Vision less than 20/20 is generally considered bad eyesight.
In more detail, "bad" vision is subjective and depends on the context. However, from a standard visual acuity perspective:
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Less than 20/20 Vision: This is the benchmark. 20/20 vision means you can see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can see at 20 feet. Anything worse, such as 20/30, 20/40, etc., is considered below average. The higher the second number, the worse the vision.
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Legal Blindness: In the United States, legal blindness is defined as having vision no better than 20/200 with corrective lenses or having a visual field of 20 degrees or less.
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Other Visual Impairments: Issues beyond visual acuity can also indicate "bad" vision. These include:
- Color blindness: Inability to distinguish certain colors.
- Double vision (diplopia): Seeing two images of a single object.
- Night blindness (nyctalopia): Difficulty seeing in low light conditions.
- Loss of peripheral vision: Reduced ability to see objects to the side.
- Blurred vision: Unclear or fuzzy vision.
Ultimately, any vision that significantly impacts a person's ability to perform daily tasks or enjoy life can be considered "bad" vision. It's best to consult with an eye care professional for a comprehensive evaluation.