What Does 20/20 Vision Actually Mean?

While many people understand 20/20 vision is good, do you know what 20/20 vision truly means? Michigan Eyecare Institute in Dearborn, Livonia, and Southfield, MI, is here to explain what 20/20 vision means to help you better understand how your eyes function.

What Is 20/20 Vision?

20/20 vision refers to a specific measurement of visual acuity, otherwise known as the sharpness of your central vision. 20/20 vision means you can see clearly at 20 feet what a person with average vision should be able to see at that distance. Our eye doctors will use an eye chart test to examine your visual acuity during an eye exam. You stand 20 feet away and read the letters aloud on the eye chart. Based on your results, our eye doctors will determine if you have 20/20, better, or worse vision. Some people have 20/15 vision, while others may have 20/40 vision.

20/20 Does Not Mean Everything Is Perfect

While it is good to have 20/20 vision, that does not indicate anything about your peripheral vision, eye coordination, or depth perception. Colorblindness is another vision issue that 20/20 vision does not take into account. Other eye health indicators can be more critical for some individuals. Regular eye exams and vision testing are the best way to determine how healthy your eyes and vision are.

Some people can have 20/20 vision but experience refractive vision errors, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. Our ophthalmologists may recommend prescription lenses, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses, to improve the visual clarity of people suffering from refractive errors. Our eye surgeons can also perform LASIK surgery to correct vision errors based on your visual needs and preferences.

Achieve Clearer Vision by Visiting Michigan Eyecare Institute

If you are concerned about the clarity of your vision and want to schedule an eye exam with an “optometrist near you,” contact the Michigan Eyecare Institute in Southfield, Livonia, and Dearborn, MI. We can evaluate your eye and vision health and recommend treatment to help you achieve visual clarity, so call us and schedule an appointment today at our offices in Southfield at (248) 352-2806, Livonia at (734) 464-7800, or Dearborn at (313) 582-7440.