September 21, 2026
A work-related eye injury can result in specific loss benefits under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. However, an injured employee does not necessarily have to be completely blind in an eye to receive benefits. The key question is whether the employee has lost the use of the injured eye for all practical intents and purposes.
For employers, insurers, and claims professionals, determining whether an eye injury meets this standard often depends heavily on the medical evidence and the extent to which the injured eye continues to contribute to the employee’s overall vision.
What Benefits Are Available for the Loss of an Eye in Pennsylvania?
Section 306(c)(7) of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act provides specific loss benefits for the loss of an eye. Under 77 P.S. § 513(7), an employee who establishes a compensable loss of an eye may receive 66⅔% of wages for 275 weeks, subject to the applicable statutory limits.
The Act also provides that, unless otherwise determined by the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, the loss of both eyes constitutes total disability under Section 306(c)(23) and are generally entitled to:
- Ongoing permanent compensation payments for wage loss at an amount based on their pre-injury average weekly wage, subject to a statutory maximum.
- Medical benefits covering necessary treatment related to the work injury.
- In some cases, eligibility for specific loss benefits as outlined in the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act.
An employee alleging a work-related loss of vision must prove by unequivocal medical evidence that the loss of vision is directly related to a workplace accident or injury.
Does an Employee Have to Be Completely Blind to Receive Specific Loss Benefits?
No. Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law does not require an injured eye to be completely destroyed or entirely without vision.
The applicable standard is whether the injured eye has been lost “for all practical intents and purposes.”
In Hershey Estates v. Workmen’s Compensation Appeal Board, 9 Pa. Commw. 470 (1973), the Commonwealth Court explained that the question is not simply whether the claimant retains some vision in the injured eye. Instead, the analysis focuses on whether the injured eye continues to contribute materially to the claimant’s vision when both eyes are used together.
Generally, if a claimant can see better using both eyes than when using the uninjured eye alone, the injured eye may still be contributing materially to overall vision. If it does not materially contribute, the claimant may be able to establish a compensable specific loss.
Does It Matter If Vision Can Be Corrected with Glasses or Contact Lenses?
Whether an employee’s vision loss can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses is immaterial to the determination of whether the employee has sustained a compensable specific loss.
The central issue remains the functional use of the injured eye and whether it contributes materially to the employee’s overall vision. As a result, the medical evaluation should address more than the employee’s visual acuity with corrective lenses.
Why Is Medical Evidence Critical in Vision Loss Claims?
Medical evidence is critical to establishing that the employee has lost the use of the injured eye for all practical intents and purposes. Simply demonstrating some degree of impaired vision may not be enough. The evidence must support the conclusion that the employee has lost the use of the eye for all practical intents and purposes.
For employers and insurers evaluating these claims, a careful review of the medical evidence is therefore essential.
Key Takeaway for Pennsylvania Employers and Insurers
A workplace eye injury does not automatically result in specific loss benefits. Likewise, an employee does not need to establish complete blindness to qualify.
The central question is whether the injured eye has been lost for all practical intents and purposes. If the injured eye continues to contribute materially to the employee’s overall vision, an award of specific loss benefits may not be appropriate.
Because these cases frequently turn on detailed medical evidence concerning the employee’s functional vision, employers and insurers should carefully evaluate the medical basis for any claimed loss of use.
If you have questions about Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claims involving loss of vision or other workers’ compensation matters, please contact Bret R. Goldstein, Chair of RRD’s Workers’ Compensation Practice Group, at bgoldstein@regerlaw.com or 215-495-6528.