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Nicz2009 · Nov 13, 2012, 07:30 AM

I am responding to this ebsite, because I am wondering if anyone on here or that passes through here can offer suggestions or even information that may help me understand where I am at. I have just recently been denied a job because I cannot see out of my left eye at all, and as far as my eye doctor has told me, my eye is not correctable, they just mirror the weight and size of the lense for my right eye, so it doesn't look weird, but I can't see out of it. I have gotten several opinions from different doctors and they seem to think I was born not being able to see out my lef eye, and I never noticed until an eye doctor pointed it out. I am not sure what qualifies as legally blind or if in my case that is what's going on, but I lost a job offer because I failed the exam. This is upsetting, but I hope to find answers hereand maybe what to do or what it could be, Thank you.

smoothy · Nov 13, 2012, 07:41 AM

The legal definition for legally blind is likely to vary depending on where you live in the world. It would help to know at least which country you live in.

Nicz2009 · Nov 13, 2012, 07:49 AM

I live in the United States, and I realize I made some errors above, meh. I am just not sure how to proceed and I didn't realize how limited I am because I cannot see out of my left eye.

J_9 · Nov 13, 2012, 08:06 AM

Let me see if I understand.

You have been "blind" in this eye all your life, but you just found out about it? So, what happens if you close your right eye?

Nicz2009 · Nov 13, 2012, 08:30 AM

If I close my left eye I cannot see anything, there is blackness, except for the far left bottom corner there is blurred light on the side. And I never noticed that that was the case, I thought I could see out of both of my eyes, but I have just been completely relying on my right eye.

J_9 · Nov 13, 2012, 09:05 AM

Okay, I understand now, but what is your question for us?

Nicz2009 · Nov 13, 2012, 09:08 AM

I am not sure what to really do, or if I would qualify as being legally blind, I know it has hindered me getting this job, and was the only reason why I didn't get it, and I have not been able to get other jobs due to this.

ScottGem · Nov 13, 2012, 09:10 AM

J_9 asks a key question. What do you want?

What I can suggest is that you start here ADA Home Page - ada.gov - Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act to see if you qualify as a disabled person. And what can be done about it.

As to being denied the job, they apparently felt that your lack of vision would inhibit your ability to do the job or the job could be dangerous to you (obviously your peripheral vision is limited). They are probably within their rights to do so.

Nicz2009 · Nov 13, 2012, 09:18 AM

He or She asked "What is your question?" not "What do you want?" Nothing I stated shows I really want anything, besides information. I am basically trying to see if anyone knows anything on this type of situation, and I have read up about the requirements for being legally blind, but I am not quite sure on them. I get the idea from reading the guidelines that being blind in one eye is not considered being legally blind.. I am just curious if anyone else knows more about this?

smoothy · Nov 13, 2012, 09:46 AM

Legally blind... no. But you will be disqualified for jobs that require depth perception... and or peripheral vision as was suggested, as in some cases that would create potientially hazardous conditions for either you or other people...

You didn't state what type of job this was as there are many types of jobs this would not be a hindrance towards.

Nicz2009 · Nov 13, 2012, 09:51 AM

Well, it was a government job. And I assume there is no partial disability for someone blind in only one eye? I am not sure how bad my vision is in my right eye, but it is declining rather fast. The eye sight in my right eye is getting worse, but when I ask my eye doctors about information involving this, they never answer me. I just feel lost and am getting pointed to places I have already been before or looked up. And to be hindered in the work environment because of being born this way is really messed up.

smoothy · Nov 13, 2012, 11:05 AM

THe fact your vision is failing in your one good eye also is a factor in their decision...

THere aren't a lot of jobs a newly blind person can do... ( without a LOT of retraining which takes time) and that might also be a reason.

I assume you are talking the USA... its also difficult if not impossible to get hired into the governemnt past a certain age as well... because you will not have worked a certain number of years in that job before becoming retirement age.

Nicz2009 · Nov 13, 2012, 04:30 PM

Yes, I did contact SSA to apply for disability and the lady did say that I will have trouble finding a job and that they can schedule an appointment with one of their eye doctors so I can finally figure all this out and hopefully find some answers and get some form of aid or help. Thank you for your responses.