Totally Blind

Someone who has very little or no sight at all. They may, however, be able to perceive some light or see the difference between light and dark, or recognise shapes, but not detail.

Legally Blind

Someone who is "legally blind" meets the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's membership criteria. This is where your visual acuity does not exceed 6/24 in the better eye with corrective lenses, or you have serious limitations in your feild of vision generally not greater than 20 degrees in the widest diameter. This means, if you can't read a newspaper headline at arm's length with your glasses on, you may be eligible to receive RNZFB services.

Vision Impairment

A condition which causes sight loss e.g. cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma, myopia.

Short Sighted

This is when the eye doesn't see things in the distance, but sees things up close clearly. This condition can be corrected with glasses.

Far Sighted

The eye sees things at a distance better than those which are close. This condition can also be corrected with glasses.

Peripheral Vision

Side vision.

6/6 Vision (used to be called 20/20 Vision)

Perfect vision. If you have 6/6 vision, you can see at 6 metres what someone with perfect vision can see at 6 metres.

Dispensing Optician

A trained technician who makes spectacles (eye glasses) to a prescription written by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Optometrist

An eye specialist who examines eyes for all vision problems and specialises in the non-medical correction of eye problems by prescribing contact lenses, glasses or vision therapy. An optometrist will often refer patients to an ophthalmologist if an abnormality is found requiring medical treatment. They can also refer people to the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind.

Ophthalmologist

A doctor who specialises in the medical and surgical treatment of eye conditions as well as prescribe contact lenses and spectacles. An ophthalmologist may also refer patients to low vision clinics or to the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind.

Low Vision Clinic

A place where specialists assist people with vision impairments to make the most of their remaining vision, by showing them how to use magnifiers, lighting, and other low vision aids.

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