What does SSA require to approve a claim for loss of central visual acuity?

Under SSA Blue Book Listing 2.02 (Loss of central visual acuity), a claim meet any one of the criteria below. There is 1 criterion, and much of the medical evidence must be documented (imaging, labs, or specialist reports). Meeting a listing is one route to approval; claims can also be approved on medical-vocational grounds.

Listing 2.02 · Special senses & speech

Loss of central visual acuity

To be approved under this listing, a claim must meet any one of the criteria below — and the medical records have to prove it.

A
Best-corrected central visual acuity 20/200 or less in the better eye.
In plain terms: What's the best-corrected vision in your better eye? 20/200 or worse — meaning legal blindness?
Evidence required:Visual field testTreating physician report

Read the official SSA text for Listing 2.02

Estimate the odds

Historical approval rates for a claim like this — by state, age, and stage.

Approval odds by condition

How claims for this body system fare through the process.

Other special senses & speech listings

Contraction of the visual field in the better eye Loss of visual efficiency or visual impairment Hearing loss not treated with cochlear implantation Hearing loss treated with cochlear implantation Vertigo (Ménière, vestibular)

Source: SSA Listing of Impairments (Blue Book), 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 · Updated 2026-07-31. Criteria paraphrased for readability; see the official SSA text linked above. Not legal or medical advice — whether a specific medical record meets Listing 2.02 is an individualized judgment SSA makes on the evidence.

Get your free SSDI report