Many myths exist about 20/20 vision, leading some patients to have misconceptions about the health of their eyes. Here, we’ll clear up these myths and provide an accurate definition of the 20/20 vision.
What is 20/20 Vision?
20/20 vision is a measurement of vision acuity at a distance of 20 feet. Acuity is also known as sharpness or clarity of vision.
If a patient has 20/20 vision, it means that what they can clearly see at 20 feet meets the normal standard of what should be seen at that distance. If a patient has 20/30 vision, for example, it means that they need to be at a 20-foot distance to see what should normally be seen at 30 feet.
The most common myths about the 20/20 vision include:
20/20 Vision is Perfect Vision.
Having 20/20 vision simply means that you meet the normal standard for distance vision. The test for 20/20 vision doesn’t evaluate various other measures of vision, including reading distance, peripheral vision, eye focusing, eye movement, eye coordination, color vision, and visual perceptual skills. In reality, “perfect vision” doesn’t exist.
People with 20/20 Vision Don’t Need to Wear Glasses or Contacts.
Since 20/20 vision doesn’t take into account many other aspects of vision, it doesn’t rule out the need for glasses or contacts. Some people with 20/20 vision still require corrective lenses to accommodate other vision problems.
If I Have 20/20 Vision, I Don’t Need to Worry About My Vision Changing.
Unfortunately, 20/20 vision isn’t permanent. Changing vision is a normal part of the aging process. Additionally, people who still have 20/20 vision later in life still need reading glasses to clearly see up close.
For a complete eye exam, schedule an appointment at The Eye Clinic of Florida today!