Blind VS Legally Blind (What is Legal Blindness)

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Happy World Sight Day 2021! What are some things you a grateful for today?

[@ramonacharles9540]

I am grateful that i can still see

[@sandratima5469]

My mom. She has macular degeneration. She never let it stop her & encouraged us to appreciate everything.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

@@ramonacharles9540 Me too!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

@@sandratima5469 This is great Sandra. Thank you for sharing that.

[@Estess]

As much as they can be a nuisance, every time I pop my contact lenses in my eyes I think about how grateful I am for the invention of contacts! Science rules!

[@dianewebb2689]

I had a teacher who was blind. She had a good way of explaining to a sighted person what being blind is like. She posed the question, "What is it like to not be able to see through your elbow?" We can't imagine that because we have no frame of reference. Therefore it's just nothing.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

That is a really good perspective.

[@kranji_assist]

Yes I can’t se through my belbow

[@thepinkestpigglet7529]

Ok someone said that to me as a kid I didn't take it to me "you don't have eyes in your elbow" and I just put my elbow up to my face and was like ok so blind people see the color blacj

[@F4sy]

I wonder if most "true blind" can see monochrome color. Like a single pixel that could only oscillate between pure black and white, even if the video stated this already I assume there are less that have no light sense

[@cedarspirit]

The best way I've heard it explained is somebody told me it was like you closed one of your eyes and tried to see out of the closed one. You can't see a dark spot, just nothing.

[@ChakkaYashwanth]

I highly appreciate the way you took the temperament of this video (mild, mellow) without getting excited, exuberant or displaying heavy emotions because of the nature of topic. This shows how much respectful you are to a blind and how grateful you are to god for vision. Very proud to be your subscriber.

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGbdhWd6drmMmdk

[@shelleysmith9532]

I have 22/100

[@tracydeyhle4688]

This was very interesting to me. Back on Aug. 27, I had a freak accident which ultimately caused me to have to have my right eye removed. There was not only no improvement, but I was in terrible pain for over 2 months. Removing the eye was basically the only choice. Prior to that, over 15 yrs ago, I was diagnosed with a disease in both eyes, (Pelucid Marginal Degeneration) which led to corneal transplants in both eyes and then becoming legally blind in both. Lucky for me, the freak accident occurred in my right eye which was the worst of the 2 at 20/400. Now I am left with one eye and the vision in that one is 20/200. Yes, I do have a lot of challenges, however, I am thankful I still have a bit of visions left in my left eye.

[@arstotzka6520]

how did you type this

[@tracydeyhle4688]

@@arstotzka6520 uhmmm my phone is near my face and the screen (including keyboard) is set to LARGE SIZED! Also LEGALLY blind, does NOT mean TOTALLY (AS YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING) BLIND! I am LEGALLY blind in my remaining eye (left one) and no longer have my right eye! If you still do not get it, maybe you need to look up what legal blindness is!

[@agamerwithzeroveiws4385]

I cant even read this my brain is too small

[@tracydeyhle4688]

@@agamerwithzeroveiws4385 lol it must be, so don't

[@agamerwithzeroveiws4385]

@@tracydeyhle4688 dam

[@Reigninsuds]

I’m legally blind and have 20/60 Vision in my “good eye”. People will hear that and think i’m faking blindness or that I could just get glasses. Very frustrating having to explain the nuances, but I think you do a very good job at filling in those gaps. Though other factors like photophobia, depth perception, Night vision play a huge role that aren’t measurable and unique to every individual dealing with visual disabilities.

[@Libertaro-i2u]

It can be frustrating.

[@caraziegel7652]

My husband was legally blind until somewhere around high school - his situation improved on its own. He's not super communicative (just personality) - but I remember beign shocked that he would actually keep his glasses on as a toddler - so many people say its nearly impossible to get kids to keep their glasses on - but for him even as a toddler, the difference was worth it. he had stories about running in to trees and cars as a kid - its crazy. But had had been offered surgery and refused because of the fear of losing the vision he had. His eyes continued to improve until recently - we are in our 50s (and met in our 30s) anyways, I appreciate hearing about these definitions - my husband just doesnt talk about things much but I feel like this helps me understand a bit more.

[@phen0mejon99]

I'm not quite sure i understand... How was he legally blind but now he's not?

[@caraziegel7652]

@@phen0mejon99 Apparently the flattening of the eye that causes most of us to get worse eyesight as we age actually improved his eyesight. its finally stopped improving. but also his nystagmus improved dramatically over the years as well, which helped a ton.

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npK9Y4mYad6BgMk

[@Libertaro-i2u]

I guess when a toddler's eyesight is bad enough, there's a good chance they'll keep their glasses on.

