How to read an eyeglass prescription?

You've just had your eye exam and the optometrist or ophthalmologist has given you a prescription for glasses. He or she probably told you that you were nearsighted or farsighted, or that you might have astigmatism.

But what do all those numbers on your eyeglass prescription mean? What do the abbreviations R.E, L.E, SPH and CYL mean?

This article will help you decipher all the elements of the prescription and help you speak more knowledgeably with your eye care professional when shopping for glasses.

 

 

Single Vision Prescription

If your prescription looks like the example below, please select the 'Single Vision' option first, then enter the correct details as shown.

 

In this example, your prescription would be something like this

 

Progressive Prescription

If your prescription is similar to any of the examples below, please follow the instructions to enter the correct information.
(Note: Although the prescription does not include a PD value, you still need to enter your PD. Need help measuring your PD?)

  • Sample 1: Simply enter the values as shown.

  • Sample 2: Convert the numbers to the correct format before entering them. For example, change +225 to +2.25, -150 to -1.50, -125 to -1.25, and -50 to -0.50.

  • Sample 3: Calculate the ADD value by subtracting the distance prescription from the near prescription. For example:
    Near O.D. +0.75 – Distance O.D. -1.50 = ADD +2.25
    Near O.S. +1.00 – Distance O.S. -1.25 = ADD +2.25
    Enter this ADD value in the appropriate field.

Note: All three prescriptions result in the same prescription lenses.

 

In this example, your prescription would be something like this

 

Reading Prescription

If your prescription is similar to any of the examples below, please enter the information as shown in the sample.
(Note: Although the prescription does not include a PD value, you are still required to enter your PD.


In this example, your prescription would be something like this

 

 

 

Other Information You Might Use When Filling In Prescription

OD stands for "oculus dexter", which refers to the right eye.
OS stands for "oculus sinister", which refers to the left eye.

If your prescription includes PL (Plano) or DS, it means the value should be entered as 0.

  • PL (Plano) indicates there is no spherical correction needed for that eye.

  • DS (Diopter Sphere) means there is no astigmatism correction for that eye.

Please enter your prescription details as shown in the example below.
Note: Your prescription may not include a PD (pupillary distance) value, but you still need to enter your PD measurement.

Need help measuring your PD?


In this example, your prescription would be something like this