Is It Possible to See Better Than 20/20?

While many people refer to 20/20 vision as perfect vision, it technically means normal visual acuity rather than perfection, The term 20/20 describes the ability to see clearly at 20 feet what a person with standard vision should see at that distance. It measures sharpness but doesn’t account for other factors like depth perception, color vision, peripheral vision or eye health—all essential components of truly optimal sight.

In fact, some people have even better than 20/20 vision, such as 20/15, meaning they can see objects at 20 feet that the average person could only see clearly from 15 feet away. True “perfect vision” would imply flawless performance in all aspects of sight, which is rare. However, 20/20 vision remains the benchmark for ideal clarity in everyday life. 

To determine if a person has 20/20 vision, eye care professionals use a variety of tests to not only assess clarity but also to identify any refractive errors that may require corrective lenses. Skyline Vision Clinic recommends scheduling a comprehensive eye exam once per year to test visual acuity. For details, contact our office by 719-630-3937 or WEBSITE. 

Getting your vision checked can be surprisingly fascinating—and it’s not just about reading tiny letters on a chart. The Snellen Eye Chart is the classic eye test where you stand 20 feet away and read a row of letters, with the smallest line you can read clearly determining your visual acuity, the sharpness of vision and how well the eyes distinguish fine details at a specific distance. But what if you can’t read yet? Enter the Random E Chart, where the letter E appears in different directions, and you can simply point to show which way the E is facing—perfect for kids or non-readers. For those who struggle with close-up vision, the Jaeger Chart tests how well you can read smaller print up close, often catching age-related vision changes like presbyopia. On the cool tech side of eye tests, the Autorefractor Test is where a machine automatically measures how light bends in your eye to detect refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness. Finally, the Phoropter Refraction Test lets you try different lenses, answering the classic “Which is clearer—1 or 2?” question to fine-tune your prescription. Together, these tests give a complete picture of your eye health. 

If your eyes do not naturally see 20/20, there are several effective ways to achieve clearer vision. Eyeglasses and contact lenses are the most common, noninvasive solutions. For permanent options, LASIK and PRK surgeries reshape the cornea, while implantable lenses offer a surgical alternative for those who may not qualify for laser procedures. Specialized treatments like orthokeratology, where lenses are worn overnight temporarily reshape the cornea, and vision therapy for conditions like lazy eye can also help. For older adults with cataracts, cataract surgery can significantly restore vision by replacing the eye’s natural lens with an artificial one. With today’s advancement in eye care technology and treatment options, the likelihood of achieving 20/20 is remarkably high for most people.