[@ncburton1713]

As a visually impaired individual I'm so happy to see someone cover this topic. I've come across so many people that can't get their heads around the fact that I have usable vision. They tend to think I'm either faking my impairment, I just haven't gotten the right glasses, or haven't had the right eye care in general. It'd be nice if general knowledge about vision loss was more wide spread. I think TV and movies are a big part of the misconceptions about blindess. Whenever you see someone with vision loss in movies or TV shows it's usually presented as the person being totally blind. I can't think of one blind character that had any usable vision or even light perception. It sucks too because since so many people seem to think that you either have normal vision or nothing, there are way to many times that I have to fake being totally blind just to get the help that I need. Talking technology, there are so many cool things being created. Just comparing the tech we have now versus when I was a kid in the 80's is huge. Too bad some of the really cool stuff is so expensive and out of budget for someone like my on an $800 a month disability income. Still, the tech I do have and advances in medical science had helped slow the progression of my eye condition. My mom has the same eye condition as I do (congenital aniridia with nystagmus and macular hypoplasia) and I have more vision that she did at my age. Also my vision is, relatively stable, whereas my mom's vision is mostly light and motion perception now. Technology has definitely made a big difference. It'll be interesting to see what other cool things will come from it.

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npK9Y4mYad6BgMk

[@michelledes_de_prmolina4287]

I have nanopthalmos (dwarf eye causing me to be a 800 in both eyes) and so I wear bifocals and have trouble seeing even with contacts or glasses.However, I am thankful for what I do have at least but it is such a challenge to have most doctors not be familiar with my condition or know how to help fully since it is more rare. Many with nano usually look like we can see which is probably why people don't get the severity of it. Hopefully maybe one day there can be videos on this condition since it leaves many of us legally blind even with glasses or contacts. Thank you for your work and channel

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I have seen nanophthalmos once and it was with a 10 year old. Really high glasses powers. Very rare for sure but still, i appreciate you sharing this. Hopefully I will be able to make a video on it someday.

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npK9Y4mYad6BgMk

[@justadragonwithinternetacc4505]

I am not legally blind, but do have a lazy eye, which does make me legally half blind. Even with my eyesight, I still have a hard time understanding what it is like to be legally blind, which is an issue because I am writing a character that is legally blind, so this video helped a lot.

[@sharmilasoomair568]

I found this video very interesting. I am grateful for my glasses and KZbin so that I can see and learn so much about healthy eyes. Happy World Sight Day to you Dr Allen.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Thank you! You too!

[@kfl611]

You tube is the best, if you need a procedure for your eyes or a medical term explained, someone on you tube will explain it in clear terms that really help lesson your fears and anxiety - at least I found that true in my case.

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npK9Y4mYad6BgMk

[@rv2167]

My daughter went completely blind at a young age due to a brain tumour. There is a HUGE difference in quality of life between someone with no light perception at all and someone with some vision, even if legally blind. Circadian rhythm, social interactions, mobility, all impacted very differently. That being said, if you're going to go blind, best to do it as young as possible so you have time to adapt, we are grateful for that.

[@lizardking91]

I had a retinal detachment so I can't see anything from that eye. My other is probably on its way out also. Sucks having so many eye issues and knowing nothing will fix it.

[@nictheartist]

Sorry to hear. Was there no way surgery could have fixed this? I'm rather concerned, as I've just been told that retinal detachment is a real risk for me, and they even advised on whom to call IMMEDIATELY should I experience an increase in floaters, or any other type of increase in vision impairment. It all sounds rather daunting...

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGbdhWd6drmMmdk

[@tokiimori]

As a legally blind person myself (I’m not anymore due to surgery and am now 20/70) I really appreciate people talking about this topic! I think it’s really important and a lot of people take their vision for granted as well as being able to drive which I am still unable to do. I’m grateful for what I have and since I was legally blind since birth it’s hard to realize how much you couldn’t see until you can see :)

[@TheSirensFire]

The timing of this...I was just diagnosed with having retinitis pigmentosa. And yeah a bit scared and uncertain about the future, especially with just having a baby and already being hearing impaired too.

[@allaboutmycats454]

The Blind Life on KZbin has helped me a lot. Sam Speevy has Stargardt‘s disease.

[@morganhough1022]

My mother in law has RP and although she’s been legally blind for a few years, she still has great quality of life. She paints, quilts, cooks, bakes, and reads; but is unable to drive herself, and has benefitted from using a probing cane when walking out and about.

[@TheSirensFire]

@@morganhough1022 I hope to continue to paint. Also, I already use a cane for mobility support, and the thought of using a red & white cane at the same time amuses me. (I'm fairly certain I've seen another option out there. )

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npK9Y4mYad6BgMk

[@KhalilAbuthiyab]

Because of my ignorance, I first eye exam was when I was 15 (about 2 years ago), and on that test I discovered that my prescription was -6 in the right and -5 in the left eye, it was bad enough to make the doctor give me a glasses with -4 R -3 L prescription to get used to the eyesight (because jumping to -6 is a big jump), and from that day and I felt that I am semi blind (because of my dependence on my glasses). This video made me for the first in the past 2 year appreciate that I am not really blind. Thank you for literally opening my ayes on something I didn't know.

