In 2004 an employee becomes permanent and stationary for a bilateral loss of vision injury. How is the disability rated?

• A. Ratings are based on vision with best practicable correction.
• B. Whichever eye rates highest is used.
• C. Ratings are based on uncorrected vision.
• D. The standard rating shall be based on disability found under reduction of vision plus 1/2 the difference between disabilities 2.4 and 2.3.

Answer: (A)

Ratings for vision impairment are based on vision with best practicable correction. This means the degree of disability is measured after applying the most effective correction that can reasonably be achieved (glasses, contact lenses, or other correction) to each eye. It ensures the rating reflects the person’s functional vision when optimally corrected, not what the eye looks like without correction.

Using uncorrected vision would misrepresent true impairment, and choosing only the worse eye or applying a special bilateral formula isn’t how these ratings are structured. With bilateral loss, the assessment still relies on the best-corrected vision to determine the rating.