A person is considered blind who has a central vision acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with proper correction or whose peripheral visual fields are contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of the remaining visual field subtends the angular distance no greater than 20 degrees regardless of the central visual acuity.

1. 1. 

   In general, “permanent and total disability” means that the individual has some permanent physical or mental impairment, disease or loss that substantially precludes him from engaging in useful occupations within his competence, such as holding a job or homemaking. The impairment may be physical or mental, organic, functional, and of such a degree as to interfere with the individual's faculties, such as senses, reasoning, mobility, etc. It may exist from birth, be acquired during the lifetime of the individual, or result from accidents. It may be obvious, such as loss of a limb, or it may be such that it can be revealed only by a medical examination. It may be static or progressive. It may exist singly or in combinations.

2. 2. 

   The term “permanent” refers to physiological, anatomical, or emotional impairment verified by medical findings. The doctor carries responsibility for providing the agency with information which bears on this part of the eligibility factor. The term “permanent” should be defined in the practical nature and not in an absolute sense; thus; the term need not be used in the sense of “everlasting,” “unchangeable,” etc., but may be used relatively in the sense of continuing indefinitely, as distinct from “temporary” or “transient”.

   Permanent disability is one which is permanent in nature, that is:

   1. a. 

      for which there is no known therapy which gives reasonable expectations of curing or controlling the disability within the foreseeable future; or

   2. b. 

      which is static or progressive so long as therapy is not available to the patient; or

   3. c. 

      for which therapy is inadvisable in medical opinion; or

   4. d. 

      for which therapy is inadvisable in the judgment of a reasonably prudent person.

3. 3. 

   The term “total” like “permanent” is not an absolute term in that it must be considered in reference to the ability of the person as revealed by the facts of the case, to perform those activities necessary to carrying out specified responsibilities, such as those necessary to employment or homemaking. “Total” involves consideration of social information in addition to those verified through the medical findings, such as age, education, training, skills, and work experience, and the probable functioning of the individual in his particular situation in light of his impairment. No time factor is involved in the concept of being totally disabled.