NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

Ervin AM, Boland MV, Myrowitz EH, et al. Screening for Glaucoma: Comparative Effectiveness [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2012 Apr. (Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, No. 59.)

  • This publication is provided for historical reference only and the information may be out of date.

This publication is provided for historical reference only and the information may be out of date.

Appendix DICD-9 Classification

DefinitionSnellen
Fractions/Decimals
Visual FieldsClinical Assessment; Count Fingers, Hand Movement, Light Perception
NORMAL VISION20/10 20/13 20/16 20/20 20/25
2.0 1.6 1.25 1.0 0.8
NEAR-NORMAL VISION20/30 20/40 20/50 20/60
0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3
MODERATE VISUAL IMPAIRMENT20/70 20/80 20/100 20/125 20/160
0.25 0.20 0.16 0.12
SEVERE VISUAL IMPAIRMENT20/200 20/250 20/320 20/400
0.10 0.08 0.06 0.05
Visual field:
20 degrees or less
PROFOUND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT BLINDNESS20/500 20/630 20/800 20/1000
0.04 0.03 0.025 0.02
Visual field:
10 degrees or less
Count fingers at less than 3m (10 ft)
NEAR-TOTAL VISUAL IMPAIRMENTVisual acuity:
less than 0.02
Visual field:
5 degrees or less (One or both eyes)
Both eyes:
Count fingers: 1m (3 ft) or less
Hand movements: 5m (15 ft) or less
Light projection, light perception
TOTAL VISUAL IMPAIRMENTTotal blindness
No light perception (NLP)

Visual acuity refers to best achievable acuity with correction.

Non-listed Snellen fractions may be classified by converting to the nearest decimal equivalent, e.g. 10/200 = 0.05, 6/30 = 0.20.

CF (count fingers) without designation of distance, may be classified to profound impairment.

HM (hand motion) without designation of distance, may be classified to near-total impairment.

Visual field measurements refer to the largest