What is 20/20 Vision? - Page 1

Snellen Eye Chart -- 1862 -- 156 Years Old

Most of us are familiar with the term "20/20 vision" and know it means our eyesight is pretty good. But what exactly does "20/20" mean? Is it possible to have vision that's better than 20/20? Is it safe to drive if you don't have 20/20 vision? And what does it mean if your vision is 20/40? Or 20/200?

It All Started With an Eye Chart. In 1862, a Dutch eye doctor named Hermann Snellen devised an eye chart that became the standardized way eye care professionals to this day determine a person's distance visual acuity--how clearly someone sees distant objects.