Glaucoma silently affects millions worldwide, with over 3 million Americans grappling with this condition. Known as the ‘sneak thief of sight,’ glaucoma can profoundly impact a person’s life, often leading to significant limitations within a few years of diagnosis.
Glaucoma Defined
Glaucoma is more than just one disease. It’s a group of eye problems that harm the optic nerve, which is critical for sight. This harm often happens because of too much pressure inside your eye. When glaucoma starts, you usually don’t feel pain or notice you are losing your sight, making regular eye doctor visits very important.
If glaucoma gets worse, it can cause your vision to narrow, make it hard to see at night, and eventually lead to severe and permanent loss of sight.
Symptoms of Glaucoma:
- Vomiting,
- Low vision, narrowed vision, blurred vision, or blind spots,
- Headaches,
- Eye pain or pressure.
Risk Factors for Glaucoma:
- Older age,
- Diabetes (doubles the risk),
- Family history of glaucoma,
- Being farsighted or nearsighted,
- High or very low blood pressure,
- Long-term use of corticosteroids,
- Past eye injury or surgery.
What Makes Glaucoma Worse?
The fluid inside the eye, called aqueous humor, can’t drain properly. This causes pressure to build up, which can damage the optic nerve and lead to glaucoma.
When Does Glaucoma Qualify as a Disability?
Glaucoma can be considered a disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA) if it’s severe and stops you from working for at least 12 months. According to the Blue Book listing for eye diseases and their eligibility for social security, here’s what you need to prove:
- Loss of a big part of your peripheral vision,
- Visual acuity of 20/200 or less in your better eye (even with glasses),
- Visual efficiency of 20% or less in your better eye.
If your glaucoma doesn’t fit these specific points but still affects your ability to perform any substantial gainful activity (SGA), you can fill out a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form. This version of the application process shows in detail how glaucoma limits what you can do.
Evidence Needed To Strengthen Your Claim
If you think about applying for disability because of glaucoma, you need to gather lots of medical proof. This includes:
- Detailed reports from your eye doctor noting vision loss and your ability to perform
- Results from vision tests like the Confrontation Visual Field eye exam
- Records of how glaucoma affects your daily life, like making it hard to read, drive, or do your job
Important Tests for Glaucoma Disability Claims:
- Confrontation Visual Field Exam: This measures how well you can see around the edges of your vision.
- Tangent screen and Goldmann field exams: These are more detailed tests for checking your peripheral vision.
How Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates, Ltd. Can Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with glaucoma and contemplating a total disability claim, it’s vital to seek legal guidance. Navigating the complexities of disability law can be challenging, but Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates, Ltd., offers comprehensive support to ensure your journey through the disability claim process is smooth and successful.
Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates, Ltd., can assist in various ways:
- Personalized Assessment: They start by thoroughly understanding your specific case of glaucoma, ensuring that your unique needs are addressed.
- Gathering Medical Evidence: The team helps in compiling all necessary medical documentation, including detailed reports from your eye doctor and results from essential vision tests.
- Filling Out Crucial Forms: They guide you through filling out the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form and other important paperwork, making sure every detail is accurately captured.
- Navigating SSA Criteria: With their deep knowledge of SSA criteria, they can assess whether your glaucoma meets the required standards for a disability claim.
- Representation and Advocacy: In case of hearings or appeals, they offer strong representation and advocacy on your behalf.
- Continuous Support: Throughout the process, they provide ongoing support and keep you informed about the status of your claim.
You can ensure that your claim is presented effectively, and your rights are fully protected with our help. Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates, Ltd., not only brings their legal experience in disability law but also a compassionate understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with glaucoma. We ensure that you will feel supported and valued at every step of the process.
Contact us now for your free consultation.
