<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-08-21</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000868263</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL VISION INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NVI</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001261163</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BUSBEE JEFF</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>296 GRAYSON HIGHWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LAWRENCEVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30045</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock </value><footnoteId id="F2"/></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5250</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding></nonDerivativeTable><derivativeTable><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Nonemployee/Dir Stk Option -- Right to Buy</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>.40</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2011-10-25</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>8000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Options vest seven years from grant date; vesting accelerates if the Company achieves EBITDA goals, or upon change in control.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Grant of restricted stock under Restated Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan.  Shares vest in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Jeff Busbee</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-08-27</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

