You’ve probably heard the phrase “20/20 vision” your entire life. Maybe you’ve even been told you have 20/20 vision during an eye exam. But what does it actually mean?
Surprisingly, 20/20 vision doesn’t mean your eyes are perfect. It simply describes how clearly you can see at a specific distance compared with what is considered average vision.
What Does the “20/20” Mean?
The first number refers to the testing distance: 20 feet.
The second number represents the distance at which a person with typical visual acuity can see the same line on an eye chart.
So, if you have 20/20 vision, it means you can see at 20 feet what a person with standard visual acuity can see at 20 feet.
For example, someone with 20/40 vision needs to be 20 feet away to see what a person with 20/20 vision can see from 40 feet away.
Is 20/20 Vision Perfect Vision?
Not necessarily!
Visual acuity is only one part of your overall eye health. You can have 20/20 vision and still have an eye condition that needs attention.
A comprehensive eye exam can evaluate much more than how clearly you can read an eye chart, including:
- Eye health and the structures inside your eyes
- Peripheral vision
- Depth perception
- Eye coordination and focusing
- Color vision
- Eye pressure
- How your eyes work together
- Signs of diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration
This is why an eye exam is about much more than determining whether you need glasses or contacts.
Can You Have Better Than 20/20 Vision?
Yes!
Some people have visual acuity better than 20/20. For example, 20/15 vision means you can see at 20 feet what someone with 20/20 vision would need to be 15 feet away to see.
Having better-than-20/20 visual acuity doesn’t necessarily mean your eyes are healthier than someone with 20/20 vision. It simply means you have sharper visual acuity under that particular testing condition.
What If I Have 20/20 Vision but My Eyes Don’t Feel Right?
This is an important one.
You can have 20/20 vision and still experience symptoms such as:
- Blurry vision that comes and goes
- Headaches
- Eye fatigue
- Burning or irritated eyes
- Dryness
- Difficulty focusing
- Trouble seeing at night
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye strain after using a computer or phone
These symptoms can have several possible causes, including dry eye, focusing problems, eye coordination issues, or other conditions that aren’t measured simply by reading an eye chart.
The Bottom Line
20/20 vision is great—but it’s not the whole story.
Your eyes do much more than help you read an eye chart. Regular comprehensive eye exams allow your optometrist to evaluate both how well you see and how healthy your eyes are.
So even if you can see the 20/20 line perfectly, don’t skip your regular eye exam. Your eyes deserve more than just a number!
Have questions about your vision or when you should schedule your next eye exam? We’re here to help. Contact Visionary Eyecare to schedule your comprehensive eye exam.
Clear vision is just one part of healthy eyes.