Focus Points: What Does 20/20 Really Mean?

Angelina Triscari
Jun 16
2 min read

Updated: Jun 17

By: Angelina Triscari | Lehigh Valley Center for Sight, Marketing & Media

We’ve all heard the phrase “20/20 vision,” but few of us know what it actually measures. Let’s break it down together.

So, what is 20/20 vision?

When someone says they have 20/20 vision, they are actually talking about visual acuity (VA), the ability of the eye to distinguish shapes and the details of objects at a given distance. But here’s the catch: it’s not “perfect” vision, just standard.

20/20 means… You can see what a person with “normal” vision should be able to see at 20 feet.

If you have 20/40 vision, it means that you must be 20 feet away to see what a person with normal vision could see from 40 feet away.

Did you know?

Some people do have "perfect" eyesight!
Vision can sometimes be measured at 20/15 or even 20/10—meaning you can see finer detail than average.
VA doesn't measure everything.
Visual acuity is only one part of your total vision health. It doesn’t check peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision, or how well your eyes work together. That's why a full eye exam is so important.

Why it Matters

As we age, it's normal for our vision to change. Conditions like presbyopia (age-related farsightedness), cataracts, or macular degeneration can affect the clarity of your vision, even if your prescription hasn't changed.

That’s why regular checkups are so important: they help catch changes early, explore your treatment options, and protect the vision you rely on every day.

What You Can Do Now

Schedule your eye exam if it's been over a year.
Mention changes in glare, blurriness, or irregular difficulty reading small print.
Ask about vision aids and treatments.

The Lehigh Valley Center for Sight Can Help You Maintain Your Sight

If you would like to schedule an eye exam or have questions/concerns about your visual acuity, call us at 610-437-4988 or use the contact form on our website. We can answer your questions and schedule an eye exam so you can take steps to maintain your sight.