Home »
Shanks Family Eye Care
Visual Acuity (vizh-oo-uhl uh-kyoo-i-tee)
What is Visual Acuity?
- Visual acuity is a term used to describe the clarity/sharpness of vision
- An common example is “20/20 Vision”
- Visual acuity is measured at a distance of 20 feet
- Stating that you have 20/20 vision means that you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at 20 feet
- Stating that you have 20/50 vision means that you can see clearly at 20 feet what a normal vision could see at 50 feet
Is 20/20 Vision “Perfect” Vision?
- The number assigned to visual acuity measurements is only one part of vision
- Other aspects of vision that should be considered are peripheral vision, eye coordination, depth perception, color vision and focusing ability
- A person with 20/20 vision may have a problem in one or more of these other areas and have visual complaints