Manifest blindness describes a profound degree of visual impairment, characterized by a severely limited ability to see.
This specific category of blindness is defined by visual acuity ranging from 1/60 vision to merely the perception of light. This means:
- 1/60 Vision: An individual with this level of sight can only discern at 1 foot what a person with normal vision could see clearly at 60 feet. It signifies a very restricted range of clear vision.
- Perception of Light: At its most severe, manifest blindness means the individual can only distinguish between the presence or absence of light, without being able to perceive shapes, colors, or detailed images.
To better understand the spectrum of visual impairment, it's helpful to compare manifest blindness with other classifications of severe vision loss:
| Level of Visual Impairment | Description |
|---|---|
| Manifest Blindness | Vision ranging from 1/60 to just the perception of light. |
| Absolute Blindness | Characterized by a complete absence of light perception. No visual input whatsoever. |
Individuals experiencing manifest blindness typically face significant daily challenges, requiring substantial support and adaptive strategies for navigation, reading, and performing daily tasks. While they may still distinguish light, their functional vision is extremely limited, differing considerably from absolute blindness where no light is perceived at all.
