Can individuals who are not completely blind but have visual impairments still receive a trained guide dog from organizations like “The Seeing Eye”?

Yes, and crazier yet, someone with 20/20 vision can be classified as legally blind. This is because the definition of legal blindness also considers peripheral vision loss. If a person can see only a ten degree visual field in each eye, they would be classified as legally blind. Many people who use a white cane or have a dog have profound visual field loss. Think of it this way – take two empty paper towel tubes and look though them like you would with binoculars. Everything is still clear straight ahead but if you were walking around, you wouldn’t see anything below or to the sides without dramatic head movements. Curbs, steps, cracked sidewalks, and any obstacle on the floor or street would be your arch enemy. guide dogs and canes can be an extension of the eyes to help navigate where you are in the world. As with type 1 diabetes, there are no cures for many serious eye diseases, but like diabetes, there are many new and upcoming electronic ‘fixes’ that can allow you to lead a more normal lifestyle. Persons with diabetes have continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps. Persons with vision loss can use “low tech” optical aids such as magnifiers, telescopes and strong glasses and also newer electronic cameras and AI assisted devices that tell the person where they are and what they are looking at. Some new canes have GPS capabilities.

Back to your original question – yes, but also remember the time, expense of training both the person and the dog are huge barriers. Your doctors and your state department of rehabilitation would be able to provide more information as to value a guide dog would be in your particular situation. Take care and good luck.