Eye Conditions That May Qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits

Various eye conditions can cause disability and qualify you for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These benefits can help cover living expenses and medical costs, assisting individuals who cannot maintain a normal life due to their eye condition. Here are various eye conditions that may qualify for social security disability benefits. 

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a common eye condition that affects older people and causes gradual and permanent vision loss. The macula, a small central part of the retina responsible for sharp and focused vision, deteriorates.

Macular degeneration can affect one or both eyes and occur suddenly or gradually over time, leading to different levels of visual impairment in each eye. The severity of the disease tends to be more severe if it starts at an earlier age.

Unfortunately, no treatments are available to restore vision once it has been lost due to macular degeneration. If you experience any symptoms of this condition, such as blurry or distorted vision, explore options for disability benefits if necessary.

Vision Loss (Legally Blind)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) regards a person to be legally blind if their best corrected vision is 20/200 in their better eye or if their visual field is 20 degrees or less in that eye. Visual acuity is a measure of how well someone can see at a distance, and 20/200 is considered very poor vision.

This means that a person with 20/200 vision can only see at 20 feet, while an individual with normal vision can see at 200 feet. A visual field of 20 degrees or fewer means that someone has a very narrow field of vision and may have difficulty seeing objects to the side or in their peripheral vision.

Retinitis Pigmentosa

RP is a group of rare eye diseases which affect the retina and causes the cells in the eye to slowly break down resulting in vision loss. RP progresses over years and affects central vision and may result in blindness.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a common eye problem that can lead to cloudy vision. This process is usually slow, and your optometrist can detect it during annual eye exams. Early detection allows for treatment before the cataracts begin to interfere with daily activities. If cataracts do begin to affect daily life, your optometrist can replace the damaged lens with an artificial one through surgery to restore your vision to near normality.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication that can occur in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This condition occurs due to damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye.

Diabetic retinopathy can have varying degrees of severity. Some people may not experience symptoms or only mild symptoms, while others may experience partial loss of sight or even complete blindness.

Hemianopia

Hemianopia is a type of partial blindness or vision loss that affects half of a person's visual field. This means that a person with hemianopia can only see objects on one side of their visual field while the other half appears blank or blacked out. Hemianopia can occur due to various medical conditions such as traumatic brain injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, lymphoma, or epilepsy.

Ocular Melanoma

Ocular melanoma is a rare type of cancer that affects the pigmented layer of tissue underneath the white part of the eye. The symptoms of ocular melanoma include retinal detachment and visual problems like wavy lines and floating specks.

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease where the cornea thins and weakens causing a cone-like bulge to form and distorting ones vision.

The process of receiving social security disability benefits is often long and complicated. The team of lawyers at Gordon & Pont PC can offer assistance during this difficult time and help clients understand what to do for their case to succeed. Reach out to us today to get started.