Visual disorders can significantly impact a person’s ability to work
due to loss of vision or pain. Blurred vision, double vision, loss of
the ability to tell color or shades of any color, halo effect, the inability
to be in fluorescent lighting, the inability to be around moving machinery,
the lack of peripheral vision and lack of parts of central vision cause
serious limitations. If you have one of these visual disorders that limit
your ability to work, you may be entitled to Social Security disability benefits.
To be found disabled under the Listings of impairments for visual loss
an individual must have decreased visual acuity so that his best corrected
vision in his good eye is 20/200. Alternatively, a claimant can qualify
if there are dramatic decreases in visual efficacy or in the visual field.
(See Listing of Impairments 2.02, 2.03, 2.04
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/2.00-SpecialSensesandSpeech-Adult.htm). These Listings set a high bar that unfortunately many claimants with
legitimate visual problems are unable to meet.
For example, many individuals have limitations from progressive conditions
like cataracts, glaucoma and retinopathy where the disease severity fluctuates
over time. They experience periods where they meet the limitations required
for the Listing, but then will have occasional periods of relief. Because
of the way that the Social Security Administration considers these cases,
such individuals are usually only considered with regard to functional
ability on their “good days.” In the real world, this results
in a grossly unfair denial of benefits. Claimants who spend much of the
year legally blind are wrongly denied and treated the same as someone
who has only moderate problems.
The following is a list of the most common eye diseases and disorders
affecting a person’s vision and resulting in vision loss:
Glaucoma
- Open Angle Glaucoma, or Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG)
- Closed Angle Glaucoma
- Neovascular Glaucoma
- Normal Tension Glaucoma
- Pigmentary Glaucoma
- Traumatic Glaucoma
Cataracts
- Age related cataract, or Senile Cataracts
- Secondary cataract
- Traumatic cataract
- Congenital cataract
- Radiation cataract
Retinopathy
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Nonproliferative (Background) Diabetic Retinopathy (BDR)
- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)
- Paraneoplastic Retinopathy
- Hypertensive Retinopathy
Our Social Security lawyers can help address whether a disability can be
established based on an inability to perform tasks during a full work
day and whether or not you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits.
The Donati Law Social Security lawyers are experienced in the area of
Social Security Disability law. With over 100 years of legal experience in Social Security matters, the
attorneys of Donati Law can help you achieve results. Dial (901) 209-5500 or
complete an online inquiry form today to find out how we can assist you.
