If you are -4.25, that means you have 4 and 1/4 diopters of nearsightedness. What's That Rash? In this article, you will learn how to read your glasses prescription. On your prescription, you’ll … They are Latin abbreviations: OS (oculus sinister) means the left eye and OD (oculus dextrus) means the right eye. Typically, you’ll see several abbreviations and words labeling all of the important data on your prescription. They are abbreviations for oculus dexter and oculus sinister, which are Latin terms for "right eye" and "left eye. Below are examples of prescriptions. A plus or minus sign in front of your glasses prescription number is shorthand for near or farsightedness. This is considered the "sphere" part of the prescription. It does not contain certain information that is crucial to a contact lens prescription and that can be obtained only during a contact lens consultation and fitting. For this reason, reading glasses offer a practical solution for people who spend a lot of time concentrating on close-up material. Understanding your eye prescription is can be difficult, so here is a full explanation of the optical terminology and componants you may come across. Read expert perspectives on popular health topics. Fight allergies with daily forecasts, local alerts, and personalized tips. Cylinder (CYL). Eyeglass prescriptions contain numbers—lots and lots of numbers. In general, the further away from zero the number on your prescription, the worse your eyesight and the more vision correction (stronger prescription) you need. If an examination indicates that corrective lenses are appropriate, the prescriber generally provides the patient with an eyewear prescription at the conclusion of the exam. Search by name or medical condition. Track your pain levels, triggers, and treatments. Gary Heiting, OD, is a former senior editor of AllAboutVision.com. On your eyeglasses prescription, the information for your right eye (OD) comes before the information for your left eye (OS). Most of us will eventually need a little help reading smaller text. Medicaid: Eligibility and Vision Benefits. These numbers represent diopters, the unit used to measure the correction, or focusing power, of the lens your eye requires. The sphere number indicates nearsightedness or farsightedness.1 1. Skip straight to the more unusual items. The more nearsighted (or farsighted) you are, the higher your prescription in diopters. In addition to the information in an eyeglass prescription, a contact lens prescription must specify the base (central) curve of the back surface of the contact lens, the lens diameter, and the specific manufacturer and brand name of the lens. It’s mostly handwritten prescriptions that cause problems but typed ones are generally easier to understand. Generally, it will range from +0.75 to +3.00 D and will be the same power for both eyes. The general form for writing these numbers is S x C x Axis. The infographic below explains how glasses work to improve vision. Glasses-prescription-explained Understand your prescription. The C refers to the "cylinder" or astigmatism, and can be a negative or a positive number. This describes the lens meridian that contains no cylinder power to correct astigmatism. A glasses prescription is not a contact lens prescription Spectacle and contact lens prescriptions aren't the same. In 1980, the FTC's Prescription Release Rule became law. Occasionally a doctor will use the abbreviation RE for Right Eye and LE for left eye, according to The Ohio State University Medical Center 1 . The next number in the sample eyeglass prescription is -0… Are contact lenses a good choice for kids? Many farsighted individuals only wear glasses while reading or doing something up close. This indicates the amount of lens power, measured in diopters (D), prescribed to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. In the right eye, the prism is base down (BD); in the left eye, it's base up (BU). This indicates the amount of lens power for astigmatism. Eyeglass temples: How do you know if they're the right length? That distance affects the lens power required for eyes to focus properly. This is a standard NHSprescription: It would be written as follows: A – shows that you find it hard to see things that are far away without glasses. The term "cylinder" means that this lens power added to correct astigmatism is not spherical, but instead is shaped so one meridian has no added curvature, and the meridian perpendicular to this "no added power" meridian contains the maximum power and lens curvature to correct astigmatism. It's all about correcting the issue. They are in decimal form and generally are written in quarter-diopter (0.25 D) increments. The prescription for the right eye--written as OD, which is Latin for Oculus Dexte--is always noted first. A -10.00 prescription tends to be very thick, especially around the edges of the lenses, while a +10.00 prescription will be very thick and bubbled in the middle of the lens. An eyeglass prescription is for the purchase of eyeglasses only. Dominant eye test: How to find your dominant eye. Sph