
We can fill in these contents for single vision (non-multifocal) prescriptions not exceeding 5.00 in any basic direction (basically upward, basic downward, basically inward or basically outward). The higher value is a measurement in millimeters and represents your pupil distance. However, if the PD value is between 0 and 1, it is likely to be a prism diopter value. Generally speaking, your prescription will indicate Prism or use a triangle for shorthand to avoid confusion.

Just like the pupillary distance, the prism diopter can be abbreviated as PD.

One more thing: your prescription medicine may also have a prism value, measured in prism diopters. Prism correction is on the prescription of that small group of spectacle wearers. Of course, only a small number of prescription glasses have this. (Prism ) tells you the prism power required to correct eye alignment problems. The number 90 corresponds to the vertical meridian of the eye, and the number 180 corresponds to the horizontal meridian. Use a number between 1 and 180 to define the axis. This value follows the cylinder degree and starts with "x" when writing freehand. This number indicates the angle of a lens that should not have cylindrical power to correct your astigmatism. If you have astigmatism, the axis number will also be included.
Does pupil distance matter for glasses plus#
If there is nothing in this column, the astigmatism you need to correct is small or not. The numbers in the column can be preceded by a minus sign (used to correct for myopic astigmatism) or plus sign (used for hyperopic astigmatism). It is usually written in quarter diopter (0.25) increments.Ĭylinder (CYL). If it has a plus sign (+), it means you are farsighted (presbyopia). For single vision prescriptions, if the number displayed under this heading has a minus sign (-), it means you are nearsighted. The numbers in this section can correct myopia and hyperopia. Your prescription for glasses also contains other terms and abbreviations. Ophthalmologists write prescriptions in this way because when they face you, they will habitually start recording from the direction of their left hand to the right hand, which is corresponds to your right eye first, and then to the left eye. In your prescription for glasses, the right eye (OD) information precedes the left eye (OS) information. This is the abbreviation of the Latin "oculus uterque", which means " both eyes".Īlthough these abbreviated Latin words are often used in prescriptions for glasses, contact lenses and ophthalmic drugs, some doctors and clinics have chosen to use modern prescription glasses and use RE (right eye) and LE (left eye) instead of OD and OS. There may also be a column labeled "OU" in your prescription for glasses. The first step in understanding the prescription of glasses is to understand the meaning of "OD" and "OS", which are the abbreviations of "oculus dexter" and "oculus sinister", and are Latin for "right eye" and "left eye".
Does pupil distance matter for glasses how to#
What do these mean? This article will help you to read and understand the prescription of glasses so that you can avoid misrepresentation when buying new glasses online, and it can also be effective in discussing with the optician. So, I have made a simple guide on how to read prescriptions for glasses, let’s find out now! The meaning of OD and OS What do all these numbers on the prescription for glasses mean? Those abbreviations on the prescription of glasses, such as OD, OS, SPH, CYL, Axis, Prism, PD and ADD. Although you may know the condition of your eyesight, it is quite another matter to determine this from the prescription.

He or she may mention that you are near-sighted or far-sighted, or that you have astigmatism. Knowing how to read glasses prescription is essential! If, you just had an eye exam and your ophthalmologist gave you a prescription for glasses.
