Low vision and visual impairment

The term Low Vision is defined as “limited vision” or “Sees Less”. A person with a visual acuity in the better eye is less than 30% or .0.3 after correction.

The definition of visually impaired may take into consideration a variety of eye disorders and diseases. “Visually Impaired” people have limited correctable vision by glasses or contact lenses of less than 30% or 0.3, or have compromised visual fields.

Visual impairments also take into account the visual acuity, which is defined as ability to see a face, or field of view. With visual impairments, the face, or field of view can and will be obstructed.  There may also be sensitivity to light, glare, and abnormal perception of colors. The eyesight will remain poor even with the use of “normal” glasses or “normal” contact lenses.

Visual impairment and blindness in accordance with ICD-10 key coding system

The World Health Organization describes visual impairment in stages.

W-H-O stage visual impairment chart
0          No or mild visual impairment
1          Moderate visual impairment
2          Severe visual impairment
3          Severe visual impairment
4, 5      Blindness

After the encryption key according to ICD-10, this affects people with one of the following three diagnoses:

H54.0  Blindness of both eyes stages 3, 4 and 5 of the visual impairment in both eyes
H54.1   Blindness of an eye and low vision in the other eye stages 3, 4 and 5 of the visual impairment of one
  eye stages 1 or 2 of the visual impairment in the other eye
H54.2   Eyesight of both eyes level 1 or 2 of the visual impairment in both eyes

Summary: ICD-10 - W-H-O - Low vision (visual acuity)

Designation according to ICD-10

Stages related to W-H-O

Visual acuity best possible correction

Visual impairment

1 Moderate visual impairment

Visual acuity <= 0.3 > 0.1

2 Severe visual impairment

Visual acuity <= 0.1 > 0.05

Blindness

3 Severe visual impairment

Visual acuity <= 0.05 > 0.02

4 Blindness

Visual acuity <= 0.02 up to light perception

5 Blindness

No light perception