What is 20/20 Vision?

Posted by: Mann Eye in Eye Health, LASIK

Visual Acuity Explained

Everyone knows 20/20 vision is the standard but what does it actually mean? Is it like getting 20 out of 20 questions right on a test? Is one number a score for one eye and the other number a score for the other eye?

Actually, 20/20 means something a little different than either of those. 20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet.

Visual acuity sounds complicated but really it is just a term used to describe the sharpness of your vision. It’s measured by your ability to identify numbers or letters on a standardized Snellen eye chart from a distance of (you guessed it) 20 feet.

Think of it this way:

If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. But if you have 20/100 vision, it means that at 20 feet you see what a person with average vision can see at 100 feet.

Is 20/20 Perfect Vision?

Not exactly. Sorry. Having 20/20 vision doesn’t actually mean you have perfect vision. 20/20 vision only indicates the sharpness or clarity of vision at a distance. Other important vision-related skills, including peripheral awareness or side vision, eye coordination (how well they work together), depth perception, focusing ability and color vision, all contribute to your overall visual ability.

Some people can see well at a distance but are unable to bring nearer objects into focus. This is called hyperopia (farsightedness). Then we have presbyopia (over-40 vision), where people have trouble focusing up close at reading distance. Others can see items that are close but cannot see those far away. This condition is called myopia (nearsightedness).

If you have less than normal visual acuity, there’s no shame in that game. Truly. You’re in good company. According to a University of Iowa Hospital research study, only about 35 percent of all adults have 20/20 vision without glasses, contacts or corrective surgery.

Great news. The vision experts at Mann Eye Institute can help you with all these vision conditions and more.

LASIK Can Help You Achieve 20/20 or Better

LASIK is the most popular elective surgery in the U.S., correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. If you are over age 18, wearing glasses and/or contacts and you experience one or two of these super common vision issues, then LASIK may be the right choice for you.

LASIK permanently alters the shape of the cornea to treat refractive errors and improving vision to 20/20 or better in most cases. At Mann Eye Institute, the majority of our patients have overwhelmingly positive outcomes and experience life-long results.

LASIK is safe, effective and fast, completed within 10-15 minutes for both eyes. It involves sophisticated laser technology in which the surgeon uses advanced technology to adjust the laser for your prescription needs. At Mann Eye, we do not use blades. Our brand of LASIK is all laser, all the time.

At Mann Eye Institute, we are proud to be at the forefront of research and development for all kinds of vision correction surgeries. Schedule your free LASIK consultation to discuss your best solution to See Life Better.