When discussing eye health, people often think of 20/20 vision and perfect vision interchangeably — but the two aren’t necessarily synonymous.
We’ll tell you why below and we hope this helps you understand what your vision diagnosis means.
WHAT IS 20/20 VISION?
To understand 20/20 vision, you first have to understand the Snellen visual acuity system. This is the test during an eye exam where the optometrist asks you to read letters from a certain distance. The first number represents how far away you are from the letters you’re reading. In this case, it’s 20 feet. The bottom number represents the clarity of the letters that you’re reading.
While 20/20 represents “ideal”, clear vision, there are a few other results you may want to know. 20/40 is the minimum score required to get a driver’s license, while anyone with 20/200 vision or worse is considered legally blind without correction.
DOES HAVING 20/20 VISION MEAN YOU HAVE PERFECT VISION?
Contrary to popular belief, 20/20 vision is not synonymous with perfect vision. If you have 20/20, you have good visual acuity, but there can still be problems with your eyesight.
For instance, the quality of your vision may vary if you have tear film instability (or dry eye syndrome). Early cataracts can cause nighttime glare issues, and glaucoma can cause a loss of peripheral vision.
YOUR LOCAL EYE DOCTOR IN BALTIMORE
Clarity Eyecare’s Dr. Jenny Chan can give you a thorough eye exam. She will explain the results as well as discuss with you the best next steps (such as glasses and contacts) for ensuring that vision challenges don’t get in the way of daily living. Book an eye exam with us today!