[@kfl611]

I got contact lenses, years ago and could see so much better with them, than with glasses. Maybe you could try them. I liked how I didn't need to worry about loosing my glasses or when it rained, I didn't have rain all over my glasses or glasses getting fogged up, or breaking glasses. The only down side I had was a few times while putting them in, they popped out and I could not find my lens. I had to have a friend come over and hunt around the bathroom till it was found. They tend to look like a drop of water if you drop one in the sink or tub. Yes standing by the sink, some how I blinked putting one in (I only wore one, as I can only see out of one eye and only need one) and it popped out and landed in the tub. Thankfully this did not happen often. Cleaning contacts is a nightly item to do, but is not hard, they make little machines that help you clean them and you can deprotien them easily enough. Good luck with your vision, being sight challenged is not easy but it is not the worse thing either.

[@KhalilAbuthiyab]

@@kfl611 thank you for telling me your experience with your contacts, I like how we both didn't like fogging and the other downsides of wearing glasses.. have a good day.

[@kfl611]

@@KhalilAbuthiyab You too, keep your spirits up.

[@Yelrebmikkim]

-6 and -5 without glasses or contacts! That sucks. I needed to keep mine on all the time by -4. Now I'm at -9!!!

[@Woodman-Spare-that-tree]

Your prescription is not severe at all. I’ve worn glasses since the age of five. My prescription is -7.5 EDIT: I also have astigmatism, which means that straight lines look curved. I have the bruises to prove it. I’m always walking into doors and tables because I think they are further to one side of me than they really are.

[@katelandking9805]

I’ve been dealing with keratoconus since I was 13 I’m now 32 all these videos are so informative to know and listen to over and over!

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npK9Y4mYad6BgMk

[@gatchahumandisabled9097]

I’m so happy I stumbled upon this! I have optic nerve hypnoplasa. It is really difficult to see small letters. I’m only 15 and training with a white cane. I have a lot of trouble seeing size 11 font on my chromebook without making it bigger.

[@lunarozegaming]

I can understand your pain. I also have Optic Nerve Hypoplasia

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGbdhWd6drmMmdk

[@phionella7]

As a -14.5/-14.75 I often refer to myself as blind without my glasses. I seriously have a very specific place to put my glasses when sleeping, because I cannot see well enough to find them if they're not there.

[@kfl611]

Nothing like crawling around on your hands and knees, trying to feel for your glasses. Been there, done that.

[@ksking1970]

Or a dropped contact. -18/-15 diopter here.

[@kfl611]

@@ksking1970 I lost my contact one time putting it in, it 'blinked' out of my eye. I could not find it. I had to call my friend to come over and find it for me. I was standing by the sink, and some how it 'blinked' out of my eye, and landed in the tub. He said it was hard to find, he had to push on each thing that looked like a drop of water, but he found it. How it flew like 3 feet out of my eye, I'll never know. Usually I could find it in the sink. I was at -9.5. Yes doing the hands and knees shuffle is not fun. I did it at a crowded bar one night, and no I was not drunk, I was trying to help a friend find his dropped glasses before they got stepped on.

[@kfl611]

@Leumens Thank god for modern medicine and our ability to have access to it.

[@angelawrightmsncc9253]

I am grateful for the sight that I have. I also thank you for doing these educational videos. I have ocular albinism and nystagmus. I have been legally blind since birth, but it is not stopping me from living a full life. Another thing that I am grateful for.

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npK9Y4mYad6BgMk

[@na2305]

Great overview. I have RP and am "legally blind". While I'm 20/500 I'm still gteatful for what I still have. Thank you for the work you do.

[@girlnotoftheworld2008]

At my last eye exam I had 20/200 in both eyes and the doctor was stunned because he couldn't identify a cause. I am certain my vision got worse over the years but as a mother and a wife I learned to fake it until I make it but I silently fall into tears at times because I really don't think that even if they knew how bad off I am they would truly care

[@whywhywhy1266]

Is your vision correctable with glasses or contacts?

[@jakefairley6993]

I have no issues with my eyesight, or previous interest in the topic But for some reason I find your videos extremely enjoyable and interesting, you make for a great teacher

[@melissas.2905]

My daughter is legally blind. Thank you for posting this. It means a lot.

[@draquela96]

I remember when that orcam tech was in its infancy, and what it's doing now was unimaginable but highly wished for, so glad it's available now

[@sanicahcalipayan8500]

i really admired your passion as an primary eye care provider.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Thank you!

[@beccacoleman498]

All ive got is an astigmatism in both eyes, and im so thankful for my glasses! I cant read street signs without them. Thanks for the very informative video!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Happy to help! Thanks for watching!

