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Copyright 2006-2007 Bookcliff Vision Center - Website by Elegant Website Design
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If my child can see 20/20 is there any reason to be concerned about having his/her eyes examined? While 20/20 acuity (Snellen acuity) is considered normal vision, it is not necessarily perfect, nor does it mean that all parts are in good working order. First of all, it is important that both eyes are seeing equally well and that one eye is not being "left behind". Secondly, many people can see 20/15 (some even see 20/10); which means that they can see at 20 feet what the average person with 20/20 vision has to be 15 feet from to discern.
There are many other aspects of vision to consider - only some are tested during a routine eye exam. Stereopsis, and other tests, can identify problems that interfere with focusing and depth perception in the developing eyes. Contrast sensitivity is a measure of the eye's ability to resolve certain details at different contrast levels. Brightness acuity measures the individual's ability to see when exposed to glaring light. Visual field tests measure the sensitivity of vision centrally and peripherally. Cataracts and diseases of the retina and the pathways to the brain can affect each of these measurements.