'vision-impairing' is a compound formed from 'vision' + 'impairing'. 'Vision' originates from Latin 'visionem' (seeing) via Old French 'vision' and Middle English 'vision'; 'impair' originates from Old French 'empeirier' (to make worse), ultimately from Latin roots related to 'peior' meaning 'worse'.

'vision' came into English from Old French 'vision' (from Latin 'visionem') and kept the sense of 'the act or power of seeing'. 'Impair' entered English from Old French 'empeirier' (Middle English forms included 'empairen'/'impairen'), developing into modern English 'impair'; the present participle form produced 'impairing'. The compound 'vision-impairing' is a modern English formation combining these two elements.

Individually, 'vision' denoted sight and 'impair' meant 'make worse'; combined as 'vision-impairing', the phrase specifically means 'causing damage or reduction to sight'.