[@Libertaro-i2u]

Definitely

[@kellimshaver]

Thanks for posting this. If I had a nickel every time I heard someone say "I'm legally blind without my glasses" or "I'm legally blind in one eye" when they find out I'm blind, I'd have a whole big sock full of nickels to whack them with. I know they're trying to relate, but it's so frustrating/diminishing. Side note: I can't understand why Orcam doesn't just incorporate a little bone conduction transducer into the temple piece on their glasses.

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npK9Y4mYad6BgMk

[@Libertaro-i2u]

No matter how bad your eyesight is, if it can be corrected to a decent margin of 20/20, you're not legally blind.

[@kfl611]

Eye doctors and surgeons are the best ! They have kept me seeing for the last 55 years.

[@EyesExplained]

A very clear and concise video Dr Allen! We had a chance to try the Orcam recently too and was amazed how accurate and easy to use it was. One of our low vision patients says it's her favourite low vision aid (after her guide dog haha).

[@donaldellis8952]

I was born with cataracts in the 1950’s. Cataract surgery was pretty much in it’s Infancy. No lasers. As a result I have been legally blind since. 3 years ago I was riding a roller coaster, and as soon as I got off my vision in my right eye was very blurry got diagnosed with a detached retina both surgeries to fix it both failed as a result of too much scar tissue from all the cataract surgeries, and lost all the vision in that eye. I am also legally blind in my left eye. Losing that vision in my right is making it difficult to do daily routines most notably my job and going out in public by myself with depth perception. I have a guide cane but just because I have one doesn’t mean I know to use it. I live in Georgia and can’t seem to find any rehabilitation services.n I have been told because I work there are no state services for me,

[@allaboutmycats454]

Have you thought of applying for a disability? It was a difficult decision to make for myself, but a n3cessary one.

[@donaldellis8952]

@@allaboutmycats454 yes I do get SSDI.

[@kfl611]

Try to keep your spirits up. I've had many eye issues all my life. Cataracts in my 40's which thankfully surgery corrected. But I also have no light perception in one eye, which I've had all my life. That doesn't present much of an issue, I just have to be extra careful driving and being aware of my surroundings, so I don't walk into people or objects that are on my blind side. Maybe a national institute can help you find help locally - like the 'institute for the blind'. Just a thought. Where I used to work, they had a program where they trained seeing eye dogs, and I used to like watching them being trained in the small town where I worked. Maybe a seeing eye dog would be of help. I have seen videos where people train seeing eye dogs and they say the dogs don't have a clue what is required of them or what is going on, then all the sudden the light bulb lights (no pun intended) and the dog realizes you can't see and they can, and they are now your eyes and there to help. I think a lot of seeing eye dogs become true companions in a lot of ways beyond just helping with sight and mobility. I hope you find the help you need, I'm sure if you persevere someone or an organization will be able to help you.

[@Woodman-Spare-that-tree]

The ancient Romans did cataract surgery 2,000 years ago. I can’t tell you what the results were like though!

[@SanjayKumar-wq1cv]

Thanks a lot for helping the blind or vision loss people like me. May god bless you

[@jimijames95]

9 years ago at age 61, I suffered from 2 AION's (anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) or as explained to me eye strokes. I have zero peripheral vision and blurred vision with parts missing on top of color blindness. After 9 years you adjust and what I miss most is not being able to drive. I am just lucky to be able to see what I see as I guess it could have been worse. Thanks for the explanations and as always great job explaining things.

[@braydoboss9505]

I'm essentially blind in my right eye, though it's light perception is actually stronger than my left eye. When I'm out in the sun, I don't squint, I just clamp my right eye shut

[@RapFanatic4ever]

I always thought that being completely blind was just like having your eyes shut and you just can't see anything.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

You're welcome!

[@howardhudson5475]

Thank you for this video Dr. I suffer from Stargardt’s Disease and am legally blind now. I can no longer drives as things disappear in my vision. I have found this video very informative. Thank you again for explaining the difference. I run into those who don’t know the difference for years

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Happy to have helped. I have a few patients with Stargardt's and it can be a shocking diagnosis to some. How are you getting along?

[@howardhudson5475]

I@@DoctorEyeHealth I Get along ok. I have to look carefully wherever I go as I have a tendency to miss things in my path and trip (Tore my right Rotator Cuff on that one tripping over a parking stop. lol) I have a really good Retina dr who specializes in Stargardt's among others so that helps. Lately been having to get injections in my left eye because of bleeding into the retina.

[@ascend555]

​@@howardhudson5475take regular Epsom salt baths and up your water intake 🧘‍♂️ 🙏 ♎️

[@abc-gv3ry]

I am legally blind. I was born with optic nerve hypoplasia, which caused the nerves in my eyes to be underdeveloped. My right eye is all but useless, my left eye works well enough, but is still in the legally blind area. I can never do things like getting a driver's license. I don't need any assistance, such as guide dogs or canes, just glasses.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Hey thank you so much for sharing your own experience here!

