20/80 Vision Simulator

Interactive vision simulator — drag the slider to compare eyesight levels.

Drag the slider to compare 20/80 vision with 20/20 - distance objects lose clarity quickly, especially at night.

Moderate-to-severe distance blur simulation for 20/80 vision.
Status: 20/80
20/20 (Perfect) 20/200 (Blind)

Drag slider to compare

With 20/80 vision, you see at 20 feet what someone with 20/20 sees at 80 feet.

This simulator is for educational purposes only and does not replace a professional eye exam.

Estimated Prescription Converter

20/80 Vision ≈ -2.00 to -3.00 Diopters

This is moderate-to-severe myopia and often impacts daily distance activities.

A proper prescription can dramatically sharpen distance vision for commuting, school, and outdoor use.

Shop Glasses

Daily Life Impact Check

🚗 🔴 Restricted

Driving

Corrective lenses required by law.

📖 🟡 Difficult

Reading

May need large print or zooming.

✈️ 🔴 Disqualified

Pilot License

👁️ 🟢 No

Legally Blind?

Boundary is 20/200.

20/80 vision reflects moderate-to-severe myopia. Without glasses, distance activities like driving, sports, and recognizing faces are difficult, but correction usually restores function.

20/80 on a Snellen chart means you see at 20 feet what a person with 20/20 eyesight could see at 80 feet.

  • Meaning: 20/80 causes strong distance blur.
  • What you'll notice: you need to be much closer to see details.
  • Next step: a proper prescription is important for safety and comfort.
  • Signs and faces blur quickly beyond short distances.
  • You may need to sit closer to screens or move nearer to read text.
  • Night driving feels especially difficult without correction.

20/80 means distance detail drops a lot. Uncorrected vision at this level often interferes with school, work, and outdoor activities.

20/80 is typically below driving requirements without correction. If you drive, wearing the right prescription is essential for safety.

Moderate-to-severe myopia is most common, sometimes with astigmatism. Eye health checks matter to rule out cataracts or retinal causes.

There is no exact one-to-one conversion between Snellen scores and glasses strength, but 20/80 often aligns with roughly -2.00 to -3.00 diopters for simple myopia.

  • Astigmatism or focusing issues can shift this range.
  • Treat any number here as a rough estimate only.

The right prescription can usually improve distance clarity significantly.

An eye exam is recommended if you notice:

  • you need to squint to read distance details
  • night driving feels stressful because of blur or glare
  • you avoid activities that rely on clear distance vision

People with 20/80 often notice problems in:

  • Following TV subtitles or menus from across the room.
  • Navigating unfamiliar streets without stopping often.

The right prescription can usually improve distance clarity a lot.

Quick comparison to nearby levels:

LevelCompared to 20/80
20/70Clearer than 20/80
20/80Current level
20/100More blur than 20/80

This simulator is for education only. Screen size, viewing distance, lighting, and eye health all affect what you see. If you are worried about your vision, please schedule a professional eye exam.

Last updated: December 12, 2025

Common Questions about 20/80

20/80 vision makes distant details quite blurry. Road signs, faces, and screens across a room lose sharpness without correction.

Yes. Glasses or contacts typically restore clear distance vision for 20/80 myopia. An eye exam will determine your exact prescription.

No. Legal blindness is usually defined as 20/200 or worse, but 20/80 still represents significant distance impairment.