How to Read Your Eyeglass Prescription?

If you have ever visited an ophthalmologist, you might have received an eyeglass prescription, a small piece of paper filled with numbers and abbreviations that can seem overwhelming at first glance. However, understanding your eyeglass prescription is essential for choosing the right eyewear and maintaining optimal vision. Here begins the first step on how to read your eyeglass prescription.

Understanding the Terminology of Your Eyeglass Prescription

Before we delve into the numbers and symbols, let's familiarize ourselves with some basic terminology used in eyeglass prescriptions.

OD and OS: These abbreviations stand for "oculus dexter" and "oculus sinister," respectively, which mean "right eye" and "left eye" in Latin.

Sphere (SPH): SPH, for Spherical, refers to the refractive correction in the prescription. Minus (-) are for nearsightedness, it means you have trouble seeing things faraway. and Plus (+) values are for farsightedness, it means you have trouble seeing near. If "PL" or "Plano" is written for either SPH value on your prescription, you should select a value of 0.00 or PL.

OD-SPH is a spherical correction for your right eye.

OS-SPH is a spherical correction for your left eye.

Cylinder (CYL):

CYL, for Cylinder, refers to the strength of the correction for astigmatism in the eye. It can be either positive or negative. If there is a CYL value on an eye, there must be an Axis value on that eye.

If "DS" or "SPH" or "spherical" is noted in the CYL space on your prescription, you have no astigmatism in that eye. In that case, enter 0.00 or SPH/DS in the CYL and 180 in the Axis.

OD-CYL is a cylinder correction for your right eye.

OS-CYL is a cylinder correction for your left eye.

Axis:

Axis, refers to the angle of the correction for astigmatism in the eye (if one exists) from 1 to 180. If there is an Axis value on an eye, there must be a CYL (Cylinder) value on that eye.

The Axis value is usually written as 3 digits, which means if your Axis value is 5, it is often written as 005. This Axis value is still 5, regardless of how it is displayed.

OD Axis is Axis correction for your right eye.

OS Axis is Axis correction for your left eye.

Add (Addition): It represents the additional magnifying power required for close-up vision tasks, such as reading. This measurement is only present if you require reading glasses, bifocal lenses, or progressive lenses. It indicates the additional magnifying power needed for close-up vision and is usually a positive number.

An Example of An Eyeglass Prescription

An eyeglass prescription typically follows a standard format, with the measurements for the right eye listed first, followed by the left eye. Here is an example of an eyeglass prescription:

OD: -1.25 -0.50 x 120
OS: -1.50 -0.75 x 45
Add: +2.00

In this example, the right eye has a spherical measurement of -1.25 diopters (near-sightedness) and a cylinder measurement of -0.50 diopters (astigmatism) oriented at an axis of 120 degrees. The left eye has a spherical measurement of -1.50 diopters and a cylinder measurement of -0.75 diopters oriented at an axis of 45 degrees. Finally, the added measurement of +2.00 indicates that the person needs magnifying power for reading.

It's Time to Choose the Right Eyewear

Now that you can read and understand your eyeglass prescription, it's time to choose the right eyewear. Your prescription will determine the type of lenses you need, such as single-vision lenses for near-sightedness or far-sightedness, or bifocal or progressive lenses if you require magnifying power for reading. The prescription will also determine the lens material and coatings that are best suited for your needs.

When selecting frames, it's essential to consider factors such as style and comfort. When choosing frames, try on as many pairs as possible to find a style that better suits your face shape, as well as your personal style.

Keep your eyes healthy according to your eyeglass prescription

Regular eye exams are essential to maintaining healthy vision and detecting any changes in your prescription in advance so that you can make timely adjustments to your eyewear prescription.

In addition to regular eye exams, you can also take steps to maintain good eye health, such as avoiding prolonged use of electronic devices to reduce eye strain. You can also eat a healthy diet and eat fruits and vegetables that are good for your eyes, such as carrots and blueberries.

It is very meaningful in maintaining optimal vision if you know how to read your eyeglass prescription, which helps you to choose the right glasses, and to protect your eyes through regular eye exams, timely adjustments to your vision prescription, and a healthy lifestyle.