[@briggettemihm2319]

Im thankful for my eye doctors. Cataract surgery next week. It's the 3rd surgery on my left eye. Im also thankful I can still see. I hope its successful.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Wishing you the best!

[@allaboutmycats454]

I have had two surgeries with ocular implants. The surgeries were a piece of cake…and I got my color vision back. Like. My doc said just lay back and enjoy all the pretty colors!

[@kfl611]

I had cataract surgery and wish I would have had it years before I did. But I did not know I needed it. I could see so much better afterwards 20/25. I never saw that well in my life. It took the doctor 18 minutes to do my surgery and the surgery was painless, but a little creepy as they did not give me enough anesthesia, so I was well aware of what he was doing the whole time. ha ha ha, my bad. You do have to take drops for a while to prevent any possible infection. When I went to see a specialist, he told me I had a 1 in 100 chance of infection and 1 in a 1000 chance of going blind from the procedure. He was a great, calm, easy going doctor and really put my fears to rest. It should be a piece of cake. Hopefully.

[@Tyeler80]

I’m actually legally blind that’s the main reason why I clicked on this video

[@tarrySubstance]

I absolutely love your videos. Because of you, I got my eyes checked and it is in good health. I get to learn a lot from this channel.

[@Live-qf2lg]

Wow, I'm putting in my contacts for the first time on World Sight Day... nice

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Very cool!

[@CNC295]

Best example of what it is to be blind is to put your hand behind your back and ask yourself what does my hand see

[@whataguy2266]

Thank you so much for this video. It's really opened my eyes to how these kinds of things work, as I just believed that all blindness just meant darkness like you mentioned at the start of the video.

[@yoloarmyjacket1497]

Thankfully someone talks about this, my mother has legal blindness in one eye, (Complete loss of vision) due to a stroke she had a few years back, and whenever people see her out with me and her cane, she will turn her head to use her (failing) but still somewhat good eye, and it always throughs people for a loop and we have had things said to us like "stop faking!" Etc. She doesn't listen to them, and still enjoys things like she usually does, she cant use a knife very well, but she loves to come cook with me in the kitchen (I am a culinary student currently, with glasses myself) So its not always the full blidness people see on tv, sometimes its half, like my mother, and I was hoping that there would be a video I could send, rather than us explaining poorly, whats going on with her! thank you so much for this!

[@subiejay5540]

Best Eye Doctor on KZbin

[@shadowcat309]

I found out I have cataracts in both eyes and I can tell the difference. Sad thing is can't afford the surgery.

[@strawbabieareyoucrazy]

I didn’t know that it was only considered legally blind if you had glasses on. Now I’m not sure about my eye condition anymore because it’s been so long since I’ve gone to the eye doctor

[@dannieros3]

I’ve had ocular migraines where my peripheral vision went out for a few minutes and it was so scary

[@travelers6043]

This is the best summary I've seen after years of looking for an acceptable demo for the sighted. Thank you! I've got Best, stage 5, a 95% loss. I use a big iPad to read from Kindle. It takes a long -long time to read a book. When I get tired of the effort, I have it read to me. I loved reading on my own so it's a challenge to let it go completely for audio only.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Hey thank you so much for sharing! One of my good friends from college has Bests and it bums me out. Happy to hear you are still reading and not letting that overwhelm you. Any favorite books?

[@hildasandifer6933]

I was diagnosed as legally blind I taught for eight years in the Chicago public school system. I had a CCTV I had the software zoom text, and I had a classroom aid to teach my class. I knew my children from the way they sounded, and the textures of their face I could see, but if I wrote something on the chalkboard, I could not. I found it if I put a piece of long writing paper that I purchased at the local teacher store and use the sharpie marker I could print anything large size I could see that anything else in my aid would write it on the board for me. also, I learned about different apps that I have downloaded to my phone. I have Be My Eyes, which has volunteers Using the Camera on the phone can help me if I’m trying to find something that I’ve dropped or operate a certain machine and I can’t find the button. Also, I have seeing a guy is it an app not it’s an app that helps me read my mail helps me identify colors And other things that I would not normally be able to see Tech Ology is amazing so being blind or low vision is not a problem for me right now

[@crazyeightsable]

that's very informative .I am having vision problems due to cataracts.My right eye is 20/ 400 with glasses on...all i see is a blur basically,thankfully my left eye is ok .I can see 20/30 with my glasses on.I'll be so glad to get rid of that cataract!

[@grumpusmaximus9446]

Thank you, your information is very helpful. I have macular degeneration and in the last year have lost eyesight in one eye.

[@DeniseSkidmore]

The limit for driving is 20/40, so you can be unable to drive but not be legally blind and able to get benefits?

