42 CFR § 435.530 - Definition of blindness.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t42/s435.530"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "42 CFR § 435.530 - Definition of blindness."
title_number: 42
title_name: "Public Health"
section_number: "435.530"
section_name: "Definition of blindness."
chapter_name: "CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS"
part_number: "435"
part_name: "ELIGIBILITY IN THE STATES, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS, AND AMERICAN SAMOA"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 1302."
regulatory_source: "43 FR 45204, Sept. 29, 1978, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "435"
---


# 435.530 Definition of blindness.

(a) *Definition.* The agency must use the same definition of blindness as used under SSI, except that—

(1) In determining the eligibility of individuals whose Medicaid eligibility is protected under §§ 435.130 through 435.134, the agency must use the definition of blindness that was used under the Medicaid plan in December 1973; and

(2) The agency may use a more restrictive definition to determine eligibility under § 435.121, if the definition is no more restrictive than that used under the Medicaid plan on January 1, 1972.

(b) *State plan requirement.* The State plan must contain the definition of blindness, expressed in ophthalmic measurements.