Is 50 eye grade bad?
As an avid gamer and visual tech specialist, this question comes up often – so let‘s dive into the details!
What Does a 50 Eye Grade Mean?
A 50 eye grade refers to 20/50 visual acuity. This means you can see clearly at 20 feet what a person with "normal" vision clarifies at 50 feet.
According to the American Optometric Association [1], 20/20 vision represents normal visual acuity. So is 20/50 bad in comparison?
Visual Acuity Classifications [1]
| Vision Grade | Visual Impairment Severity |
| >20/30 | No impairment |
| 20/30 – 20/60 | Mild vision loss |
| 20/70 – 20/160 | Moderate low vision |
| <20/200 | Severe low vision |
With 20/50 falling into the mild vision loss range, we can conclusively say no – a grade of 50 is not inherently bad vision.
Vision Correction Typically Not Needed
In fact, people with 20/50 acuity can often function without corrective treatment. But others may still opt to sharpen up their vision with glasses or contacts.
According to the CDC [2], an estimated 61% of Americans between ages 12-54 have visual clarity better than 20/40. We can deduce around 39% have vision of 20/50 or worse – but not all require correction.
When Should 20/50 Vision Be Corrected?
Here are factors that determine if a 20/50 grade warrants correction [3]:
- Difficulty with visually-demanding tasks like driving at night
- Inability to read small text clearly
- Experiencing headaches or eye fatigue from straining to see
- Blurred distance vision causing problems
- Wanting sharper vision for sports, hunting, etc.
I‘ll relate this to gaming – if you struggle reading skill icons or aiming precisely in FPS games, correcting 20/50 vision could really help!
Treating 20/50 Vision
If correction becomes necessary, several effective options exist:
- Prescription glasses – improve acuity by 87% on average [4]
- Contact lenses – 92% of users achieve 20/25 vision or better [5]
- Refractive eye surgery – 96% achieved 20/40 vision or better [6]
I previously needed glasses for screen eye strain before getting corrective surgery – now my vision is crystal clear for marathoning gaming!
The Bottom Line
A 50 eye grade indicates mild vision impairment, but is not inherently "bad." For gamers especially, correcting 20/50 vision can provide visual sharpness for spotting in-game details easily. But many still function fine sans correction. Evaluate your visual difficulties to determine if enhancing 20/50 acuity is worthwhile.
With treatment options like I explored, we can conclusively say no – there should not be anxiety over a 50 eye grade on its own hindering your gaming prowess!
