What is Perfect Vision?

You may often hear that 20/20 vision is “perfect vision”, but how perfect is it really? The expression “20/20 vision” is actually a measurement. It means that you can see an object clearly from a distance of 20 feet, which is the normal baseline for good vision. However, when your vision is blurry or you have certain eye conditions, you may have vision such as 20/40 or 20/100. Find out what the changes in that “perfect vision” number indicates and how to get your vision back to the normal range!

Vision Type: What the Numbers Mean

Throughout your life, you will meet and interact with people with “perfect” vision. What does this mean? More accurately, you will hear the expression 20/20 vision. What are the numbers and what do they stand for? Read on to learn.

• 20/20 – According to the American Optometric Association, this is normal visual acuity (clarity and sharpness) at a distance of 20 feet. That means you can see clearly 20 feet away from an object.
• 20/100 – This is just an example, but those who have a vision type that is 20/100 would have to be 20 feet away from an object that most people can see at 100 feet. The same goes for 20/80, 20/60 and so on when it comes to distance.
• 20/10 – When the numbers go down, that indicates that you have better than average eyesight. When using an eye chart, you can see clearly at 20 feet away what a person with “normal” vision can see clearly at 10 feet away.
• 20/200 – This is the level at which you care considered to be legally blind. That means a person with 20/200 vision has to be 20 feet away from an object to see clearly, whereas a person with normal eyesight can see clearly at 200 feet away.

We’d like to make a special note that having 20/20 vision does NOT mean that you have perfect eyesight. It only means that you can see normal sharpness and clarity at a distance. 20/20 is generally the standard baseline with which most people are measured.

What are Common Eye Conditions that Impact Eye Vision?

Responsible eye care requires that you practice early intervention from threats to your eyesight by receiving an annual eye exam. Here are some common eye conditions that can risk your healthy eyesight that we can diagnose during an exam:

• Glaucoma – Condition where the optic nerve of the eye is affected. The optic nerve carries images from the retina to the brain. Glaucoma often has no noticeable symptoms and is not painful. You will gradually lose your peripheral vision though, and that loss will continue. With frequent eye exams, we can detect glaucoma and greatly slow down the progress of the disease.
• Nearsightedness – This is also known as myopia. A person can see objects clearly when they are close to them, but objects at a distance will appear blurred. Nearsightedness affects about 30% of the population and is easily treated with contacts or glasses.
• Farsightedness – This is also known as hyperopia and is opposite to nearsightedness. A person can see objects clearly that are far away, but objects close to them are blurry. This is also easily treatable just like myopia.
• Astigmatism – The surface of the cornea or lens is not spherical, causing your eyes to focus at two separate points instead of one. This can cause eye strain, discomfort, headaches, blurred/distorted eyesight, night vision problems and more. We can easily treat astigmatism with proper contacts or eyewear.
• Presbyopia – Condition in which the lens of your eye changes and is less flexible,  making it difficult to focus on objects that are near. This can occur around age 40 and later. There are many visual changes between ages 40-60, but after age 60 they become more severe.
• Macular Degeneration – This is a deterioration of the center part of your retina, or the area in the back of the eye that receives the images and sends information to the brain. A person will start to see a gray/black dot in the center of their eyesight which will gradually grow larger. This condition is the leading cause of vision loss and is incurable, however the effects can be slowed with treatment.
• Cataracts – The clouding of the lens in your eye that can affect only one eye or both eyes. The lens sits behind the colored part of your eye (the iris) and will cloud over, causing light to scatter and blur. You may also see double vision with objects. This condition generally is caused by age or injury but sometimes can be caused by genetics, past eye conditions, surgeries, chronic illnesses and medications.

How You Benefit from a Comprehensive Exams

There are over 100 tests that assess your eye health. We test for eye coordination, depth perception, color blindness, peripheral vision or awareness, focusing ability and more. With conditions such as glaucoma, a comprehensive exam can literally save your vision. Comprehensive exams can discover subtle changes in eyesight that you may not even be aware of.

Comprehensive eye exams, measure visual acuity, typically with an eye chart where you are asked to identify specific letters and numbers. A special machine can also determine if muscles and tissues inside your eye are functioning properly. The AOA recommends that you receive an eye exam at least every two years, if not more often.

Call for an Eye Exam Today

At Peepers Optical, our Denver, Co,  team of eye doctors and certified opticians are highly trained in performing a range of eye tests and exams. In addition to basic vision screening, we conduct eye health evaluations, prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, and check for any signs of ocular disease. Call 303-333-2800 to schedule an appointment for better vision!