Visual acuity is a measurement of how clearly an individual can see. A result of 20/50 indicates that a person can see something at 20 feet that a person with standard vision can see at 50 feet. In simpler terms, someone with this level of sight needs to be 20 feet away to discern an object that a person with normal sight can clearly identify from 50 feet. This suggests a reduction in sharpness compared to typical vision.
Understanding the degree of visual clarity is important for various reasons. It helps determine the need for corrective lenses, impacts driving eligibility in many jurisdictions, and can influence career choices that require specific visual capabilities. Historically, standardized vision testing has allowed for consistent measurement and comparison of visual acuity across individuals, enabling better diagnosis and treatment of vision problems.
