The authors inform there is no conflict of interest.
INTRODUCTION: Since September 2011, the manual that defines individuals with disabilities has considered those with monocular vision as disabled. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) (1), monocular vision is characterized by irreversible vision loss in one eye, with visual acuity lower than 20/400 even with the best optical correction. This situation requires the physician’s attention to understand both the adaptation of the remaining eye and the individual’s work capacity, who must learn to live with this visual loss and its consequences (2). It is known that this condition leads to changes in the visual field corresponding to the affected eye and complicates depth perception due to the loss of binocular vision (3). However, over time, functional adaptation occurs, and the brain adjusts based on the visual information received from the functional eye (4).
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether monocular vision causes omniprofessional disability.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review on monocular vision, technical opinions, resolutions of the National Traffic Council, regulations of the Office of the General Counsel of the National Treasury, and jurisprudence were used.
DISCUSSION: Unilateral visual impairment, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), refers to vision loss in one eye in which, even with the best optical correction, visual acuity is less than 20/400(1). This visual loss can compromise certain professional activities, such as piloting an airplane, working as a professional driver, or requiring stereoscopic vision to be a surgeon, for example. In these specific activities, the integrity of the optical pathways in both eyes is necessary for proper performance (7). However, individuals with monocular vision can obtain a type B National Driver’s License (CNH) and perform most daily activities without difficulty (8). When comparing monocular vision to total blindness, it becomes evident how functional a monocular individual can be (9). This understanding allows us to conclude that, although considered a disability, monocular vision constitutes a partial and permanent multiprofessional impairment and does not meet the criteria for total and permanent omniprofessional disability, as most occupational activities can be performed without impediment (10, 11). Of course, there are exceptions, especially for individuals without prior visual impairments whose regular functions involve activities that are compromised if they lose monocular vision and rehabilitation is not an option. For social security purposes, in such cases, it is acceptable to consider total and permanent disability, warranting a disability pension (12).
CONCLUSION: For forensic purposes, despite the loss of vision in one eye, there is no disabling condition that prevents the performance of any work activity. Although current legislation considers the individual with monocular vision as disabled, they are not totally and permanently omniprofessionally disabled, as professional restrictions apply to specific activities. Therefore, it is possible to exercise most professions, without preventing the performance of daily work tasks (5, 6).
Bibliographical references
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10. INSTITUTO DE ESTUDOS PREVIDENCIÁRIOS. Manual Aposentadoria Especial dos Deficientes e Fatores Multiplicadores. Belo Horizonte, [2013].
11. LOPES, Lais de Figueirêdo. Nova concepção sobre pessoas com deficiência com base nos direitos humanos. Revista Brasileira de Tradução Visual, Recife, v. 17, n. 17, 2014.
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