Happy New Year! What better way to start 2020 than with 20/20 vision?! You may wonder, “what exactly does 20/20 vision mean?”
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “a person with 20/20 vision can see what an average individual can see on an eye chart when they are standing 20 feet away.” An eye chart is used to measure visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision). When an ophthalmologist measures a patient’s vision, he/she is testing how well the patient’s eyes can see an object or set of letters from 20 feet away. If the patient can see the letters clearly, he/she is considered to have “normal vision,” often referred to as 20/20 vision.
When some people hear that they have 20/20 vision, they may proudly brag that they have “perfect vision.” But unfortunately, that is not always the case. 20/20 vision only refers to the sharpness or clarity of vision when you are looking at objects from a distance. Peripheral awareness (or side vision), coordination of your eyes, depth perception, your eyes ability to focus and color vision are equally important vision skills that should not be forgotten about. It is important to get your vision tested and eyes examined as a child and as an adult.
How is 20/20 Vision Tested?
If you’ve ever gotten an eye exam, it’s probably been done using a large white chart with nine repeated letters (C, D, E, F, L, O, P, T, and Z) printed in various patterns across eleven rows, descending in size. This is called the Snellen Eye Chart and was created by Dr. Herman Snellen way back in 1862. It is the most commonly used eye chart to test visual acuity among all eye specialists. The top number refers to the number of feet you are standing away from the chart and the bottom number indicates the distance a person with normal eyesight could read the same line you read.
How Can Manning, Rommel & Thode Associates Help?
Here at Manning, Rommel & Thode Associates, we offer personalized care and attention to all of our existing and new patients. Our highly trained team of eye specialists are able to perform a variety of corrective eye procedures, including cataract surgery, medical laser surgery and laser vision correction. To ensure your eye health, it is important to maintain yearly eye exams. Annual exams help our doctors detect any changes in vision or eye health that indicate a need for treatment. Early intervention is crucial to protecting and maintaining your best vision.
Contact Manning, Rommel & Thode Associates today at (717) 393-7980 to schedule your appointment to help you ensure 20/20 vision in year 2020!