A Simple Guide to Understanding Your Eyewear Prescription
Understanding your eyewear prescription is essential when it comes to finding the right glasses for your vision needs. However, all those numbers and abbreviations can be confusing. But fret not! In this easy-to-read guide, we'll break down your prescription and explain what each part means, empowering you to make informed choices when buying your glasses.
- Sphere (SPH)
The sphere (SPH) measurement indicates whether you are nearsighted or farsighted. A negative number (e.g., -2.00) means you are nearsighted, while a positive number (e.g., +1.50) indicates farsightedness.
- Cylinder (CYL) and Axis
These values are related to astigmatism correction, which occurs when your eye's shape is irregular. The cylinder (CYL) value represents the amount of correction needed, while the axis tells you the angle at which the correction should be placed.
- Add or Near Vision (ADD)
The "add" or "near vision" (ADD) measurement is for those who need help seeing up close due to presbyopia. It indicates the additional power required to correct near vision.
- Prism and Base
Prism prescriptions are rare, but they address eye alignment issues, such as double vision. The prism value indicates the amount of correction needed, while the base tells you the direction in which the correction should be positioned.
- Pupillary Distance (PD)
Your pupillary distance (PD) is the measurement of the distance between your pupils. It ensures that the lenses are properly aligned with your eyes. Your prescription may show a single PD value (e.g., 63.0) or separate values for each eye (e.g., 31.5/31.5).
- Additional Abbreviations
You might come across abbreviations like OD (right eye), OS (left eye), and OU (both eyes). These labels help differentiate between prescriptions for each eye or indicate prescriptions that apply to both eyes.
Decoding your eyewear prescription doesn't have to be overwhelming. By understanding the key components, such as sphere, cylinder, axis, add, prism, base, and pupillary distance, you can confidently choose the right glasses for your vision needs. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to seek guidance from an eyecare professional or the staff at an optical store. Remember, your prescription is unique to you, and having the correct glasses will ensure clear and comfortable vision.