What does the term "partially sighted" refer to in terms of visual acuity?

The term "partially sighted" typically refers to individuals who have visual acuity that falls within a specific range that indicates visual impairment. In this context, having a visual acuity of 20/70 or less signifies that a person has lost some degree of vision, but is not completely blind. This can affect their ability to perform everyday tasks and navigate their environment, necessitating the use of visual aids or other support.

Visual acuity measures how well a person can see at a distance, with the first number indicating the distance from which the eye is tested and the second number indicating what a person with normal vision can see at that distance. Therefore, those classified as "partially sighted" may still retain some level of functional vision, allowing them a degree of independence, even though their visual capabilities are compromised.

Other options denote different categories of vision. For instance, 20/20 vision represents normal visual acuity, while 20/200 or less signals legal blindness. Normal vision refers to optimal visual ability absent of impairment. In this sense, the classification of partially sighted specifically highlights those who have some vision but are significantly limited compared to the standard visual acuity benchmarks.