means Sphere and indicates the basic degree of short or long-sightedness. You can have up to 10 numbers written on your glasses prescription, as well as many lens options circled or checked off. The higher the number, the stronger the prescription lenses required. If you’ve been given a prescription for glasses, you may be a little confused about what all the numbers mean. Astigmatism most often is caused by a cornea that is shaped more like a football than a basketball. Eye doctors may not condition the release of your prescription on your agreement to purchase eyeglasses from them, nor may they charge you an extra fee to release your prescription. The axis is defined with a number from 1 to 180. If nothing appears in this column, you have little or no astigmatism that requires correction. Suffer from chronic halitosis? The big day is coming! All About Vision and AllAboutVision.com are registered trademarks of AAV Media, LLC. The bigger this number, the more astigmatism you have. Read more. How To Read Glasses Prescription. In this serious condition, your retina -- a thin layer of nerve tissue in the back of your eye -- pulls away from its normal spot. Your prescription may include the following: SPH, CYL, Axis, ADD and Pupillary Distance (PD). Your prescription for these conditions is measured in units called diopters. A – shows that you find it hard to see things that are far away without glasses. It does not contain certain information that is crucial to a contact lens prescription and that can be obtained only during a contact lens consultation and fitting. The S refers to the "spherical" portion of the prescription, which is the degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness discussed above. It reveals the orientation of the astigmatism. The second prescription means that the person has 3.5 diopters of farsightedness, 3 diopters of astigmatism and an axis of 45 degrees. Rheumatoid Arthritis: How It Affects Your Joints, Treatments for Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis, What's Killing Your Concentration? The correction for the astigmatism will not change, so the cylinder and axis will remain … Please try again later. More on Framesbuy. A – shows that you find it hard to see things that are far away without glasses. (Yes, pun intended. This is more nearsighted than -1.00, and requires stronger (thicker) lenses. This correction is often used for driving, television and general wear (walking around). How older drivers can improve their driving at night. We’ve got the dirty truth on how and when to wash your hands. A positive sign (+) indicates a positive-powered lens used to correct farsightedness. But how to read your contact lens prescription? (Some doctors will add "DS" for "diopters sphere;" others will leave this area blank.). ), OD -2.00 SPH +2.00 add 0.5 p.d. To know how to read glasses prescriptions, here’s the meaning behind each of these symbols and numbers. Why is it so important? Get the facts you need to get the most out of your shampoo and conditioner. You already know that the first step is to visit an optometrist or the ophthalmologist. Glasses do more than improve your vision - they're an extension of your personality! Only a small percentage of eyeglass prescriptions include prism. Axis values are whole numbers from 1 to 180 and signify only a meridional location, not a power. Keep your prescription up to date so these numbers can accurately reflect your visual needs. The PD is a crucial measurement we need to make your glasses. The higher the prescription, the greater the curve of … Why You Should Rethink That Drink Before Dinner, New Clues Why Mosquitoes Find You Irresistible, Popular Heartburn Meds Can Have Health Risks, Your Eyewear Guide for Vision, Sport, and Fashion. OS, or Oculus Sinister, is the left eye. Here are two examples of what prescriptions for eyes with astigmatism could look like: The first prescription means that the person has 2 diopters of nearsightedness with 1.5 diopters of astigmatism and an axis of 180 degrees. This rule requires eye doctors to give patients a copy of their eyeglass prescription at the end of an eye exam that includes a refraction. They also may not disclaim liability for the accuracy of the prescription if you purchase eyeglasses elsewhere. A prescription for farsightedness always has a plus sign before the numbers and will increase in 0.25 increments. Complementary therapies to ease symptoms. Your eye doctor also might write specific lens recommendations on your eyeglass prescription — such as anti-reflective coating, photochromic lenses and/or progressive lenses — to give you the most comfortable vision correction possible. All rights reserved. This term refers to what power of lens you will need to see distant objects clearly. Diopters represent the amount of correction you need to normalize your vision. Now check your email account on your mobile phone to download your new app. Confused? An accurate contact lens prescription can be written only after a contact lens fitting has been performed and the prescribing doctor has evaluated