Table 1

Categories of severity of visual impairment according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases [1].

Category of visual impairment
Visual acuity with best possible correction
Or central visual field*
Classified as





Maximum less than
Minimum equal to or better than



1
6/18
3/10 (0.3)
20/70
6/60
1/10 (0.1)
20/200

Low vision
2
6/60
1/10 (0.1)
20/200
3/60
1/20 (0.05)
20/400

Low vision
3
3/60
1/20 (0.05)
20/400
1/60 (finger counting at 1 metre)
1/50 (0.02)
5/300 (20/1200)
10° or less but more than 5°
Blindness
4
1/60 (finger counting at 1 metre)
1/50 (0.02)
5/300
Light perception
5° or less
Blindness
5
No light perception

Blindness
9
Undetermined or unspecified

Unspecified

*Visual field restriction criteria applicable even if visual acuity is better than for that category of visual impairment.

Dandona and Dandona BMC Medicine 2006 4:7   doi:10.1186/1741-7015-4-7