While it’s likely that you’ve heard of the term “20/20 vision” before, you may not know exactly what that term means. At Optometric Images, we provide quality eye care services for patients across the Dublin and the Tri-Valley area. We’re also here to answer your questions about vision and eye care.
What Does It Mean to Have 20/20 Vision?
When someone has 20/20 vision, it means they can clearly see an object that’s 20 feet away. While people sometimes refer to 20/20 vision as perfect vision, it actually describes normal vision. In fact, someone can have vision that is sharper than 20/20.
The term was coined by a Dutch optometrist named Dr. Herman Snellen. In 1862, Snellen created the Snellen eye chart, which is used in vision exams to this day. The chart features rows of uppercase letters, which get smaller on each line.
If someone has 20/20 vision, it means they are able to read a specific row on the Snellen chart from 20 feet away. When a person is unable to read the chart from 20 feet away, it’s a sign that they need corrective lenses.
Can Someone with 20/20 Vision Still Have Vision Problems?
The Snellen chart only measures how well a person can see from a distance. Even if a person has normal vision, they may still have other types of vision impairments. Potential impairments include issues with depth perception or peripheral vision or color blindness.
For this reason and others, eye doctors screen for a variety of issues during eye exams. In addition to using the Snellen chart to measure a patient’s visual acuity, an optometrist will examine eye tracking and movement and check the health of the eyes. Eye exams are one of the most effective ways to detect eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Schedule an Exam with Our Optometrists in the Dublin and Tri-Valley Area
Even if you have 20/20 vision, it’s important to have your eyes checked regularly. Optometric Images provides a variety of eye care services, including comprehensive eye exams. If you’re due for an exam or would like to have your vision checked, call our team today at (925) 479-0400 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.