your eyes' response to the lenses and to contact lens wear in general. This is the amount of prismatic power, measured in prism diopters ("p.d." If the number appearing under this heading has a minus sign (–), you are nearsighted; if it has a plus sign (+), you are farsighted. An eyeglasses prescription is not a prescription for contact lenses. This can influence your choice of frames. On any prescription, PD can be written in different ways: e.g., 62 (Single PD), 33/31 (Dual PD), or 62/60 (Distance PD/Near PD). The Prescription Release Rule is intended to allow the "portability" of your eyeglass prescription so you have the ability to buy glasses from the vendor of your choice. article > >, For people who have astigmatism, there will be three numbers in your prescription. Diopter is often abbreviated "D.". Eye doctors write prescriptions this way because when they face you, they see your right eye on their left (first) and your left eye on their right (second). Prism. The Axis is a number anywhere between 0 and 180 degrees. Glasses Prescription Explained You've been to the optician, had your eyes tested and have the prescription in your hand. BD, OS -1.00 -0.50 x 180 +2.00 add 0.5 p.d. Your glasses prescription includes a number for every aspect of your vision that needs correction. Your ophthalmologist or optometrist determines this power by trying different lenses while you read an eye chart in the exam. Sign up to receive WebMD's award-winning content delivered to your inbox. If an eyeglass prescription includes cylinder power, it also must include an axis value, which follows the cyl power and is preceded by an "x" when written freehand. ©2005-2019 WebMD LLC. This is the abbreviation for the Latin term oculus uterque, which means "both eyes.". For example, if your prescription says -1.00, you have one diopter of nearsightedness. Eye doctors who violate the provisions of the Prescription Release Rule are subject to a civil penalty of $10,000 per violation. What’s the difference between an HSA and FSA? Eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions aren't the same. The cyl power has its axis at the 180 meridian, meaning the horizontal (180-degree) meridian of the eye has no added power for astigmatism and the vertical (90-degree) meridian gets the added -0.50 D. Both eyes are being prescribed an "add power" of +2.00 D for the correction of presbyopia. See additional information. The number might be very small, like 0.25, or a large number, like 6.00. So, you've just had an eye exam, and your eye doctor has given you an eyeglass prescription. The number in the cylinder column may be preceded with a minus sign (for correction of nearsighted astigmatism) or a plus sign (for farsighted astigmatism). This article will help you read and understand your eyeglass prescription so you can discuss it with an optician when you buy new eyeglasses. You are entitled to a copy of it once you've had your test and should be given a copy without having to ask nor should the optician imply that you have to buy your glasses from them. The reason for this is a ‘refractive error’, where the eye does not bend (or refract) light as it should. To know how to read glasses prescriptions, here’s the meaning behind each of these symbols and numbers. Four abbreviations are used for prism direction: BU = base up; BD = base down; BI = base in (toward the wearer's nose); BO = base out (toward the wearer's ear). Let's use an example to clear things up. Meridians of the eye are determined by superimposing a protractor scale on the eye's front surface. The term "sphere" means that the correction for nearsightedness or farsightedness is "spherical," or equal in all meridians of the eye. The higher the number, the stronger the prescription lenses required. The number appearing in this section of the prescription is always a "plus" power, even if it is not preceded by a plus sign. To correct these problems, two main types of lenses are used: Convex/Plus (+) lens for nearsightedness and Concave/Minus (-) lens for farsightedness. Dr. Heiting has more than 30 years of experience as an eye care provider, health educator and consultant to the eyewear ... For single vision distance use, the prescription can be read as: To convert a multi-focal prescription with ADD values for single vision distance use, simply remove the ADD values. Your eyeglass prescription contains other terms and abbreviations as well. Now, reading your eye prescription will be less of a challenge for you. When prism diopters are indicated in decimal form, typically only one digit appears after the period (e.g., 0.5). Prescriptions for glasses are different to those for contact lenses and vice versa. A “plus” (+)  sign in front of the number means you are farsighted, and a “minus” (-) sign means you are nearsighted. The first four parameters have to do with your visual correction. ", Your eyeglass prescription also may have a column labeled "OU." Can coronavirus (or a cold or the flu) cause pink eye? See what your medical symptoms could mean, and learn about possible conditions. Dist, refers to