No, a -1.00 eyesight prescription is not considered bad. It indicates a mild amount of nearsightedness (myopia).
Understanding Eyeglass Prescriptions
Eyeglass prescriptions use diopters (D) to measure the refractive error of your eyes. A minus (-) sign means nearsightedness, where you can see nearby objects clearly but distant objects appear blurry. A plus (+) sign signifies farsightedness.
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-1.00 Diopters: This represents a relatively mild level of nearsightedness. Many people with this prescription can function well without corrective lenses, though glasses or contacts improve visual acuity.
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Severity of Nearsightedness: The further the number is from zero (whether positive or negative), the stronger the prescription needed and, generally, the greater the vision impairment. For example, a -4.25 prescription indicates significantly more nearsightedness than a -1.00.
20/40 Vision and -1.00 Prescription
A -1.00 prescription might be associated with 20/40 vision. While 20/20 is considered normal visual acuity, 20/40 still allows for functional vision. Corrective lenses can significantly improve this vision to near-normal levels.
- 20/40 Vision: This means you see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision sees at 40 feet.
Is -1.00 a "Bad" Prescription?
Multiple sources confirm that -1.00 is a mild prescription. It's not considered "bad" eyesight, especially as it's easily correctable with glasses or contact lenses. Many individuals with this refractive error experience minimal daily difficulties.
In summary: A -1.00 eye prescription represents mild nearsightedness, not considered severely impaired vision.
