The World Health Organization defines blindness as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) less than what in the better eye using the new 2003 ICD-10 revision for visual impairment categories?
- A < 3/60 (< 20/400) ✓
- B < 6/60 (< 20/200)
- C < 6/18 (< 20/60)
- D < 1/60 (< 20/1200)
Correct answer: A. < 3/60 (< 20/400)
Explanation
The WHO 2003 ICD-10 revision defines blindness as BCVA < 3/60 (< 20/400 or < 0.05) or visual field < 10° around central fixation in the better eye. The older WHO 1980 definition used < 3/60 for blindness and < 6/18 for visual impairment. BCVA < 6/60 represented moderate-severe visual impairment in the 2003 classification. India's NPCB previously used < 6/60 as the definition of blindness but updated to align with WHO.
Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.