Does having only one eye count as a disability?

GlasweJen

If you lose an eye but have good vision in the other than no, you're not considered to be disabled. This is particularly true if you have enough vision to allow you to drive!

nedmundo

Lirin wrote: »

There's an optician on here- nedmundo- who would be good to contact. I may be wrong, but from what I understand, I'd need to be almost blind in the remaining eye to be considered as partially sighted or disabled.

Ah - bless. Just to confirm, having one good eye doesn't count as a disability I'm afraid.

Indie_Kid

nedmundo wrote: »

Ah - bless. Just to confirm, having one good eye doesn't count as a disability I'm afraid.

It depends on how having the use of one eye affects someones' ability to carry out day-to-day activities.

GlasweJen

It is generally accepted that having one eye where poor vision cannot be corrected is not a disability as monocular vision is adequate for day to day activities. The same applies to people who lose an eye - once the initial shock of losing the eye is over the actual loss of vision on one side is not enough to register as partially sighted or blind unless the vision in the remaining eye cannot be corrected to a decent standard.

moonrakerz

Gordon Brown had only one eye - he disabled the whole country !

nedmundo

sh1305 wrote: »

It depends on how having the use of one eye affects someones' ability to carry out day-to-day activities.

As far as state benefit is concerned, it doesn't mean automatic entitlement.

Lirin

I did consider trying for disabled once- an old optician recommended it. but, it would never have felt right for me. I'm able, never been held back, never affected me in any way (apart from learning to shoot in right-side guns!), and I happily agree to any work risk assessments.
I'm probably a more careful driver as a result, as I'm very aware of how easy it could be to pin an accident on me, and most of my friends and family make an effort to walk on my good side. Doesn't particularly bother me which side they walk on, but it's nice to see them.

I drive, shoot, work as a photographer, and generally do whatever I want- I have no restrictions.

When I changed opticians, the new one had a long chat with me, and that's how the disabled area came up. He'd asked me about it- was listed in my notes- and told him I never took it. (got a letter from some government dept as far as I recall, offering me it when I was 12 or so?).

What was made clear was that if I claimed it now, the one query that would be asked is how i managed without claiming it for so long. I wouldn't feel right claiming for it, as since I have never had sight in that eye, I don't feel as if it's disabling me in any way- I've never known anything else.

It is funny though, everyone asks the same questions....
"What, you're blind? Really? Can you see my fingers?" (Waggling in front of my good eye.) "How many am I holding up?"
"You don't look any different. You look.... normal...."

Ned- optic nerve hypoplasia is what I have.

Indie_Kid

Lirin wrote: »

It is funny though, everyone asks the same questions....
"What, you're blind? Really? Can you see my fingers?" (Waggling in front of my good eye.) "How many am I holding up?"
"You don't look any different. You look.... normal...."

Ned- optic nerve hypoploxia is what I have.

I'm partially sighted in both eyes. I once had someone ask if I could see...

G-MIKI

The current World Microlight Champion has only one eye, and a lot of the tasks call for good observation!

KeaneFan10

I have been blind in one eye since birth and no i have never claimed anything because i can see out my other eye and its something you get used too, and just passed my driving test so i can also drive its never held me back !