9.1.5 Eye and sight impairments

Eye or sight losses compensated under this element of the Third Schedule in the 1930 Act are:

Note that a client who loses all the sight of an eye should be compensated on the basis of a total loss of that eye, even if the sight in that eye was already impaired before the injury.

Note also the effect of S12(3):

12(3) Where an employee sustains an injury which causes the loss of the sight of both eyes or of an only useful eye, any compensation previously paid under this section in respect of loss of sight shall be deducted from the compensation payable under this section.

Compensation under the above table only applies where the loss of eye(s) or sight is total and permanent. For compensation for a partial loss of sight, see below.

Assessment is made on uncorrected vision

Loss of sight should be assessed on the basis of uncorrected vision (e.g. without spectacles or contact lenses) in respect of the client's sight both before and after the compensable injury.