[@cwill2127]

You just wear corrective lenses and get the restriction on your license. Also no cop checks that you’re wearing your glasses lol. Obviously only drive if you can safely see

[@MomoLuvsTomTom]

Exactly you can have vision too reduced for driving or at least restrictive driving and still not be considered legally blind! There are many people who qualify as visually impaired or low vision but not legally blind because their vision is not “bad enough”.

[@Snap-vz7cz]

As a person born with multiple eye conditions and legally blind, I find it nice that somebody is talking about this so thanks a lot, also you where pretty respectful about the matter. For anybody who is currently dealing with eye vision loss/any kind of blindness you have one of the most powerful people for being able to exist the way you are and still accomplish things in life, you didn’t let this take away opportunity and your happiness.

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npK9Y4mYad6BgMk

[@seb9940]

Sad/happy story: My uncle wore glasses and didnt have great eyes but with glasses it was doable. Then he slowly started getting problems with his left eye until that eye only had 10% vision. Thats when he wasnt able to ride the bycycle anymore because his right eye couldnt compansate enough, which was pretty tough for him since he was only 53. His right eye wasnt great, but with surgery they could fix his right eye almost completely. Unfortunately during the surgery there were complications and it all went wrong(took 10/11 hours instead of 3/4 and lost all vision even LP with that eye). He woke up thinking it was succesful because the eye needed to be closed with bandage enz. so he didnt know it until the surgeon came to him and told him the awful news. After that he was at an all time low and even though we felt really bad for him he said "if you could see it(literally) what i see, only then you would really understand how much it breaks you". Although it already sort of broke my heart seeing him walking with a stick and needing help with the most simple things. But i didnt want to hurt him more so i didnt tell him that. I thought he would never see anything out of his right eye and prob be legally blind for the rest of his life. But around 1 month later he got another surgery for that same eye, and luckily that surgery went great and they saved his eye. Every one was so happy that he could see much better(again). But i was not only happy he could see again, i was happy he was able to ride his bicycle again:)

[@tybamasmokes6354]

I have RP and it's like looking threw a key hole or peep hole in a door and can't see in the dark at all but I find things I can do and keep on keeping on I even took up carpentry after I went legally blind so never let anything stop you from doing what you wanna do. Thanks for making content like this for people who wanna be informed about the difference in blindness bc it's hard to explain to some people sometimes when they see you see something and do stuff but run slap into stuff that's to low or to far out to the side to see i constantly have to explain my sight to people and they look at me like they don't understand I don't always expect them to tho .

[@jmalheiros1587]

I have glaucoma, and I'm almost at the stage of being legally blind. It's a struggle and I know it's probably gonna get worse as the years go by, but it's a comfort knowing that there's people who live with this and that there things to help me when I do reach that point

[@supercharger5727]

It's like squares and rectangles all legally blind people are blind but not all blind people are Legally blind

[@meimei]

Knowing my sight is getting worse is scary (current on -5,5 and -6, and surgery only goes to -8), with build issues like depth, I’m still grateful to see

[@infinitedeath1384]

I'm so grateful to still have 20/20 vision. No loss in peripheral or central vision. Clarity is perfect, somehow even with an astigmatism in one eye. God knows what I would do without my vision. How would I enjoy movies or play video games?

[@TheHopperUK]

I have retinitis pigmentosa and was recently certified 'visually impaired' or what used to be called partially sighted here in the UK. My central vision is decent but my peripheral vision is diminishing fast. And my night vision is worse all the time! Interesting video, thanks for making it

[@Parr4]

I’ve got RP, too. I’m down to 10 degrees. So thankful for the vision I have remaining.

[@shesagem317]

My daughter has optic nerve hypoplasia, I have been told her blood vessels look massive in comparison, she can see light and dark but have been told it's comparable to having your eyes closed and being able to tell if it's day or night that way

[@loradurling2358]

Diagnosed diabetic retinopathy, 31 March 2009. had many laser treatments. That helped not going totally blind. Do not have cataracts. Thank you for this info

[@D3364N]

Can’t wait for the sequel, illegal blindness

[@glrinc7756]

So encouraging! I appreciate any positive, helpful advice. I have macular holes in both eyes. One was operated on to close the hole and I am now blind in that eye. I will not be having the same surgery in the other eye for fear of the same outcome even though my surgeon thinks it's "mandatory". I at least have clarity in the eye with the macular hole. I think that for some the surgery is successful but in my case made my world completely blurry. Love the OrCam. Glad it is an option for folks with reading problems like myself.

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npK9Y4mYad6BgMk

[@danabelden4492]

I'm legely blind I have the orcam love it.

