1.1.P.210 Permanent blindness (DSP, Age)

Definition

When determining permanent blindness for the purposes of DSP or Age, the following guidelines are applied:

• corrected visual acuity (1.1.V.50) on the Snellen Scale must be less than 6/60 in both eyes, or
• constriction to within 10 degrees or less of arc of central fixation in the better eye, irrespective of corrected visual acuity, or
• a combination of visual defects resulting in the same degree of visual impairment as that occurring in the above points.

Act reference: SSAct section 95 Qualification for DSP-permanent blindness, schedule 1B table 13 Visual Acuity in the Bettery Eye, schedule 1B table 15 Visual Fields

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.1 DSP - Qualification & Payability, 3.6.2.40 Assessment of Blindness for DSP

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Last reviewed: 1 July 2010