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Blog | Optical Industry Insights, Guides & Tools for Opticians

Actionable insights for opticians and eyewear retailers. Learn how to measure PD remotely, optimize optical workflows, choose the right tools, and grow your business with modern digital solutions.

Visual Acuity: What It Is, How It Is Measured, and What the Numbers Mean

Visual Acuity: What It Is, How It Is Measured, and What the Numbers Mean

Quick Answer: Visual acuity is reported in four interchangeable notations: Snellen imperial (20/20), Snellen metric (6/6), decimal (1.0), and logMAR (0.0), which all describe the same standard level of vision. A result of 6/12 is the same as 20/40 or decimal 0.5, a mild reduction still within the WHO’s no-impairment range. A result of 0.1 on the decimal scale is the same as 6/60 or 20/200, the U.S. legal blindness threshold.