Everyone desires perfect vision. So, who wouldn’t love to see the vibrancy of nature, people and the things around them? The ability to see everything around you crisp and sharp from a far distance without aid is a testament to good visual acuity.
Visual acuity is the term used to describe the sharpness of vision. Visual acuity of 20/20 refers to normal vision in the United States. The Indian equivalent is 6/6, measured in meters, compared to the US system, measured in feet.
Hence, both of them denote the same measure of visual acuity in different countries. Also, countries in Europe and elsewhere use the 6/6 measure.
Some people see better than 20/20 with a visual acuity of 20/15 and 20/10. It implies that you can see far objects and even small texts from a distance of 20 feet compared to a person who sees them from 15 or 10 feet.
People who pass standard visual acuity tests may still have higher-order aberrations such as spherical aberration, trefoil and coma. They can be corrected through laser surgeries or rigid lenses such as Gas Permeable (GP) lenses.
Is normal vision your perfect vision?
A normal vision of 20/20 or 6/6 does not include other aspects of vision. These aspects are peripheral vision, stereopsis and the ability to see colours well. Stereopsis is the eye’s ability to see and analyse the dimensions of an object.
Advantages of having good visual acuity
- Good quality of life.
- Feel comfortable in your daily activities, whether watching television, going out, reading a book or the board, etc.
- There’s no need to put pressure on your eyes to see something by squinting or sitting close to screens emitting blue light.
- It ensures your safety in activities at home and outside. This could be walking, driving, jogging, cycling or something else.
The common refractive errors that lower visual acuity include –
- Near-sightedness (Myopia)
- Far-sightedness (Hyperopia)
- Presbyopia (Myopia + Hyperopia)
- Astigmatism (irregular eye curve)
In such cases, vision correction happens through corrective glasses, contact lenses or laser surgery. Eye drops such as Pilocarpine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic solution treat Presbyopia.
Diseases that lower normal visual acuity
Health conditions that may affect your eyesight include:
- Diabetes
- Cataract
- Glaucoma
- Strabismus
- Cornea issues
- Multiple sclerosis
- Thyroid problems
- Age-related Macular Degeneration
A basic visual acuity test is done using the simple Snellen chart. A nurse or technician can do it.
You may not have the perfect vision. But you can certainly have a normal vision of 20/20 or 6/6. The following may help you:
- Healthy Diet
- Regular exercise
- Regular eye exam
- Quitting tobacco
- Using protective eyewear when needed
- Good eye rest
- Observing family history for eye issues
Therefore, normal vision is a basic need, not a fashion. Your actions can make a difference, indeed.
Maxivision is Hyderabad’s Best eye hospital in Hyderabad, and our unwavering commitment to quality eye care has been well documented. Hence, you can get the Maxivision advantage, too, by contacting us today.