What Does 20/20 Mean?

Many of our patients ask what exactly does 20/20 vision mean.  And it’s a really good question that often gets wrong answers.  The first number indicates the standard in feet how far away the object in question is.  The second number tells us how many feet away the object is when a normal eye can see it.  I know, confusing, right?  Hopefully the following example will clear things up for you.  If you are seeing 20/60, that means you can see an object (or letter on an eye chart) at twenty feet but an eye that is considered “normal” can see it sixty feet away.  So, the higher the second number, the worse your vision is. 

If you or your child has had an eye test done and were 20/20, does that mean you have perfect vision?  Not necessarily. It only indicates the sharpness of vision at a distance -not close up.  Nor does it indicate other important aspects such as peripheral vision, colored vision, depth perception or testing for glaucoma.   A person can still have an eye disorder and see 20/20 and that is why the doctors at Carolina Ophthalmology Associates recommend that you have a yearly comprehensive eye exam.  Call to schedule an appointment at 967-4836 or click here to schedule an appointment on line.