Eye exams are an important way for an eye doctor to determine your vision capabilities and whether you need glasses or contact lenses to correct your eyesight. At Northern Lights Eye Care in Anchorage, AK, the team specializes in performing eye exams for all ages and helping patients correct their vision. They say many people ask them about the term “20/20 vision” and what it means exactly. 

Your visual acuity is measured using a Snellen chart. This chart displays letters that get progressively smaller. “Normal” vision is referred to as 20/20 vision. In essence, having 20/20 vision means you can see letters at 20 feet away, the same way a person with normal vision sees things at 20 feet away. If you have trouble with your vision, and, following your eye exam, you’re told you have 20/40 vision, this means you see things at 20 feet the way a person with normal vision sees things at 40 feet.

Keep in mind 20/20 vision isn’t the “best” vision you can have. Some people have what’s referred to as 20/15 vision. They can see things at 20 feet away a person with 20/20 vision can only see at 15 feet. To find out your exact vision score and whether you need to look into corrective lenses, schedule an eye exam with your optometrist. Additionally, be aware your eyes change over time, so don’t hesitate to schedule an eye exam if it’s been a few years.  

If you live in the Greater Anchorage area and are looking for an experienced eye care team that specializes in correcting vision with glasses and contact lenses, call Northern Lights Eye Care today at (907) 276-3937 to schedule your eye exam. To find out more about how they can help you and your family see clearly, explore their business online.