What is Visual Acuity?

In basic terms, visual acuity is a measurement of the eye’s ability to distinguish small letters, symbols or shapes.  

20/20, 20/40, 20/80 or 6/6, 6/12, 6/24. What do all these fractions mean? The top number refers to the distance at which your vision is being tested and is usually measured in feet (ie 20 feet). However, Some Canadian and British optometrists will also use metric measurements (ie 6 meters). The bottom number refers to the distance from which an average person’s eye should be able see the same size letter. So if your visual acuity is 20/20, we say that you have perfect vision. But if your visual acuity is 20/40, that means that you can only see something at 20 feet that an average person can see from 40 feet away. Therefore your visual acuity is reduced.

It’s important to know however that even patients with perfect 20/20 vision can have other vision related problems or eye health conditions. As such, everyone should have an annual eye examination by an optometrist.

Book your next eye examination with a StoneWire Optometrist today.

Book your annual eye exam with a Doctor of Optometry at 
Stonewire Optometry in Kingsway Mall Today.