Ask The Optician...All about '20/20 Vision'

What does "20/20 vision" mean?

The term "20/20 vision" expresses the sharpness and clarity of what you see when you're 20 feet away from an object.

Does 20/20 vision mean "perfect vision"?

20/20 does not necessarily mean perfect vision. It means you can see objects clearly at a distance of 20 feet.

Can my vision be better than 20/20?

You can have vision that is better than the norm. A person with 20/10 vision can see at 20 feet what a person with "normal vision" can see when standing significantly closer, 10 feet away from the chart.

Is everyone's vision with glasses 20/20?

No. It is not always possible to obtain 20/20 vision even with an up to date prescription filled pair of eyeglasses.

What is considered "legally blind"?

In the United States you are considered "legally blind" if your best distance vision with eyeglasses or contact lenses is 20/200 or worse. 20/200 would mean that you could only see what a "normal visioned" person would see if they were standing way back at 200 feet away.

What does my vision have to be to allowed to drive a car?

To get a driver's license in most of the United States, your best "corrected" vision  must be at least 20/40.

Does a baby have 20/20 vision?

As newborn babies, our vision measures worse than 20/400!  Our eyesight does not fully develop, and we can not attain 20/20 vision until approximately 4 years of age.

Do animals see better than 20/20?

A hawk's vision is eight times more acute than a human's. So a hawk has 20/2 vision! Your dog most likely has about 20/75 vision. Your kitty sees significantly less clearly at about 20/150. Horses measure relatively close to us with their 20/35 vision.

Hopefully I've given you a better understanding of what the term "20/20 vision" means, as well as some fun facts to share at your next gathering with friends!