How does total blindness differ from legal blindness regarding residual vision?
Total blindness means no useful sight remaining, while legal blindness allows for measurable, albeit limited, sight.
The core distinction between total blindness and legal blindness lies in the degree of residual visual function. An individual classified as totally blind has zero useful sight remaining; they possess no light perception whatsoever, signifying significant, irreversible damage. In contrast, meeting the criteria for legal blindness (20/200 acuity or 20-degree field restriction) implies that while vision is severely impaired, there remains some detectable or measurable level of sight. Therefore, total blindness inherently satisfies the criteria for legal blindness because it is more severe, but the reverse is not true; a legally blind person might still be able to detect light or movement, which is impossible for someone who is totally blind.
