What does 20/400 mean?
20/400 is a method of measuring your vision. It
allows the doctor to rate your vision as compared
to perfect vision. For example, a person with
20/20 vision can be 400 feet from a sign and read
it. A person with 20/400 vision will have to move
from 400 feet to 20 feet before they are able
to read the sign.
Will my eyes ever stablilize?
Typically a person's vision will fluctuate from
birth through childhood and up to approximately
25 years of age before they stabilize. At forty
years of age, difficulty with near vision will
occur and continue to approximately fifty-five
years of age.
I am 42 years old. What is happening to
my near vision?
Around 40, the crystalline lens in the eye loses
elasticity, resulting in the inability to focus
up close.
What is the dilation for?
See section "Eye Exams"
Why do I need an eye exam? I see clearly.
Many times a patient believes they see clearly
because a prescription can change very gradually.
Your doctor also checks the health of the eye.
Routine exams are recommended, as your doctor
not only determines a prescription, but looks
for eye conditions such as diabetes, hypertension,
cataracts, retinal detatchments, etc.....See section
"Eye Exams"
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