Getting an eye prescription can feel like decoding a secret language. Understanding it helps you order glasses, contact lenses, or discuss vision needs with your optometrist confidently.

1. Key Components of an Eye Prescription

Most prescriptions include several abbreviations and numbers for each eye, often labeled as:

· OD (Oculus Dexter) – Right eye

· OS (Oculus Sinister) – Left eye

· OU (Oculus Uterque) – Both eyes

2. Sphere (SPH)

· Meaning: Indicates the lens power needed to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness.

o Minus (-) sign: Nearsighted (difficulty seeing far)

o Plus (+) sign: Farsighted (difficulty seeing close)

· Example: SPH -2.50 → Right eye needs a lens that corrects 2.50 diopters of nearsightedness.

3. Cylinder (CYL)

· Meaning: Corrects astigmatism, which is an irregularly shaped cornea causing blurred vision.

· If there’s no astigmatism, the CYL column may be blank or marked “DS” (diopters sphere).

· Example: CYL -1.00 → Lens corrects 1 diopter of astigmatism.

4. Axis

· Meaning: Specifies the orientation of astigmatism correction, measured in degrees from 0 to 180.

· Always paired with the CYL value.

· Example: AXIS 90 → Lens must be aligned at 90 degrees for proper vision correction.

5. Add (for Reading Lenses / Bifocals / Progressive Lenses)

· Meaning: Additional magnification for close-up vision in presbyopia (age-related difficulty seeing near).

· Usually written as a positive number, e.g., +2.00.

· Only applicable if you need multifocal lenses.

6. Pupillary Distance (PD)

· Meaning: Distance between the centers of your pupils in millimeters.

· Important for proper lens placement in glasses to ensure clear vision.

· Example: PD 62 mm → Pupils are 62 mm apart.

7. Other Notes

· Prism: Corrects eye alignment issues, usually noted in prism diopters.

· Base: Indicates the direction of prism correction (up, down, in, or out).

· Your prescription may also include lens recommendations like anti-reflective coating or blue-light filtering.

Example of a Typical Prescription

Eye

SPH

CYL

AXIS

ADD

OD

-2.50

-1.00

180

+2.00

OS

-2.00

-0.50

170

+2.00

· This means the right eye is more nearsighted and has a higher astigmatism correction than the left eye.

Bottom Line

Understanding your eye prescription ensures you get accurate lenses for optimal vision. Key elements are SPH (distance vision), CYL & AXIS (astigmatism), ADD (reading), and PD (pupils). Always bring your prescription to your optometrist or eyewear provider for clarification.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.

For more interesting updates wa click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel

Find out more:

Eye

G GOWTHAM

02/12/2025 08:06 PM