vision...20/200...what does that mean??

[teth]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 10:04pm

I've always been confused about those 20/20...20/200 measurments for vision. I know that 20/20 means that you can see things that are 20 feet away without glasses...and that 20/200 means you can only see things 20 feet away when normal people can see them at 200 feet away.

I have glasses and I know that my one eye is 500 and my other is 600. But, does that mean my vision is 20/500 and such?? I honestly don't get how it all works. Could the numbers I have be converted to that?

[BWIDB Charlie]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 10:49pm

I'll answer one portion of your question...

20/200 means that, if something were 200 feet away, you wouldn't be able to clearly see it until you were 20 feet away. Near-sighted. I hope that helps a bit!

Charlie
[e-mail]

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Edited to add: Nevermind, you knew this much already. Updated On: 5/24/05 at 10:49 PM

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 10:58pm

20/200 is also legally blind. I think. I'll have to double-check that.

BTW: teth, your avatar seriously creeps me out...

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 10:59pm

Are you sure 20/200 is legally blind? I'm not sure about that...I thought it was a lot higher. I think I'm 20/700 and I didn't think I was considered legally blind (though I'm close).

[teth]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 12:31am

Thanks for everyone's help (though...I still don't know how nearsighted I am). And yes, 20/200 IS legally blind (I found this on various sites).

Rose - You should not fear the "eye." Embrace it. :)

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 12:34am

But it kills! IT KILLS!!

[liotte]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 12:45am

I have 20/20 vision, so I don't know about this one. Just eat lots of carrots!

[Thenardier]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 12:50am

It is based on a scale.

20/20 means if something were 20 ft away, you see it as if it were 20 feet away. 20/200, let's say, means if something is 20 feet away you would see it the same way the "average person" would see it at 200 feet away.

[midnghtdolphin]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 12:57am

i thought you were only legally blind if corrective lenses dont' work... meaning with them, you still have 20/200.