20/20 Vision

20/20 doesn’t mean perfect

What does it mean when your optometrist tells you that your vision is 20/20 (or maybe 20/40, 20/60, etc.)?

Those numbers are a measure of the clarity or sharpness of your vision at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what a person with normal vision would also see at that distance.

If you have 20/30 vision, you aren’t seeing as well--you need to stand 20 feet away from an object to see it clearly, but a person with normal vision could see it clearly from 30 feet away. If, on the other hand, you have 20/10 vision, you have sharp eyes! You can see clearly at 20 feet what most people would need to be as close as 10 feet to see.

Our doctors use an eye chart to test your visual clarity. Remember, though, being able to see 20/20 is just one part of your overall vision. We will also measure your ability to see things out of the side of your eyes (peripheral vision), your ability to perceive depth, how well your eyes coordinate and how well they focus.

Many vision problems, like seeing less than 20/20, can be corrected through the use of eyeglasses, contact lenses or surgery. We will be able to suggest ways to improve your vision after completing a comprehensive eye examination.

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