[@MinDedGD]

"Illegaly blind" 💀

[@JoeR203]

My right eye has been legally blind since I was a kid. I had cataracts and my first surgery was before my 2nd birthday. They just kept coming back. So one year they operated on the right eye, next year, the left, next year, the right. I've had 9 surgeries by the time I was 10. This was early 70s, before the laser was approved. Best vision I remember having in my left eye was 20/35 with glasses. Then in 1996, the retina in that eye detached. Now I have diabetes and only my left eye was affected. I have spots similar to the ones shown in the example for Diabetic Retinopathy, but my spots are clustered on top of each other, and have a white ring around each spots. And they have a shimmering effect. Almost like having a constant strobe light going off in my eye. I also have something similar to the example shown for Macular Degeneration. Only it's not a black spot. It's cloudy grey. Almost like looking through a murky water droplet or smudge on my glasses. I've been waiting over a year for Social Security to decide about disability benefits, but they keep playing games. Like wanting me to go for a Humfrees exam at a doctor that's 60 miles from me, and who has only been in practice for 8 years. Whereas my doctor is 7 miles away and has been practicing for over 30 years.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

The approval process is frustrating. I have heard a lot of people say similar things. I wonder if a specific doctor has an instrument specific for diagnosing your limitations or if there is something specific to your state. Either way, I appreciate you sharing your experiences. It helps me better understand what people are going through.

[@JoeR203]

@@DoctorEyeHealth I had the visual field test done at my doctor's office. He was puzzled as to why Soc. Sec. even wanted that test performed since my central vision is what's more important.

[@kfl611]

Sometimes to grease the wheels, you might need to get a lawyer and threaten to sue the pants off of them. My sister was diagnosed with an issue, where she could not work. The ss admin said 'don't even think of collecting till you can prove you could not work for a year - thank you have a nice day'. Like she could not work, and not getting ssdi, how was she supposed to pay bills, duh ! She got a lawyer and eventually got declared disabled and got allocated back ssdi payments. If you just go oh well, and walk away, they are not going to go home an cry over it. What I'm saying is you have to fight for what you are due sometimes. I know it is not easing being challenged by sight issues, I've had my fair share all my life. I did find that taking Lutein pills helps me with not having floaters and cottony blurry spots. I was told the fluid in your eye changes in make up as you get older and can cause issues. Good luck.

[@JoeR203]

@@kfl611 I used a lawyer to file. It's just that SS takes their sweet ass time. They're not going to rush for anyone.

[@kfl611]

@@JoeR203 True, even though you have no doubt paid into the system for years, and even if you did not, your parents paid in for years. It seem so unfair and the system is not at all weighted in favor towards the joe average guy.

[@chipper23100]

Cool:).I have chronic tmj and its causing my eys to be very sensitive to light.Eye floaters and cant get my nose out my vision.If you made a video on peoples nose in vison that would be cool.For some reason when I wear sunglasses or blue reflectors I dont se my nose no more wich is good to train my brain ?...

[@mangotree1032]

There is someone out there with an NLP-OU license plate freaking out whatever eye doctor is driving behind them and I live for it

[@ThuyNguyen-ec1rb]

Thank you Doctor you are so helpful

[@americansmark]

My ex wife was close to legally blind. I forget what she had, but she had to use her phone to find her glasses if they fell off the nightstand. She'd stick her better eye up to the screen with the camera on to find things. She wore Coke bottles.

[@emilymorris5988]

I once was practically blind due to cataracts. I kept getting put off and sent to different doctors before I eventually had surgery. I previously had had eye surgeries treated with steroids which increased the development from cataracts. It literally was the difference between night and day. What angered me to this day is the fact I was working and had to drive to get back and forth, and I had to work in order to have health insurance, Anyway, my vision was so impaired I could not read any road signs, I saw rings that looked like oil slicks around traffic lights, and I could not even read the license plate of the car ahead when stopped at a traffic light. People were always honking at me and I could not understand why. I wore glasses because I had severe myopia but they did no good. I once asked a eye doctor what I was supposed to do about driving when she referred me to another eye doctor and she just said I don’t know. I could of killed somebody on the road because I was actually blind, utt because I had been driving for so long I could keep the car on the road.I thank God I never hurt anyone, but in no way with my vision loss should I have been behind the wheel. It took some time before I actually had surgery, and when I did the surgeon was actually told me in his own words “ you really had some big fat cataracts”. Every time I was examined they would make me look through an instrument with little tiny holes where I could see some, but I kept trying to tell them I could not see. The only blessing to all of this is that with my artificial lenses I can now drive without even having to wear glasses, and I had worn glasses since I was six years old. I just have had anger for having to be put through all this, and the fact I could have killed someone. I know I do not want to be driving down the road with someone as visually impaired as I was. Have you heard of any other cases like mine?

[@luciferstuckinhell2504]

Glad I saw this, I was told by the DMV that I was legally blind without my glasses... Now I know they had no idea what that actually means and I know what it actually is.

[@BehradJi]

that was a fantastic video good job!

