Nothing is impossible when you have the right attitude and determination.

With the right frame of mind, anything is possible, and you can find a rewarding and successful career in virtually any field of your choosing.

This includes nursing!

Can You Become a Nurse with One Eye?

Yes, you can. Even if you have a physical impairment, such as a vision disorder that leaves you with the use of only one eye, you can still successfully treat patients. As long as you can safely provide care to patients, there’s no reason your vision loss should impede your nursing career.

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What Causes Vision Loss in One Eye?

what causes vision loss in one eye
Listed are the common causes of vision loss.

If you’ve been in an accident and suffered an eye injury, this can possibly lead to you losing one of your eyes. Other common causes of vision loss in one eye include:

  • Glaucoma
  • Retinal occlusion
  • Retinal detachment
  • Head injuries
  • Optic nerve inflammation
  • Genetic defects

As a nurse, this means you might have already been born with vision loss, or you might have been working as a nurse and developed it later on. 

In either case, vision loss in one eye should not be detrimental to your career. However, it will take some special consideration and maneuvering so you can adequately function as a nurse.

Possible Limitations to Nursing

a nurse with one eye lifting patient into his bed

If you have a vision disorder, it’s important to be realistic about what you can and cannot do, as well as the types of nursing jobs you’ll be able to do.

For instance, when working as a nurse, moving and lifting patients is a big part of the job. If you’re a nurse with a vision impairment, chances are your hospital will not allow you to move patients due to this being a safety issue.

However, you can still participate in other parts of your job, such as direct patient care and even administering medications.

If you cannot see clearly out of one way, you must find the proper tool to help you see clearly. If you’re able to correct your vision enough to provide care to your patients, there’s no reason you cannot work on the floor of your hospital.

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Search our school database to find schools and get information on the right programs for you. (Don’t worry, it’s fast and free!)

Can I Be Fired for Being Blind in One Eye?

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits an employer from firing you due to a medical or mental disability, including impaired vision in one eye.

However, your hospital can change your job duties to protect you and keep its patients safe as well.

Keep this in mind when applying for jobs. Be honest about your ability to see and provide care to patients.

Overall speak up and be honest about what your limitations are. If you need special accommodation, your hospital will try to reasonably accommodate your disabilities.

Making the Impossible Possible

If you don’t think it’s possible to work with one eye, consider the story of Dr. David Hartman, who was blind but was able to become a medical provider and help his patients through psychiatry!

You too can find the strength to overcome your visual impairment. Check out our job board or nursing school website for opportunities!

Find Nursing Programs
Search our school database to find schools and get information on the right programs for you. (Don’t worry, it’s fast and free!)

Have You Read These Yet?

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions related to becoming a nurse when you only have one eye.

Yes, you can become a nurse even if you have visual challenges. There are job opportunities available for nurses with vision problems or other disorders of the eye.

No, you do not need good vision to become a nurse. Even if you’re a person that has to wear glasses nursing is still a great field to be in.

There are plenty of jobs out there for people who have just one eye.

If your dream job is to be a nurse, being visually impaired will not keep you from being successfully employed in healthcare.

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