Some Misperceptions Regarding Vision — Our Sight Dilemma

The over reliance on 20/20, as perfect vision, limits our understanding of our true visual capabilities

In reflecting back on my four-decade career as an optometric educator and clinician, I am still astounded at some commonly held misperceptions related to vision. Dr Herman Snellen, an ophthalmologist, designed an acuity chart in 1851 and it has continued to be the primary test in determining one’s visual functioning in the year, 2022. Ironically, many health care professionals have fixated on 20/20 acuity as the standard of vision for centuries.

Visual Significance

For many in our society this persistent messaging has resulted in 20/20 vision being considered as perfect vision. From a historical perspective, this erroneous interpretation of vision is like viewing the year 2020 as a period of calm and tranquility.

Since the eye has been considered, a window into our health, a major focus of an eye exam has been on the diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease. Within the Medicare system, payment is dependent on this specific diagnosis. Any other non-disease-oriented code is not reimbursable.