You have heard of people lucky enough to have 20/20 vision and don’t need to wear glasses or contacts to see clearly. But what does it mean to have 20/15 vision?
When a person has 20/15 vision, it means they can clearly read and see objects from 20 feet away that a person with average vision can only see from a distance of 15 feet. It is said that approximately 30% of people have 20/15 vision.
Below, we’ll discuss more information on what it means to have 20/15 vision. Keep reading to learn all the details!
What is 20/15 Vision?
It is estimated that over 166 million Americans wear prescription glasses or contact lenses to improve their eyesight and achieve as close to 20/20 vision as possible.
Although 20/20 vision is considered “perfect vision” to most people, it really means that a person can see an object or read a sign from twenty feet away with no trouble.
For anyone who has to wear glasses or contact lenses, you know that twenty feet away without visual aids might as well be a mile away, so 20/20 vision is pretty impressive.
A person who has 20/15 vision, however, can clearly read and see at a 20-foot distance what most people can only clearly see from 15 feet away.
People with 20/15 vision are less rare than you would expect. It is estimated that approximately 30% of people have 20/15 vision.
Can Vision be Corrected to 20/15?
The eye doctor just told you that you have 20/20 vision. While most would be satisfied to hear that, you may wonder if there is any way you can achieve 20/15 vision.
You can do a couple of things if you wish to achieve 20/15 vision. You can talk to your doctor about the different eye exercises you can do to improve your vision, or consider laser eye surgery.
Note that it’s generally considered an overcorrection to have 20/15 vision post-laser eye surgery, and issues can arise over time.
While these options are usually effective, neither is guaranteed to improve your eyesight beyond 20/20.
Tips for Maintaining Your Eyesight
Keeping our eyes healthy and maintaining our vision for as long as possible is extremely important, especially as we age.
There are many things you can do to keep your eyes healthy and your vision as clear as possible for as long as possible.
These include:
- Avoid unhealthy food and drinks
- Avoid smoking
- Protect your eyes from damaging elements
- Take breaks from your screens
- Use proper lighting
Below, we’ll discuss the best ways to employ these tips.
Avoid Unhealthy Foods And Drinks
To keep your eyes (and the rest of your body) healthy, it is recommended that you maintain a healthy diet and avoid highly-processed or super sugary food and drinks.
Fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, and healthy grains can improve your vision and overall health.
Avoid Smoking
You know smoking is harmful to your lungs, throat, and mouth, but did you know it can also harm your eyes?
Quitting smoking, or avoiding starting altogether, will help your eyes see more clearly for much longer.
Protect Your Eyes from Damaging Elements
Protecting your eyes from things that can hurt them is a big part of maintaining your vision.
Some of the best ways to protect your eyes include:
- Wear sunglasses when you’re outside.
- Avoid looking directly into bright lights.
- Wear safety glasses when cutting wood or doing yard work.
Following the suggestions above will help protect your eyes from accidental environmental damage.
Take Breaks from Your Screens
Nowadays, the general population spends an exorbitant amount of time with a screen in their face.
Whether it is a television, computer, or touchscreen device, your eyes need a break.
Exposing your eyes to the bright light of a screen for extended periods is extremely damaging to your vision. It can also make your eyes feel tired and things look blurry.
To avoid damaging your eyes, set timers to remind yourself to get up and walk around or look away from the screen for a little while.
Use Proper Lighting
As stated above, bright sunlight or other bright lighting can be highly damaging to your vision. But, did you know that improper lighting can be just as dangerous?
When the lighting is too dim in an area, it can cause your eyes to strain as you are reading or trying to complete a task.
Over time, this can harm your eyes. It’s important to always have the correct amount of light for the task at hand.
In Conclusion
People with 20/15 vision can see things five feet closer than people who have 20/20 vision. Only around 30% of people have 20/15 vision.
To keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear, do everything you can to protect your eyes from strain and damage, and always visit your eye doctor regularly.