabetes can also lead to this condition, and cataracts can cause an individual to experience issues with their vision. Therefore, an individual with cataracts should take precautions to keep their condition under control. If things progress and are expected to get worse in either eye, you can consider applying for blind in one eye disability benefits.
- Age-related muscle degeneration: Age can play a significant role in vision-related issues. Adults over the age of 50 can be at a higher risk of experiencing vision-related problems. A doctor may advise some individuals to make dietary changes and take proper supplements daily to protect their vision. If you have any problems with your vision, you should get in touch with a medical professional as soon as possible. Beginning treatment at an early stage can help prevent the risk of complete vision loss in some cases. The SSI eligibility and benefits are decided based on many factors, including the severity of your symptoms and degree of vision loss.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a severe eye disease that may damage your eye’s optic nerve. Individuals who have this condition are likely to experience severe vision loss. Glaucoma has the potential to get worse with time and can seriously impact an individual’s vision. When left untreated, it can even lead to complete vision loss. Therefore, it can be crucial to get yourself treated and seek medical treatment as soon as possible if you suspect you may have glaucoma.
- Eye injuries or trauma: Eye injuries or any trauma to the eye can seriously impact an individual’s vision. These conditions have the potential to lead to temporary or partial vision loss. However, when left untreated, eye injuries can lead to blindness, which may be able to qualify you for blind disability benefits.
The following people may be at the highest risk of experiencing vision loss:
- People are diagnosed with diabetes
- People who have undergone eye surgery
- People who have been diagnosed with eye diseases
- People who frequently work with chemicals and sharp objects
- Premature babies
Is Blindness a Disability?
Many people who are dealing with vision loss and blindness are concerned about whether it is considered a disability. Whether you are partially, legally, or totally blind, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can consider whether you can qualify for benefits. They will take into account how significant your vision loss is to determine your eligibility. The SSA has several criteria against which it can evaluate your condition. You can be awarded blind disability benefits if you meet the eligibility criteria.
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for blindness, you can still apply for medical-vocational benefits. For this, the SSA will consider how your vision loss has affected your daily life. It will determine your capabilities and evaluate what kind of work you can perform.
Regardless of whether you meet the criteria for vocational-medical allowance Social Security disability, you should be able to submit comprehensive medical evidence that documents your disability. You can receive blind disability benefits only if the SSA determines that you have submitted complete medical evidence and documentation to prove your condition.
How a legal professional can make the process easier
A legal professional can help applicants gather the documents that prove the individual’s inability to work, talk to concerned people or authorities about the case on the applicant’s behalf, submit a comprehensive claim to the SSA, and represent individuals at appeals hearings.
You should not think twice about consulting a legal professional like Jason Khattar, because of his finely honed skills and experience. He can help you secure the benefits you need for the disability issues that you face.
A Los Angeles disability attorney can be the right person to guide you through the process. Your lawyer can handle all of the complexities that may stand in the way between you and the disability benefits you need.