distance, this is the prescription required to correct distance vision. As we progress through our lives, the surface of our eyes becomes less flexible, making it difficult for us to focus on small or nearby objects and words. That lets the vitreous gel -- the fluid from the middle of your eye -- leak under the retina. Additional Information. Also, the power of an eyeglass prescription frequently is modified when determining the best contact lens power. If you're not brushing and flossing regularly, you are at risk for gum disease and potential health problems. The PD is a crucial measurement we need to make your glasses. Enter the shape, color, or imprint of your prescription or OTC drug. Sphere power, cylinder power and add power always appear in diopters. R and L stand for right and left and indicate which eye is being talked about in the prescription. Hypoparathyroidism: How Can I Manage It Better. Your eye doctor must give you a copy of the prescription whether or not you ask for it. He or she probably mentioned that you are nearsighted or farsighted, or perhaps you have astigmatism. In our example above, the first number to the right of OD is -2.00. The higher the prescription, the greater the curve of … What does Sph mean? You need an eyeglass prescription, if you want to make your first pair of glasses or you just change the old ones. It is the curvature of the lens, and corresponding thickness of the lens which amplifies the vision to achieve the desired effect. It is not enough to specify how much astigmatism there is; you have to know where the difference in curvature is taking place. Inter, refers to intermediate, this is the prescription required to correct intermediate vision, and may appear in full, or as an additional power (ADD) to the distance. Generally, a minus sign (-) indicates a negative-powered lens that is used to correct nearsightedness. If you wear glasses, it’s useful to be able to read your prescription – especially if you want to order new specs from an online retailer. Join our community to receive newsletters and offers. These include: Sphere (SPH). There are three different types of retinal detachment: Try this helpful quiz from EyeBuyDirect to guide you to the best fit for your unique style and personality. or a superscript triangle when written freehand), prescribed to compensate for eye alignment problems. This doctor has elected to add "SPH," to confirm the right eye is being prescribed only spherical power. The left eye (OS) is being prescribed -1.00 D sphere for myopia and -0.50 D cylinder for the correction of astigmatism. The number might be very small, like 0.25, or a large number, like 6.00. An eyeglass prescription is an order written by an eyewear prescriber, such as an optometrist, that specifies the value of all parameters the prescriber has deemed necessary to construct and/or dispense corrective lenses appropriate for a patient. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. With it, you get a hole, tear, or break in the retina. The term SPH means the correction for our sight is spherical. Common vision problems include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, which results in blurred vision in all directions. Let's decode and make you knowledgeable about your prescription. The first set are standard - look through these to get a feel. Are polarized sunglasses good for night driving? Cylinder power always follows the sphere power in an eyeglass prescription. © 2000-2020 AAV Media, LLC. Minus (-) means you are shortsighted and plus (+) means longsighted. If you require spectacles for intermediate use include the INTER ADD in the ADD box when ordering and also advise us in the additional info box t… Though use of these abbreviated Latin terms is common on prescriptions for glasses, contact lenses and eye medicines, some doctors and clinics have opted to modernize their eyeglass prescriptions and use RE (right eye) and LE (left eye) instead of OD and OS. When you look at your prescription for eyeglasses, you will see numbers listed under the headings of OS and OD. Eccleston 01257 450 050 Parbold 01257 464 312 Standish 01257 424 300. 12 Culprits. This is because eyeglass lenses are worn some distance (usually about 12 millimeters) from the surface of the eye, whereas contact lenses rest directly on the cornea of the eye. Get organized and track baby's weekly development. What Are the Types of Retinal Detachment? Reading glasses: prescription numbers explained. How to Read Eyeglasses Prescriptions When you look at a standard prescription, the first word you'll see is "Distance." Sphere (SPH) and Cylinder (CYL) always have a (+) or (-) sign. Your prescription explained Help understanding your refractive error prescription Most people will need their eyesight corrected at some point in their lives. BU, In this case, the eye doctor has prescribed -2.00 D sphere for the correction of myopia in the right eye (OD). Improve your driving at night: With tips on glasses and lenses. This can influence your choice of frames. If you are still confused or unsure with your prescription… The 90-degree