Achieving 20/20 Vision

www.laserforeyes.com/what-does-20-20-vision-mean/

In a time of increasing digital presence and eye strain, clear vision has become increasingly difficult to achieve. In fact, only 35% of the world has 20/20 vision without glasses, contact lenses, or eye surgery (Cleveland Clinic, 2024).

But what exactly is 20/20 vision? Is it perfect vision? Well, no. In short, this is a term to represent normal vision acuity, or the clarity in your eyesight (Visual Acuity, n.d.). The first 20 represents the distance, in feet, that an individual stands from an eye chart to take a test. The second number represents what you see in comparison to the average person when you stand at this distance. As an example, if you have 20/15 vision, you would see an object 20 feet away as clearly as most people would see it if they stood 15 feet away. In other words, if you have 20/15 vision, your eyes are better than the acclaimed 20/20 (Can You Have Better Than 20/20 Vision?, 2020). 

However, there are numerous methods in achieving 20/20 vision. Of course, there are your eyeglasses and contact lenses, but they are unfortunately not complete solutions. To possess normal acuity without the aforementioned physical aids, many have opted for surgery (Your Options for Achieving 20/20 Vision, n.d.) In deciding which method is most optimal for you, speak with your optometrist. It is a decision only you can make, but your eye doctor can have some valuable insight into what may work best for you. 

The surgery in question is called LASIK. The best long-term results in this surgery tends to be in people with a low grade of nearsightedness. Specific guidelines will be given to you in preparation for the surgery, in addition with a discussion of the risks and benefits of LASIK. As for what to expect, the surgery itself is usually completed in half an hour or less. Numbing drops are placed into your eye as the corneal flap is cut. The ophthalmologist will then use a programmed laser to reshape parts of the cornea. Overall, it is a painless procedure that leaves more than 8 out of 10 people without the need to use their glasses or contact lenses (LASIK Eye Surgery - Mayo Clinic, n.d.). 

On the other hand, if surgery seems undesirable, there are many other options that can improve your vision. Albeit, while these techniques may not give you 20/20 vision, they are still beneficial to maintaining or even improving your current eyesight. A good diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A, C, and E is great food for not only your body, but your eyes. This includes fish, citrus fruits like oranges, nuts and seeds, and leafy vegetables. Taking breaks from focus-intensive activities, especially on digital devices, is essential to reducing eye strain. Additionally, your eyes need a good balance of sunlight. Too much exposure to UV rays can damage your eyes, which can be prevented through wearing sunglasses, hats, and of course, avoiding looking at the sun (Rohit-Seo et al., 2025). 

In summary, improving your vision to 20/20 is not an easy feat; it is usually only possible through professional vision correction or a mixture of genetics and proper eye maintenance. However, by taking care of your eyes and working with your eye doctors, you can still enjoy clear vision, even if that means wearing glasses. 

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Sources

Can You Have Better than 20/20 Vision? – ASCO. (2020, January 2).

optometriceducation.org/2020/01/02/can-you-have-better-than-20-20-vision/ 

LASIK eye surgery - Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-

eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774

Professional, C. C. M. (2025, December 19). 20/20 Vision. Cleveland Clinic.

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/2020-vision 

Rohit-Seo, Al-Ghoul, A., & Ghoul, A. A. (2025, June 26). How to improve your vision

naturally | Clarity Laser Vision. Clarity Laser Vision.

www.claritylaservision.com/how-to-improve-your-vision-naturally/ 

Visual acuity. (n.d.). AOA. www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/vision-and-vision-

correction/visual-acuity 

Your options for achieving 20/20 vision: Curtis Frank, OD: Optometry. (n.d.).

www.doctorcurtisfrank.com/blog/your-options-for-achieving-2020-vision