high rate mobility - registered blind

nannytone_2

i have asjed a sunilar question before, but am still looking for a difinitive answer.

for high rate mobility the criteria is -
total loss of peripheral field... which i have
central vision of not more than 10 degrees .... mine is 5 degrees

now heres the confusing part.....

visual acuity of less than 6/60... mine is 6/60 in my left eye, but im counting fingers with my right eye as i cant see the chart, let alone read it!

so that tells me that i dont qualify.

but it them goes on to say
f your visual acuity is better than 6/60 you will not qualify, for example if your acuity is 6/36 or 6/18.

so the first part says 'less than 6/60 and the second part says 'better than 6/60'

so is 6/60 a class apart as it doesnt seem to be covered by euther statement

rogerblack

nannytone wrote: »

i have asjed a sunilar question before, but am still looking for a difinitive answer.

61335 People are severely visually impaired if
1.
they have visual acuity, with appropriate corrective lenses if necessary, of less than 3/60 or
2.
they have
2.1 visual acuity of 3/60 or more, but less than 6/60, with appropriate corrective lenses if necessary and
2.2 a complete loss of peripheral visual field and
2.3 a central visual field of no more that 10° in total2.

The notes then go on to clarify that it's combined visual acuity which matters.
So, your bad eye doesn't matter, only your good one (in this case).

In short - I read the criteria as:
If you have a combined visual acuity of 3/60 - you qualify - no other questions - visual field and other things don't matter.

To otherwise qualify, you need to have all three of:
An acuity of between 3/60 and 6/60
a complete loss of peripheral vision
a central visual field of no more than 10 degrees.

As I read this criteria - if you have a visual ability of 6/60 or over centrally - you cannot get HRM on this basis - even if you meet the other two criteria.

nannytone_2

i unserstand that but the wording used is 'more than 6/60' and 'less than 6/60'

it is from the RNIB site and i have also read it somewhere else.... but cant remember where at the moment

GlasweJen

What's your binocular vision like and do you get any improvement with pinhole?

6/60 on its own is borderline for the HRM criteria but do you have a + or - beside your VA with a number? 6/60 + means you're getting figures on the next line down, 6/60 - means you're not able to get the full 6/60 line but you're reading most of it. If you're 6/60- then you're technically qualifying for HRM.

I know your specialist isn't being very helpful but your records will say somewhere what your VA is, I'd be sneaky and ask his secretary for it or if you still see an optician ask them to request it for you.

nannytone_2

with both eyes together i can read the top letter only.

left eye alone .... tip letter only
right eye ... finger counting

glasses make no sifference and the pin point foesnt work

i was referred to a different hospital and saw a new specialist today who says she will support me.

i just wanyed to be sure i actually meet the criteria before i get back on the DLA bandwagon

all thats been said is that the vision in my better eye is 6/60.

there is no whole line to read ... it's just a single letter!!

GlasweJen

I always thought hospitals used a variation of our charts to assess vision worse than 6/60 - seems I'm wrong.

Have you had your 2nd opinion yet or are you still waiting to see them?

nannytone_2

i saw the new consultant this afternoon,
she seemed to think that i qualified.... but medical professionals are notoriously bad at knowing benefit criteria.

she went straight from they eye chart, to golding up fingers for my poorer eye, and seemed happy enough with the fact that i could read the single letter at the top of the chart with my better eye.
i was mortified, as a year agi i could read the top letter with each eye, and had a good try at the second line with my better eye.

they didnt even do a field test on my poorer eye.
and i only clicked the button 6 tomes with my better eye.

rogerblack

nannytone wrote: »

i unserstand that but the wording used is 'more than 6/60' and 'less than 6/60'

it is from the RNIB site and i have also read it somewhere else.... but cant remember where at the moment

The wording I'm quoting is from the decision makers guide - the RNIB site is not definitive.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch61.pdf

It does not mention "more than 6/60".

Either eye alone does not matter - your ability with both eyes alone is what matters.

If all you can get from the consultant is a bare '6/60' - you do not qualify.

In April, new claims will go to PIP.
These do away with the sight test entirely as I understand it.

You are entitled to enhanced mobility under PIP if and only if you:
"Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid. - Score 12"

If you can do this safely, you would not qualify.

nannytone_2

that may suit me better then as i cant go outside the door on my own. i dont see kerb, steps or anything that maybe on the pavement that is below eye level ..... and quite often i dont even see things that are at eye level....
i dont even recognise members of my own family that are next to me until they speak!

anpther question roger ....

would you lay yourself open to PIP before you needed to?
none of us really know how it is going to work yet...

rogerblack

nannytone wrote: »

would you lay yourself open to PIP before you needed to?
none of us really know how it is going to work yet...

You can only make a new claim for PIP if you do not have an existing DLA award.
There will be - for most - no choice in this.

If it is not possible to get a statement saying 'Less than 6/60' from the consultant, then it is not possible to get DLA HRM on these grounds.

There may be other reasons that entitle you to a care award, I don't know if your sight is the 'only' problem you have.

As to PIP - well - the criteria will be not bedded in well, and there will be inconsistencies in application.
This is not always bad for the claimant.

You can get a complete copy of your medical records from the hospital, for at most £50.

nannytone_2

i already get low rate care and mobility. i asked for a review and was given 'no change'
my sight is sufficiently poor for social services to award me a direct payment budget of just over 1k a month.
this is mostly used to enable me to have some recreation time ... i use the gym and like to swim.
i cant do anything that requires readubg, i cant cook safely, cant run a bath as i cant see the water, cant choose my ownc clothes as im totaly colour blind.
i even have to have someone to do my hair for me.
they seem to think i should be happy to sit at home all the time, listening to the television!
ive always been a very active person and i reduse to sit home and stagnate if i have any other option!