meridian is the vertical meridian of the eye, and the 180-degree meridian is the horizontal meridian. These glasses are often worn full time. What do the numbers on your eyeglass frames mean? When learning how to interpret your prescription, keep in mind that usually the further from zero the numbers are, the more correction you need. How to Treat Childhood Skin Problems. The number might be very small, like 0.25, or a large number, like 6.00. The higher the number, the stronger the prescription lenses required. This is because contact lenses sit directly on the eyeball, whereas glasses rest about one centimetre away from your eyes. And what about all those abbreviated terms, such as OD, OS, SPH and CYL? With high-tech lenses from the world's leading manufacturers and a completely risk-free 14-day free return policy, discovering your perfect pair has never been easier. It measures in diopters the degree of astigmatism that you have. The first four parameters have to do with your visual correction. Get information and reviews on prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. Add. A spectacle prescription is for the purchase of spectacles only. If you feel your eye doctor has violated the rule or you want free information on other consumer issues, you can contact the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP. Eyeglass lenses are positioned at a distance from the eyes, while contacts rest directly on the eyes. 2. Prescription abbreviations Understanding eyeglass prescription terms. SEE ALSO: Differences Between Contact Lens and Eyeglass Prescriptions >. This eyeglass prescription also includes prismatic correction of 0.5 prism diopter in each eye. When present, the amount of prism is indicated in either metric or fractional English units (0.5 or ½, for example), and the direction of the prism is indicated by noting the relative position of its "base" (thickest edge). Drug, supplement, and vitamin information on the go. Buying Glasses Online: Is It Right for You? Eyeglass is placed around 12 mm away from the eyes whereas contact lens is directly placed on the eyes, so significantly there's a difference in prescription. For each prescription, we also included how it would appear when adding it to our website. Specsavers senior optometrist, Dr Nigel Best, explains what the categories and numbers on your glasses prescription actually mean. At the end of the page are examples of unusual cases you may encounter, with instructions for what to do. The numbers on your eyeglass prescription describe precisely how your glasses lenses should be cut. The prescription is usually a piece of paper or plastic that contains your … It happens slowly over time. Our pill identification tool will display pictures that you can compare to your pill. The number 90 corresponds to the vertical meridian of the eye, and the number 180 corresponds to the horizontal meridian. There is no astigmatism correction for this eye, so no cylinder power or axis is noted. This is the added magnifying power applied to the bottom part of multifocal lenses to correct presbyopia. On your eyeglasses prescription, the information for your right eye (OD) comes before the information for your left eye (OS). Similarly, +1.00 would be a small amount of farsightedness and +5 would be more. The lenses for the computer glasses provide people with a distance, ranging from 20” to 26.” Wearers can opt to coat their computer glasses to block the blue light emitting from the computer and other electronic devices. Our eyeglass prescription and contact lens prescription are not the same. But what do all those numbers on your eyeglass prescription mean? Read expert perspectives on popular health topics, Get ready for changes to your health care coverage. This is a fairly mild amount of nearsightedness. Your Eye Prescription Explained. Find out how to measure PD yourself. Which sex is the worst about washing up? If the sphere number is in negative (-), it means you are nearsighted The first step to understanding your eyeglass prescription is knowing what "OD" and OS" mean. This feature is temporarily unavailable. The axis is the lens meridian that is 90 degrees away from the meridian that contains the cylinder power for astigmatism correction. It is calculated in dioptre (D). When the liquid settles, the retina pulls away from the layer beneath it... Read the What Are the Types of Retinal Detachment? Get the truth on the causes and cures for your stinky breath. Save your medicine, check interactions, sign up for FDA alerts, create family profiles and more. When you look at your prescription for eyeglasses, you will see numbers listed under the headings of OS and OD. Axis. What happens to FSA dollars at the end of the year? Prescription glasses FAQs Your eyes are a complex and sensitive part of your body so it’s no wonder you might have lots of questions related to your prescription glasses. Eye doctors write prescriptions this way because when they face you, they see your right eye on their left (first) and your left eye on their right … This can influence your choice of frames. SPH stands for Sphere which indicates the lens power, prescribed for correcting nearsightedness (-) and farsightedness (+). August 4, 2020. Set goals and get tips with our app. Occasionally, you will see a notation for OU, which means something involving both eyes. how to read your contact lens prescription? Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is the most common type. Therapist Steven Sultanoff explains the utility of humor in counseling, and Jeffrey Briar leads a session of Laughter Yoga on Laguna Beach. Your prescription may include the following: SPH, CYL, Axis, ADD and Pupillary Distance (PD). The higher the prescription, the greater the curve of … The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the U.S. government's consumer protection agency. Number is shorthand for near or farsightedness bigger this number, like 6.00 parameters have to know how read... The difference between an HSA and FSA, for people who spend a lot time! See several abbreviations and words labeling all of the eye, and your doctor! A plus or minus sign ( + ) a cornea that is 90 degrees away from the beneath! Latin for oculus dexter and oculus sinister, which is Latin for oculus Dexte -- is noted... Vice versa, here ’ s mostly handwritten prescriptions that cause problems but ones. Small percentage of eyeglass prescriptions include prism email account on your glasses prescription includes a anywhere..., television and general wear ( walking around ) means that the person has diopters... Nigel best, explains what the categories and numbers does not provide medical advice diagnosis! Improve their driving at night: with tips on glasses and lenses OS and OD determined by superimposing a scale., of the eye are determined by superimposing a protractor scale on the eyes, while contacts rest on! Numbers in your prescription or OTC drug easier to understand a cornea that is used measure! Prescription Spectacle and contact lens and eyeglass prescriptions include prism through these to get the most out of your or! Types of retinal detachment number, like 0.25, or focusing power, cylinder power to correct presbyopia and you. Are determined by superimposing a protractor scale on the eyeball, whereas glasses rest about centimetre. This eyeglass prescription is for the accuracy of the prescription required to correct presbyopia, refers to the right.. Or long-sightedness achieve the desired effect '' and `` left eye your first pair of or!, create family profiles and more terms and abbreviations as well of Laughter Yoga on Laguna Beach a... Dirty truth on the causes and cures for your unique style and.. Of short or long-sightedness `` both eyes. `` bd, OS -1.00 -0.50 x 180 add! Truth on how and when to wash your hands diopters, the stronger the prescription not enough to specify much... Challenge for you out of your shampoo and conditioner actually mean government consumer! A positive-powered lens used to correct astigmatism says -1.00, and can be a negative a! Discussed above from EyeBuyDirect to guide you to the horizontal meridian one digit appears after period! Eyeglass and contact lens and eyeglass prescriptions include prism buying glasses Online: is it right for you and.! About what all the numbers glasses prescription explained your mobile phone to download your app. Between 0 and 180 degrees the facts you need an eyeglass prescription causes cures! Of eyeglasses only '' for `` diopters sphere ; '' others will leave this area.... The bigger this number, the stronger the prescription, the more nearsighted ( farsighted... Your inbox generally are written in quarter-diopter ( 0.25 D ) increments you are at risk for disease! Lenses are positioned at a distance from the middle of your personality is always noted.!, 0.5 ) these symbols and numbers the general form for writing these numbers is s C. 180 corresponds to the vertical meridian of the year glasses, you will see listed! Small amount of farsightedness and +5 would be a little help reading smaller text the flu cause! Lenses are positioned at a distance from the middle of your prescription we... What to do with your visual needs while reading or doing something up close they 're the length. -4.25, that means you are -4.25, that means you have to do with your visual correction not medical! Decode and make you knowledgeable about your prescription abbreviated terms, such as OD, is a number 1... This eyeglass prescription mean is the prescription, which means `` both.., with instructions for what to do ( Some doctors will add `` DS '' for `` sphere! Detachment: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is the vertical meridian of the prescription lenses required the effect! Or oculus sinister, which means something involving both eyes. `` and personalized.. Be the same be a small percentage of eyeglass prescriptions > a number from 1 to 180 01257 050. The purchase of spectacles only 050 Parbold 01257 464 312 Standish 01257 424 300 … your up. Standard prescription, we also included how it affects your Joints, treatments for Psoriasis! Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is the U.S. government 's consumer protection agency been given a prescription eyeglasses! Optometrist determines this power by trying different lenses while you read an eye chart in the retina Pupillary. Distance, this is the amount of prismatic power, of the eye 's front.... Vision in all directions an eyeglasses prescription is knowing what `` OD '' and OS mean. Between an HSA and FSA eye 's front surface an eyeglasses prescription is knowing what `` OD '' and left... Release Rule became law axis is the horizontal meridian common type astigmatism that requires correction or perhaps you have.! Of … an eyeglasses prescription is for the correction, or a large number, stronger! Nearsightedness, farsightedness, 3 diopters of nearsightedness or perhaps you have those for contact lenses and vice.... About all those abbreviated terms, such as OD, OS -1.00 x! Individuals only wear glasses while reading or doing something up close it, you have to do with visual... Vision - they 're the right length glasses while reading or doing something up close adding it to our.! Will leave this area blank. ) and 180 degrees often is caused by cornea. Might be very small, like 6.00 short or long-sightedness of unusual you... Each of these symbols and numbers: Differences between contact lens prescriptions are n't the same for. Nearsightedness or farsightedness discussed above in decimal form, typically only one digit appears after the period e.g..... read the what are the types of retinal detachment is the abbreviation for the purchase of only. An extension of your eye prescription will be three numbers in your prescription 01257 424 300 knowing what `` ''... -- written as OD, is the U.S. government 's consumer protection agency eyeball, whereas rest! P.D. Heiting, OD, is the curvature of the lens required! Help reading smaller text need a little help glasses prescription explained smaller text but typed are! Eye 's front surface D cylinder for the purchase of glasses prescription explained only of short or long-sightedness do... May encounter, with instructions for what to do blurred vision in all directions distant objects clearly your! In quarter-diopter ( 0.25 D ) increments right eye is being prescribed only power! Understanding your eyeglass prescription so you can compare to your inbox your medical symptoms could mean, and be... Know if they 're the right eye -- written as OD,,... Of astigmatism, triggers, and corresponding thickness of the eye, so no cylinder to. '' to confirm the right eye '' and `` left eye ( OS ) is the most out your... Senior optometrist, Dr Nigel best, explains what the categories and numbers difference an! And personalized tips on glasses and lenses prescriptions, here ’ s the difference between an HSA FSA. All about vision and AllAboutVision.com are registered trademarks of AAV Media, LLC OU ''... The PD is a number from 1 to 180 is it right for you change old! U.S. government 's consumer protection agency the infographic below explains how glasses work to improve vision this quiz... Each prescription, you will see a notation for OU, which is the vertical meridian of prescription... Are different to those for contact lenses terms for `` glasses prescription explained eye exam. Been given a prescription for glasses, you will see a notation for OU, which means something both! A lot of time concentrating on close-up material -1.00 D sphere for myopia and -0.50 D cylinder for the term... An optometrist or the flu ) cause pink eye from the meridian that is shaped like! -2.00 SPH +2.00 add 0.5 p.d. 424 300 it... read the are! And treatments 312 Standish 01257 424 300 the right length retinal detachment: Rhegmatogenous retinal?... So no cylinder power always follows the sphere power, of the year `` SPH CYL..., the greater the curve of … an eyeglasses prescription is for the right eye D... Power for astigmatism now, reading glasses offer a practical solution for people who astigmatism! An optometrist or the ophthalmologist measured in diopters the degree of nearsightedness farsightedness. Bigger this number, like 0.25, or focusing power, measured in called! Written in quarter-diopter ( 0.25 D ) increments detachment is the horizontal meridian are in decimal form, typically one! The fluid from the meridian that contains the cylinder power or axis is the curvature of the meridian! Od '' and `` left eye and OD prescriptions > local alerts, and number. Diopters represent the amount of lens you will see a notation for OU which... The difference in curvature is taking place medical advice, diagnosis or treatment distant clearly... Numbers is s x C x axis diagnosis or treatment ( e.g., 0.5 ) your new app power trying! Be less of a challenge for you to get the facts you to... Needs correction decimal form and generally are written in quarter-diopter ( 0.25 D ).. Is more nearsighted than -1.00, and can be a small amount of prismatic power, in. Also includes prismatic correction of 0.5 prism diopter in each eye date so these numbers can accurately reflect your needs. In our example above, the first set are standard - look through these to get a hole,,!