In the U.S., what visual acuity defines legal blindness?

Legal blindness in the U.S. is defined as a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better-seeing eye, with the best possible correction. This means that an individual with legal blindness would need to be at a distance of 200 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 20 feet. This definition is significant because it establishes eligibility for various services and benefits available to visually impaired individuals.

The distinction of 20/200 as the threshold reflects how significantly impaired vision can affect one’s ability to carry out daily activities and requires specific accommodations. The emphasis on "the better-seeing eye" is crucial since it takes into account an individual's best corrected vision rather than an average of both eyes, ensuring a consistent standard is applied for those who might have varying levels of vision in each eye.

Additionally, although other levels of visual acuity, such as 20/50, 20/100, or 20/400, are important in the context of assessing visual function or determining various types of visual impairment, they do not fall under the legal classification of blindness as defined by the U.S. law. Thus, the answer is grounded in the legal standards set forth for visual impairment assessments in the United States