What is Classification

Underlying Health Condition Assessment. Diagnostic Information.

To start the Classification process, the Athlete must provide their National Federation with all relevant Diagnostic Information needed by FIAS to confirm the presence of an Underlying Health Condition (UHC) and an Eligible Impairment.

The presence of an Underlying Health Condition (UHC) is determined at Stage 1 solely on the basis of the Diagnostic Information provided by the Athlete’s National Federation. This includes the completed Medical Diagnostic Form (MDF), together with all supporting medical reports and diagnostic test results.

Medical Diagnostic Form (MDF)

The UHC must be a diagnosed, permanent health condition that affects the structure or function of the eye, optic nerve, optic chiasm, post-chiasmal visual pathways, or visual cortex of the brain.

The MDF must be accompanied by objective diagnostic test results confirming the reported UHC and the corresponding impairment of the visual system, as well as an ophthalmological Medical report.

The Medical Diagnostic Form (MDF) includes an instruction table showing which areas of the eye or visual system may be affected and which medical examinations or documents are appropriate for objectively confirming the corresponding pathology, depending on the clinical condition and specific medical circumstances.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is the primary objective method for assessing the structures of the posterior segment of the eye, including the retina and optic nerve. If OCT cannot be performed or the image quality is insufficient for diagnostic purposes, the specific medical reason for the limitation must be stated. Such reasons may include significant opacity of the optical media or inability to maintain stable fixation.

In such cases, other available objective diagnostic evidence confirming the presence of the impairment must also be provided, or results of other objective examinations.

Visual acuity and visual field measurements are also recorded in the Medical Diagnostic Form (MDF). At this stage of the Classification process, these measures are considered quantitative characteristics of the visual impairment. They help assess the severity of the impairment and must be consistent with the medical evidence provided and the identified structural changes.

Visual impairment caused solely by refractive errors is not taken into consideration when making the expert decision.

Based on the information provided, the UHC Assessor determines whether the Athlete has the UHC stated in the MDF and whether the available medical information and diagnostic results are sufficient to confirm its presence.

If the information provided is insufficient or outdated, the UHC Assessor may request additional information from the Athlete’s National Federation.

An Athlete determined by the UHC Assessor as “Not Eligible – Underlying Health Condition (Re-evaluation)” or “Not Eligible – Underlying Health Condition”:

is not eligible to participate in official SAMBO competitions; and

must disclose this designation when undergoing further Classification or Classification in another sport.

This designation is recorded in the official World SAMBO Blind and Visual Impaired International Classification Master List.

This designation may be automatically recognized by other International Federations in their respective sports, at their discretion.

Important! If an Athlete is found not eligible, this does not question or determine the presence of a disability, but is a ruling on the eligibility of the Athlete to compete in SAMBO.

Eligible Impairment Assessment.

The Assessment of Eligible Impairment is conducted to verify that the Athlete has an Eligible Impairment that is consistent with one or more Underlying Health Conditions reported during the first stage of Classification, and that there are no inconsistencies with the reported Underlying Health Condition(s).

The Assessment of Eligible Impairment is always conducted in person.

Objectively identifiable changes in the structures of the eye and visual system that have resulted in impaired visual function are assessed.

Autorefraction is performed to assess the effect of refractive error on visual acuity. Refractive errors alone are not considered a basis for Classification.

The assessment is performed using mandatory basic diagnostic equipment, including a biomicroscope, diagnostic lenses, a trial lens set and trial frame, an autorefractor, an ophthalmoscope, and a lensmeter (focimeter).

The Classification Panel may use eye drops to dilate the pupils during the assessment, if necessary.

If necessary, the Classification Panel may additionally use OCT, B-scan ultrasonography, and other available assessment methods. These examinations are performed to obtain a complete and objective picture of the Athlete’s visual system.

In some cases, the physician may need to perform additional or different scans or examinations to assess specific eye structures more accurately or to clarify the results obtained. This is a normal part of ophthalmological assessment and allows the Classification Panel to conduct a complete and accurate assessment.

The results may also be needed to determine whether the Athlete will require an assessment in the future and, if so, when it may be required.

If the Classification Panel determines that the Athlete has an Eligible Impairment consistent with one or more Underlying Health Conditions reported during the first stage of Classification, and identifies no inconsistencies with the reported Underlying Health Condition(s), the Athlete proceeds to the third stage of Classification.

The fourth stage of Classification, the Sport Class Assessment, is conducted together with the third stage, the assessment of compliance with the Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC).

This is because both the MIC assessment and the determination of the Sport Class are based on the Athlete’s visual acuity and visual field results.

The Classification Panel obtains these results during the MIC assessment.

At the third stage of Classification, it is assessed whether the Athlete’s visual impairment meets the Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC) established by the Classification Rules.

The Minimum Impairment Criteria include visual acuity and visual field, assessed with the best possible optical correction in the better-seeing eye.

Visual acuity is assessed by the Athlete’s ability to identify the direction of the open side of the “E” (tumbling E) optotypes from the standardized Berkeley set.

Only the following optotypes are used: E 25M, E 40M, E 63M, and E 100M. Other types of optotypes, including letters, numbers, or symbols, as well as chart-based or projection tests, are not used.

The testing distance is adjusted by moving the optotype along a marked guide. Each mark on the guide corresponds to a specific distance between the plane of the optotype and the Athlete’s eye. The minimum testing distance is 0.25 m.

Visual field assessment is performed using validated perimetric systems: Goldmann Visual Field Perimeter (stimulus III/4e), Humphrey Field Analyzer (FF120 pattern, stimulus III/4e, 10 dB), Octopus Interzeag (G 07 pattern, stimulus III/4e, 10 dB), or equivalent systems.

The assessment is performed separately for each eye, with the Athlete’s head positioned to provide the best visual perception.