Understanding Eyeglasses Prescription: An Optometrist’s Guide

Understanding your eyeglasses prescription can feel like unraveling a complex mystery. It’s a puzzle of numbers and terms, each carrying a specific meaning about your eye health. But don’t worry, help is at hand. If you’ve recently had an eye exam houston and received a prescription, this blog is for you. It is a simple, straightforward guide to deciphering your eyeglasses prescription, aimed at making the process less daunting and more enlightening.

Decoding the Numbers: What They Mean

OD and OS refer to your right and left eye respectively. These Latin abbreviations – OD (oculus dexter) for the right eye and OS (oculus sinister) for the left – may seem cryptic but are pretty straightforward. Next, look for the SPH or sphere number. This tells you about the lens power needed to correct your vision. A ‘-’ sign indicates shortsightedness, while a ‘+’ sign indicates longsightedness. CYL or cylinder number and axis, on the other hand, relate to astigmatism.

Ophthalmic Abbreviations: Terms Explained

Next up are the terms ADD and PD. ADD (or addition) is the magnifying power needed for reading or close-up work. PD (pupillary distance) is the distance between the centers of your pupils. This measurement is crucial for placing the lenses correctly in your eyeglasses frame.

Your Prescription Table

Moving Forward

With this guide, you should find the puzzle of your eyeglasses prescription a lot easier to solve. Remember, you can always ask your optometrist to explain any parts that you don’t understand. After all, your vision is important. For additional information on understanding your prescription, consult the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s guide.

So, next time you undergo an eye exam, you’ll be well-prepared to understand your eyeglasses prescription. Here’s to clear vision and better eye health!