How Does the SSA Determine a Loss of Visual Efficiency for SSDI Claims?

Visual disorders are eye or optic nerve abnormalities that affect visual acuity or result in a loss of visual fields. The Social Security Administration (SSA) lists visual disorders under 2.00 Special Senses and Speech in its Blue Book of medically recognized impairments. As explained by the SSA, those with a loss of visual acuity suffer an inability to "distinguish detail, read, or do fine work."

A loss of visual fields limits the individual's ability to "perceive visual stimuli in the peripheral extent of vision." The SSA defines statutory blindness as visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens. The SSA also provides that "an eye that has a visual field limitation such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees is considered as having visual acuity of 20/200 or less." (2.00-2)

Qualifications for Disability

Visual acuity and visual field efficiencies are used to determine the overall loss of visual efficiency. A loss is determined when the visual efficiency of the better eye is 20 percent or less after correction. Those who are statutorily blind or suffer other visual impairments may qualify to receive SSDI disability benefits from the SSA if it is determined that the impairment interferes with the individual's ability to do gainful work. The condition must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 months to qualify.

Calculating Visual Efficiency

To obtain visual acuity efficiency, the SSA uses a percentage that corresponds to the best-corrected visual acuity for distance in the better eye. The visual field efficiency is calculated by kinetic perimetry that adds the number of degrees seen along eight main meridians in the better eye, and then dividing the number by 500. Once these efficiencies are obtained, the total visual efficiency is then calculated by multiplying the visual acuity efficiency by the visual field efficiency, and then converting the decimal to a percentage. For example, if an individual's visual acuity efficiency is 88 percent and the visual field efficiency is 75 percent, the SSA will multiply 0.88 x 0.75 to determine that the individual's visual efficiency is 0.66, or 66 percent.

Filing for SSDI Benefits

If the SSA determines that the individual's loss of visual efficiency is severe enough to prevent gainful employment, the individual may apply for SSDI disability benefits. The individual must obtain and submit the requisite application either online or at the local SSA office.

Along with the application, the individual must submit a report detailing an eye examination that includes measurements of the best-corrected visual acuity or the extent of the visual fields. The cause of the loss in acuity and/or visual field must be fully documented. If you seek disability benefits for a loss of visual efficiency, talk with a Social Security advocate or legal representative to determine your eligibility.