What Does 20/20 Vision Mean?

While most people have heard about 20/20 vision and recognize it as a positive thing, do you know what 20/20 vision actually represents? Pearland Eye Care in Houston, TX, is here to answer this question and why 20/20 vision does not tell the whole picture of your eye health.

Understanding 20/20 Vision

20/20 vision measures the sharpness and clarity of your vision, otherwise known as visual acuity. Your general optometrist tests your visual acuity during an eye exam by having you read letters or symbols on an eye chart at specific distances. Standard distance vision is 20/20, meaning you should be able to read the chart clearly without straining when standing 20 feet away.

However, 20/20 vision only tells part of the story. You can still experience deficiencies in other aspects of your vision, such as color vision, depth perception, or peripheral vision, that impact your overall eyesight. While 20/20 vision means good visual acuity, it does not necessarily mean you have good overall vision.

Better or Worse Than 20/20

While many people know 20/20 vision indicates healthy visual acuity, did you know you can have better than 20/20 vision? Some people may have 20/15 or even 20/10 vision. For example, someone with 20/15 vision can see at 20 feet what the average person can see at 15 feet. On the other hand, you can also have poorer than 20/20 vision. 20/40 vision indicates you need to be 20 feet away to see what the average person can see at 40 feet.

Why Regular Eye Exams Are Important

Even if you have 20/20 vision, eye exams from your general optometrist are still vital for your eye and vision health. As previously stated, 20/20 vision does not necessarily indicate healthy overall vision. You may have difficulties seeing different colors or have peripheral vision and depth perception issues while having 20/20 vision. Your optometrist can comprehensively examine your eyes and detect problems that need addressing with prescription lenses or other treatments. These can include nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and age-related vision changes.

Schedule an Eye Exam With Your Optometrist at Pearland Eye Care Today

Whether you need an eye exam to determine your overall eye health or require treatment for eye diseases, Pearland Eye Care in Houston, TX, can help. Our optometrist will evaluate your eyes and provide appropriate treatment to help you see clearly and comfortably again. Call us and schedule an appointment today at (713) 991-4100 to protect your eye and vision health.