Is 20/15 Better Than 20/20 Vision?

Vision impacts how you interact with the world. It can be an important component of your independence, learning, and personal safety. It can influence how you navigate your environment, recognize faces, execute basic and complex tasks, and respond to visual cues. Good vision can enhance your ability to learn new information, excel at work, and engage in social activities.

Many people struggle with refractive errors like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism, which can lead to blurred vision, eye strain, headaches, and other complications. These conditions can hinder your ability to perform daily tasks efficiently and enjoy activities like reading, sports, or driving, even under the most ideal circumstances.

Thankfully, there have been tremendous improvements in the field of ophthalmology, allowing for incredible accuracy in diagnosing and correcting refractive errors. A range of solutions—from eyeglasses and contact lenses to advanced surgical procedures like LASIK—are now available, enabling many to enjoy a clarity and breadth of vision that may once have been unattainable.

At 20/20 Institute, our experienced vision correction specialists understand the profound impact correcting refractive errors can have. We are here to assess your vision, provide information about your vision correction options, and help you choose the best solution for your specific needs.

For a FREE consultation with one of our Denver LASIK doctors, call 20/20 Institute at 303-202-0669 today. We have offices in Westminster, Englewood, Downtown Denver, and Colorado Springs. We welcome patients from all areas of Colorado.

What Is 20/20 Vision?

20/20 vision—often termed the “standard of normal vision”— is based on a visual acuity test that measures the sharpness or clarity of a person’s sight from 20 feet away. This metric implies that an individual with 20/20 vision can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. The concept of 20/20 vision comes from the standardized eye chart test, where the size of letters decreases line by line. Achieving clarity on a specific line correlates to your visual acuity rating.

In the United States, the standard visual acuity test is performed at a distance of 20 feet. The bottom number changes—either up or down—depending on your specific acuity. For example, if you have 20/100 vision, you need to be five times closer to an object to see what someone with 20/20 vision can see clearly at 100 feet away.

Is 20/20 Vision “Perfect” Vision?

20/20 vision represents the average visual acuity. However, clear distance vision, while important, represents only a fraction of what constitutes comprehensive visual health. Many other factors contribute to what we consider “perfect” vision, and these elements can significantly affect an individual’s ability to navigate their surroundings effectively.

Visual acuity goes beyond the static measurement of 20/20 vision. It includes dynamic aspects such as the ability to focus on objects at varying distances and the capacity to maintain visual clarity under different lighting conditions. Issues like glare sensitivity, night vision difficulties, and problems with contrast detection can all impair your eye’s ability to function optimally, even if you have 20/20 vision on a standard eye chart.

While 20/20 vision is an important indicator of visual acuity, it does not encapsulate the entirety of visual function. Comprehensive eye health encompasses a wide range of abilities, including but not limited to peripheral awareness, eye coordination, depth perception, and color vision. Even with 20/20 vision, you can experience significant visual challenges that affect your daily life.

What Is 20/15 Vision?

20/15 vision represents a level of visual acuity that surpasses the standard 20/20 benchmark. An individual with 20/15 vision can identify letters or objects from 20 feet away with the same clarity that a person with normal vision could from 15 feet away. Essentially, this means people with 20/15 vision have a sharper, more refined ability to perceive details at a distance.

Having 20/15 vision can be particularly advantageous in activities that require precise visual discrimination, such as certain sports, detailed craftsmanship, or professional tasks that demand acute observational skills. Athletes might benefit from such enhanced vision for timing and accuracy. Professionals like graphic designers, surgeons, and pilots may also find that superior visual acuity contributes to their efficiency and precision in their work.

Can Vision Be Better Than 20/15?

Yes, vision can be better than 20/15. Some individuals—often due to genetics and overall eye health—have visual acuity sharper than the standard 20/20 or 20/15. While extremely rare, some people have 20/10 vision, meaning they can see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can only see at 20 or 15 feet, respectively.

Can Vision Be Improved to 20/20 or 20/15?

Refractive errors can be addressed through non-invasive methods like eyeglasses and contact lenses as well as cutting-edge vision correction surgeries. However, no single method can address the entire range of vision problems. At 20/20 Institute, our Denver eye doctors use highly advanced diagnostic tools—many of which are uncommon at other practices—to determine which course of action will provide the most reliable and long-lasting results for each patient.

Vision correction solutions we offer include:

LASIK Surgery

LASIK is one of the most well-known and frequently performed procedures for correcting vision issues like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. This laser eye surgery involves reshaping the cornea to enable light entering the eye to be properly focused onto the retina, thereby improving vision clarity. At 20/20 Institute, we offer Wavefront Optimized® LASIK with the Wavelight® EX500 Excimer Laser, which customizes the procedure based on your unique eye characteristics, resulting in more precise outcomes and enhanced visual quality.

Monovision LASIK

Monovision LASIK is a specialized approach designed primarily for patients over 40 who are experiencing presbyopia, the age-related decline in near vision. In this procedure, one eye is corrected for distance vision and the other for near vision. This strategy allows the individual to rely on one eye for reading and close-up tasks, and the other for activities requiring distance vision. This can help to reduce or even eliminate the need for reading glasses.

Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)

For patients who may not be ideal candidates for LASIK or those with high degrees of myopia, ICLs offer an alternative solution. This procedure involves placing a biocompatible lens between the iris and the natural lens, enhancing the eye’s ability to focus light correctly.

At 20/20 Institute, we understand that each patient’s vision is unique. During your cost- and obligation-free consultation, we will carefully assess your vision and medical candidacy to guide you toward the most effective solution for your eyes.

20/20 Institute Is Here to Help

At 20/20 Institute, we are dedicated to quality and precision. These commitments have contributed to our remarkable 99.67% success rate in achieving 20/20 vision or better* for our LASIK patients. Our approach starts with a thorough evaluation to determine the most effective course of action, with a priority on your safety and optimal visual outcomes.

Our patient care is unmatched, characterized by personalized, concierge service from your initial consultation through all of your post-operative care. Carefully considering every aspect that goes into vision correction surgery, we offer exceptional value with our best price guarantee, clear financing options, and insurance discounts. We take great pride in helping as many people as possible achieve 20/20 vision—or better—through customized procedures and attentive care.

Our local, independent LASIK doctors know how important your vision is to your quality of life. We are here to help you see the world as clearly as possible now, and for years to come.

Contact Us Today for a FREE Vision Correction Surgery Consultation

If you are interested in learning more about how you might be able to achieve 20/20 vision or better, contact 20/20 Institute online or call us today to schedule your FREE consultation at one of our four convenient Front Range locations. We welcome patients from Longmont, Boulder, and all Colorado communities at our Colorado Springs, DTC, LoDo, and Westminster locations.