Legally Blind?

Question

My mother went to the optomitrist a few days ago and was informed she is now legally blind. She has to see a surgeon in a few days to see if she is a candidate for surgery or if her eyes are too bad.

Even if she was a candidate, we couldn't afford it. I have no idea why she is going in the first place.

So, are there glasses strong enough for her? Have you had experience with this (or had a friend/family member who has)?

Thoughts?

Just as a note:

My mother cannot recognize me if I'm more than a foot away from her. She can see that there is someone there, just not that it is me.

There are a lot of rude people on here...

What I was saying, is I don't know why she is going to the surgeon when she knows we can't afford it because of the debt we already are in.

I also do not know much about the term "legally blind" and what can and cannot be done in term of glasses.

Answer 1

I am legally blind and can still drive and function with glasses. I was not a candidate for the surgery

A suggestion about the cost is to contact the local Lions club they will send you an application to fill out and they may help cover all or part of either the glasses or the surgery.

My glasses are over 700 and with my insurance and the Lions help I only have to cover 200 of it

Hope this helps

Answer 2

I would imagine she is going to the surgeon because she would like the option of knowing whether her condition can be improved or not. Legally blind is a definition that says there is no correction by glasses that is going to make anything better. Beyond that, there are a lot of different ways the surgery could be paid for, including Medicare from Social Security disability (which she automatically qualifies for now) and grants from Lions Clubs. You haven't said what her condition is, but the three commonest I can think of all can that might have a surgical solution eventually lead to total blindness without treatment--glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataract. Glaucoma can be extremely painful, besides. Meanwhile, you should be talking to her and her doctor, not a bunch of people on the web...

Answer 3

You didn't mention what type of blindness she has. There are many causes and glasses can help some but not others. If surgery is an option, she try to save up the money, take out a loan or contact a state agency or private organization like the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.

Answer 4

Yes, I had a brother with a rare optical nerve disease, that was 21 when he was diagnosed and was totally blind by age 27.

Your Mother should go to the surgeon. She may receive medical help by the state that will pay for doctors and medicine to slow the progression of the disease,
plus EVERY hospital in the U.S.A. has a Federal Program for people who can't afford to pay for hospital treatments and/or operations, that the program will pay everything for her.

I hope this helps you , Honey! Good luck and may God Bless You Both.

Answer 5

I have a friend who's father is blind in one eye. They won't give him glasses cause it can make it worse. He is just dealing with it. He is deaf as well, but he has been all his life. They were talking about a seeing eye dog. I don't know if they got one yet. check out grants and see what your state can help you with as far as costs for things. good luck. I know its scary to have family going through these things.

Answer 6

Dude I think your a bimbo for asking ur not blind she's blind and u think she can see with glasses? Hello r u stupid?

My grandma is legally blind she had the surgery she fell down the stairs ran into the wall she tell me she gets scared cuse she can't see....

If your mom can get the surgery do it worry about the bill later maybe she could get another job or someting to pay for it?

Answer 7

I cant believe you don't understand why she wants to go through with the surgery? not sure what you are talking about with glasses. But i think you need to support and help your mother as much as you can. It may be hard financially but see if there are any Charity's or organizations that my be able to help with $ or see if there are any special health insurance companies that specialize in this.

Answer 8

they consider anyone that has a prescription greater than +/- 9 to be legally blind... they can still see with glasses, but not near as well as someone who is not legally blind... they should be still able to drive, it all depends on how bad their prescription is! my aunt is at a -9, and she can still drive fine... with her glasses she can even read street signs that i can't see and i'm only a -2... so it all depends on how bad they are.