What do we refer to if a patient has neither myopia nor hyperopia?

When a patient has neither myopia (nearsightedness) nor hyperopia (farsightedness), the term "PL" or "plano" is used to indicate that there is no refractive error present. This means that the patient's vision is considered to be at a neutral point, where light entering the eye is focused directly on the retina without the need for corrective lenses.

Using "PL" conveys a specific clinical understanding, indicating that the eye is neither too strong nor too weak in its focusing ability. This neutral state is a critical baseline in optometry when assessing visual acuity and addressing any necessary treatments or corrections.

While "0.00" might also suggest a neutral refractive state in some contexts, it is often less commonly used in a direct clinical discussion with patients. "Normal vision" and "perfect sight" are broader terms that might encompass a range of visual abilities, but they do not specifically reflect the absence of refractive error in the same technical way as "PL." Hence, "PL" is the most appropriate and widely understood term in the field for indicating a lack of myopia or hyperopia.