[@devilsadvokid7656]

This is so helpful I’m going blind and It’s terrifying knowing I’m loosing an important sense slowly and that one day I won’t be able to experience things visually like I used too

[@ThePeach_PieHQ]

alright dr allen you've restored by faith in humanity

[@euphiemiadrake5633]

My vision is 20/800

[@9usuck0]

Before my laser eye surgery my vision was 20/450 or something. Laser was great, 20/20 now.

[@dadmomand3]

Great video! I have Macular Dystrophy. I’m trying to learn as much as I can.

[@rachelhamby4117]

Thanks for this video. I have Stargardt’s and explaining what I can and can’t see is complicated. I will check out the Orcam. Looks super helpful!

[@ShyShadows]

I am an ophthalmic assistant and I approve this message!

[@winter5264]

im glad i found a video that explained this because there's a youtuber i watch and sometimes she'll mention that she's legally blind and i had no idea what that meant

[@sparkplug0000]

I’ve never been scared of anything in my entire life, I grew up big, strong and fearless. Then I developed ocular hemorrhaging where I’d lose my vision for weeks at a time until it cleared up. I never knew when it might reoccur or to what degree the vision loss would be, or how long it would take to clear up. And each time, more and more floaters were left behind. Now I know what it’s like to be truly scared. I don’t like it.

[@mr.normalguy69]

So legal blindness is just partial blindness, while blindness is just blindness.

[@allaboutmycats454]

Glad you are helping people understand.

[@otiebrown9999]

Thank you, Dr. Allen, Very informative.

[@saadisara4078]

I really appreciate your hard work here 💙 and i learned so much about vision and eye deceases that normally many eye doctors don't bother to explain it to their patients

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

You're welcome! I'm so glad you're learning so much here.

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npK9Y4mYad6BgMk

[@Phoenix411th]

I hate being legally blind

[@breeneeley1219]

Me too, cause every time something new happens with your eyes, your like, is this a serious problem? Or is it nothing? And not being able to read small things sucks. Not driving sucks :/

[@lukapenavic1130]

​@@breeneeley1219Skill issue, im legally blind on one eye and still driving

[@lukapenavic1130]

​@@breeneeley1219just kidding, i know how tiring it is, dealing with lots of check ups, having problems doing everyday things and people not understanding that just because you can see some stuff you have problems, good luck, I hope it gets better

[@garnetsfriend]

thank you Dr. Allen for never using that friggin term "visually impaired." if something is visually impaired, they are ugly. if something is visually appealing, they are pretty. speak english people!! i am legally blind, mostly blind, very low vision or illegally sighted.

[@Mcree114]

As someone with tunnel vision/narrow field of view it's not just black around a circle of vision. For me it's more like the visual illusions the brain fills in the gaps in your peripheral surrounding a circle of central vision.

[@ashharder5204]

My dad is legally blind and he has to wear both contacts and glasses so he is able to see for most part and he has been legally blind since he was born but I do know one thing that is cool about it is that he can see clearly from directly in front of his eye to about 2 cm away from it

[@Lilscattz1]

i recently went to an opticians and now ive noticed my left eye has trouble focusing, but ive never noticed because my right eye accounts for it. make sure to go see an opticians occasionally, you never see these things coming.

[@kwitseo]

That's me. I had it for all my life.

[@teresastubblefield262]

Thank you for this. I have been diagnosed with Wet AMD in both eyes and I was wondering where to start. I have been doing things that make sense to me like using stickers to raise the surface of on/off spots and having everything in order in my kitchen. It is terrifying...especially as an artist. The links you gave are priceless to someone like me. Thank you so much...

[@amandareed6663]

Thankyou for your time to explain legal blindness

[@fareedrajack1]

Very good presentation. I'm a UK trained Ophthalmologist from Trinidad 🇹🇹.

[@squidwardtentacles2736]

i have retinitis pigmentosa with cone rod dystrophy so I'm legally blind in both eyes. Ive had to adapt to the point that I mask my blindness so I have to keep reminding ppl I'm with that I can't read signs or things far away. It's sort of a good and bad thing. I'm pretty independent and all but its weird to remind ppl that I'm still blind lol. It's so easy to get stuck in your own world sometimes and have to remember that everyone around you can't read your mind so you have to self-advocate which I struggled with when I was a kid because I just wanted to fit in with other kids.

[@paigemccall8401]

Thanks Dr. Allen! So glad I found your channel! I'm grateful for my glasses! I'm trying to talk my eye doctor into letting me try contacts but for some reason he is pushing back. Maybe my age?

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Thank you Paige!!! Me too. Appreciate you being here.

[@godislove7500]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npK9Y4mYad6BgMk

[@luisgomez1211]

I learned what is legally blind...thank you Dr....I have BRVO, Branch retinal vain occlucion...on my left eye, because stress...

[@juliac8689]

Thanks for a very informative video!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Glad it was helpful!!