Throughout our lives, we’ve all heard the term “20/20 vision” used in various contexts. We generally know that it means someone can see objects very clearly from 20 feet away, and might not need to wear glasses or contact lenses.
In comparison, if you have 20/30 vision, it means your vision is worse than average. Twenty feet away, you can read letters most people see from 30 feet.
A person could also go the other way, and have 20/15 vision, which is sharper than average. If you have 20/15 vision, you can see objects at 20 feet that the average person can only see when they are 15 feet away.
Fun fact: In most states, you need 20/40 vision or better for an unrestricted driver’s license. People are “legally blind” if their vision with glasses or contacts is 20/200 or worse.
However, a measurement of 20/20 or otherwise actually refers to visual acuity, which describes a person’s ability to see shapes and details. It is not the full measure of vision but rather a factor that is taken into consideration when evaluating a person’s ability to see.
So what does it actually mean to have 20/20 vision?
Does it mean you have perfect eye health? Measurements of eyesight do not determine how healthy your eyes are. Therefore, even if you do have 20/20 vision, you could still have unhealthy eyes. For example, you could still develop glaucoma, which is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. This is because vision loss caused by glaucoma affects peripheral vision, which is a different type of vision measurement.
There are several factors taken into account when your vision is measured by your optometrist. These factors include the ability to see color, depth, perception, and your peripheral vision. This is why comprehensive eye exams are very important, as your eye health goes beyond the 20/20 vision test.
Overall, having 20/20 vision is a good thing when it comes to seeing objects at a certain distance, but it doesn’t mean you have perfect vision and don’t have an eye condition.
Not having 20/20 vision is often not something to worry about, either, because it just means you can’t see as well as others from 20 feet away, or that you might have nearsightedness, both of which can be easily corrected with prescription lenses.
The goal of glasses or contacts is to bring a person’s vision to 20/20.
Make sure you get thorough eye exams every year to stay on top of your eye health and vision!
Contact the Optical Shop at Westport at (203) 222-7870 or OpticalShopofWestport@gmail.com to learn more about proper eye care or to make an appointment.