During a rapid assessment survey, a man has a presenting visual acuity of 6/24 in the better eye. According to the WHO classification of visual impairment, he is classified as having:
- A Severe visual impairment (category 2) ✓
- B Moderate visual impairment (category 1)
- C Mild or no visual impairment (category 0)
- D Blindness (category 3)
Correct answer: A. Severe visual impairment (category 2)
Explanation
Category 2, severe visual impairment, covers presenting acuity worse than 6/18 up to and including 6/60 in the better eye, and 6/24 falls squarely in this band. Category 1 ends at 6/18, killing distractor B, and blindness begins below 6/60, killing distractor D. Categories 3, 4 and 5 together constitute blindness, a grouping frequently tested against single category boundaries.
Reference: Parsons' Diseases of the Eye, 23rd ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.