Vision Basics: What Is 20/20? How Can You Correct Bad Vision?

What Is 20/20 Vision?

Visual acuity is measured using a standard eye chart, which consists of rows of letters that decrease in size as you move down the chart. The top line of the chart is labeled "20 feet," which means that someone with 20/20 vision can read letters on that line from a distance of 20 feet. The next line is labeled "20/25," which means that someone with 20/25 vision can read letters on that line from a distance of 20 feet, but not from a distance of 25 feet.

* Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is when you can see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects look blurry or distorted.

* Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, is when you can see distant objects clearly, but nearby objects look blurry or distorted.

* Astigmatism is a condition in which the cornea or lens of the eye is not perfectly round which causes blurry or distorted vision at all distances.

How Can You Correct Bad Vision?

There are a number of different ways to correct bad vision, including:

* Eyeglasses are a simple and effective way to correct vision problems by focusing light on the retina

* Contact lenses are thin, flexible discs that are placed directly on the eye to correct vision problems.

* Refractive surgery is an elective surgery that can permanently change the shape of the cornea. LASIK and PRK are two types of refractive surgery.

The best way to correct bad vision is to see an eye doctor for an evaluation. They can determine the cause of your vision problems and recommend the best treatment option for you.