optometry question. -- greater than 20/20

[rocknightmare]

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i am trying to do some research on my eyes.. i went to an optometrist the other day and she prescribe me something to get me higher than 20/20 vision. i was wondering what are the side effects of that and where i can find more information this topic...

 

[eyestrain]

Higher as in better than 20/20? If so, there should be no side effects.

 

[aarlan]

i am trying to do some research on my eyes.. i went to an optometrist the other day and she prescribe me something to get me higher than 20/20 vision. i was wondering what are the side effects of that and where i can find more information this topic...

'higher' than 20/20 simply means that your personal best corrected visual acuity is better than the ability to resolve 1 arcminute at 20 feet, or that you see at 20 feet what a 'normal' person sees at 20 feet. It is not unusual for many patients to be refracted to 20/16 and sometimes better (so the patient can see at 20 feet what a 'normal' person must move to 16 feet to see clearly. Due to individual physiological differences , not everyone can be refracted to 20/20. The doctor simply gave you the prescription you require, and you are lucky enough to see 'better' than 20/20. There are no side effects to speak of in your case, other than you have very good vision.

AA

 

[UABopt]

'higher' than 20/20 simply means that your personal best corrected visual acuity is better than the ability to resolve 1 arcminute at 20 feet, or that you see at 20 feet what a 'normal' person sees at 20 feet. It is not unusual for many patients to be refracted to 20/16 and sometimes better (so the patient can see at 20 feet what a 'normal' person must move to 16 feet to see clearly. Due to individual physiological differences , not everyone can be refracted to 20/20. The doctor simply gave you the prescription you require, and you are lucky enough to see 'better' than 20/20. There are no side effects to speak of in your case, other than you have very good vision.

AA

In fact the average person has the ability to resolve the snellen equivalent of about 20/16.3 or so, at a contrast of 1. The 'standard observer' being able to resolve 1 minute of arc is a completely arbitrary value. I am sure it was decided upon to make the math a little easier. Though most lay people would consider 20/20 perfect, it is actually below average for a young healthy adult.

 

[rocknightmare]

ah interesting information.. so if an optometrist were to correct me to around 20/15 would there be any longterm side effects?? --- as in my eyes will start worsening faster??

 

[4Eyes]

ah interesting information.. so if an optometrist were to correct me to around 20/15 would there be any longterm side effects?? --- as in my eyes will start worsening faster??

Nope, I'd be pretty excited about 20/15 if it were me. 20/20 isn't always "best," it's just "really good," and it's what you hear about all the time. Some people, it doesn't matter how strong you make their lenses...they will never see 20/15. But they can see 20/20 which is totally fine. 20/15 is just even better. Actually, if an optometrist just got me to 20/20 and never even tried to get me to 20/15, I'd be kinda disappointed. So I think you're just fine. 🙂

*Disclaimer--I'm just a student and by no means an authority on the subject. 😀

 

[cpw]

ah interesting information.. so if an optometrist were to correct me to around 20/15 would there be any longterm side effects?? --- as in my eyes will start worsening faster??

not at all.. it's an old wives tale that glasses make your eyes weaker. enjoy your 20/15 vision 🙂 You're one of the lucky ones.

 

[rpames]

Last week I got a 60 some year old with minor cataracts down to 20/15 in both eyes. I almost fell off my chair! Some of those patients will really surprise me.