What Is
20/20 Vision?
(And Why It's Not "Perfect")
It's the gold standard we all know. But 20/20 is just a fraction comparing you to "average." Here's what the numbers actually mean.
The Fraction Explained
20 / 20
Top number: Distance you stand from the chart
(20 ft).
Bottom number: Distance a "normal" person stands to see
the same thing.
So, if you have 20/40 vision:
- You must stand at 20 feet to see what a normal person sees at 40 feet.
- Your vision is roughly half as sharp as average.
If you have 20/15 vision (better than average):
- You can see at 20 feet what a normal person has to move in to 15 feet to see.
- Your vision is sharper than standard.
Why 20/20 isn't "Perfect"
20/20 only measures Visual Acuity — sharpness of static, high-contrast black letters on a white background. But real life isn't a Snellen chart.
What 20/20 Misses
- • Contrast Sensitivity: Seeing gray on gray (fog, night driving)
- • Depth Perception: Judging distance accurately
- • Peripheral Vision: Seeing motion to the side
- • Focus Speed: Switching from far to near quickly
The Brain's Role
Your eyes capture light, but your brain builds the image. You can have 20/20 optics but poor visual processing (blur, slow focus). Conversely, you can train your brain to see better even if your optics aren't perfect.
Can You Improve Beyond 20/20?
Yes. Many fighter pilots and professional baseball players have 20/12 or even 20/10 vision. While genetics plays a huge role in the physical shape of your eye, perceptual learning can sharpen how your brain interprets the signals it gets.
One of the most effective ways to improve visual processing is through Gabor patch training. This targets Contrast Sensitivity, which often matters more for real-world vision than simple acuity.
Train Your Brain for Better Vision
Visionary uses neuroscience-backed Gabor patch training to upgrade your visual processing.
Start Free Training