What is 20/20 Vision?

Only 35% of people naturally have 20/20 vision. But, what does 20/20 vision mean? And, why is it so desirable? This 2020, we’re breaking down everything you need to know!

If you’ve been to doctors’ offices or to our Better Vision New Jersey facilities, you’ve likely noticed a Snellen chart. These charts have around 11 lines of capital letters—each line becoming smaller than the line on top. They were designed in the 1800s to help measure a patient’s visual acuity—or the sharpness and clarity of vision.

So, what does 20/20 vision mean?

Using a Snellen chart, we measure a patient’s acuity at a distance of 20 feet—the first number in 20/20. The second number refers to how well a patient sees in comparison to someone with normal vision. 

This means that if you have 20/20 vision, you can see details 20 feet away from you that someone with normal vision could also see at a distance of 20 feet. 

As the second number increases, visual acuity decreases. So, a person with 20/100 vision would see details at 20 feet away that a person with normal vision could see at 100 feet. For reference, you must have at least 20/50 vision or better in one eye (with or without correction) to drive in New Jersey.

Importantly, having 20/20 vision doesn’t mean that you have perfect vision. While many people with 20/20 vision see very well, it is possible to have issues with color vision, close-up vision, or peripheral vision despite having very clear acuity.

Can I get 20/20 vision?

Don’t panic if you don’t naturally have 20/20 vision! Glasses, contacts, LASIK, or other laser corrective surgeries such as PRK, and premium intraocular lenses have made acquiring clearer vision a reality for millions of Americans. In fact, up to 75% of people have 20/20 vision or better thanks to refractive error correction.

And, for some, it is even possible to achieve 20/15 or 20/10 vision with glasses, LASIK, or other forms of vision improvement. As long as you visit your eye care professional for regular visits, you can keep your vision healthy and clear.

Ready to schedule an appointment?

If you are ready to improve your vision, call us today! Whether you are looking for a new pair of glasses or interested in undergoing LASIK, Better Vision New Jersey is ready for all of your vision needs.