If a patient has a visual acuity of 20/100 in her left eye, what does this indicate about her vision?

The indication of a visual acuity of 20/100 in a patient's left eye signifies that she can see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can see at 100 feet. This metric is a standardized way of measuring visual acuity where the first number refers to the distance from which the patient's vision is tested, and the second number represents the distance at which a person with normal vision can see the same detail. Consequently, a visual acuity of 20/100 means that the patient's vision is worse than that of a person with normal vision; she must be at a closer range to see what someone with normal acuity perceives from a farther distance.

Understanding this concept is crucial for healthcare providers in assessing the severity of a patient's visual impairment and aids in planning interventions or referrals to specialists if necessary.