Terminology
Blind, vision (or visual) impairment and low vision are frequently used terms. These terms identify a person who experiences difficulties seeing, even when corrected with spectacles.
Blind
- corrected visual acuity on the Snellen Scale must be less than 6/60 in both eyes, or
- constriction to within 10 degrees or less of arc of central fixation in the better eye, irrespective of corrected visual acuity, or
- a combination of visual defects resulting in the same degree of visual impairment as that occurring in the above points.”
Vision Impairment
Vision impairment is a term used as an overall description of people who experience sight loss. A Booklet “Better Information & Communication Practices” which could be downloaded from the FaHCSIA website defines vision impairment to include “people who are blind and people who have limited vision”.
Reference: Federal Department of Family, Community and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) website currently known as Department of Social Services, open in new tab
Low Vision
The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) states “Low vision is a consequence of the eye’s inability to function normally” Open CERA website in new tab