The World Health Organization (WHO) defines blindness as visual acuity less than:
- A 6/60 in the better eye with best correction
- B 3/60 (or finger counting at 3 metres) in the better eye with best correction ✓
- C 6/18 in the better eye
- D 6/60 in the worse eye
Correct answer: B. 3/60 (or finger counting at 3 metres) in the better eye with best correction
Explanation
WHO defines blindness as VA <3/60 (or less than finger counting at 3 metres, or visual field <10 degrees around central fixation) in the better eye with best available correction. Visual acuity <6/60 to ≥3/60 is classified as 'severe visual impairment' (ICD-10 category 2). Visual acuity <6/18 is 'moderate visual impairment' (ICD-10 category 1). India has also used <6/60 in the better eye as the operational definition for the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB), but the WHO and ICD-11 standard is <3/60.
Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.