Eye Prescription Meaning – Chart, and Key Terms Explained
Are you looking for your eye prescription meaning? After an eye exam, it’s common to feel confused by all the numbers, symbols, and terms on your prescription, like axis, OD, OS, SPH, CYL, and PD. Many people search for the meaning of their eye prescription to understand exactly what their results mean. This guide will help you understand your own prescription.
What Is an Eye Prescription?
An eye prescription is a piece of paper your eye doctor gives you after your eye exam. It tells you the lens power needed for each eye so you can see clearly. Your eye prescription meaning is simple: it’s a guide for making glasses or contact lenses that fit your eyes perfectly.
If you have blurry vision, headaches, or trouble seeing at certain distances, your doctor will write a prescription to correct these problems. Understanding the meaning of your eyeglass prescription is important for your eye health.
Check out this guide for all other pharmacy rescription abbreviations
Eye Prescription Meanings in Chart
Your eye prescription chart is a table that lists all the numbers and terms your doctor measured. This is what a typical eye prescription chart might look like:
| Eye | SPH | CYL | Axis | ADD | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OD | -2.00 | -1.00 | 180 | +2.00 | 62 |
| OS | -1.50 | -0.50 | 170 | +2.00 | 62 |
- OD means your right eye.
- OS means your left eye.
- OU (sometimes written) means both eyes.
- SPH (Sphere): Tells if you are nearsighted or farsighted, and by how much.
- CYL (Cylinder): Shows if you have astigmatism, which is a common problem where your eye is not perfectly round.
- Axis: Explains the angle for correcting astigmatism. It ranges from 1 to 180 degrees.
- ADD: Extra power for reading, usually for people who need bifocals or multifocals.
- PD (Pupillary Distance): The distance in millimeters between your pupils. This helps center your lenses.
Sample eye prescription chart meaning:
If you see “-2.00” under SPH, it means you need minus two diopters of correction for nearsightedness.
If you see “+2.00” under ADD, it means you need extra power for reading.
What Do the Key Eye Prescription Means?
OD and OS Meaning
- OD: Stands for “Oculus Dexter,” which means right eye.
- OS: Stands for “Oculus Sinister,” which means left eye.
- OU: Means both eyes.
SPH, CYL, and Axis Meaning
- SPH (Sphere): This number shows if you’re nearsighted (minus sign) or farsighted (plus sign) and by how much.
- CYL (Cylinder): This tells you if you have astigmatism and how strong the correction should be.
- Axis: The axis in eye prescription is the direction (in degrees) where astigmatism correction is needed.
Example:
If your eye prescription says SPH: -2.50, CYL: -1.00, Axis: 90, you are nearsighted with astigmatism, and the cylinder correction is set at 90 degrees.
Other Terms in Your Eye Prescription
- PD (Pupillary Distance): Important for getting glasses that fit well. If your PD is not correct, your lenses may not help you see clearly.
- ADD: Extra magnification for close work or reading.
- Prism: Used if your eyes need help working together.
- Plano: Means zero correction (for that part of the prescription).
- DS: Diopters Sphere, meaning no cylinder correction needed.
- DIA: Diameter, usually for contact lenses.
Eye Prescription Chart Examples
| Eye | SPH | CYL | Axis | ADD | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OD | -1.75 | -0.50 | 165 | +2.25 | 60 |
| OS | -1.25 | -1.00 | 180 | +2.25 | 60 |
| Eye | SPH | CYL | Axis | ADD | Prism | PD | DIA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OD | -3.00 | -0.75 | 90 | +1.50 | 0.5 | 64 | 14.2 |
| OS | -2.50 | -0.50 | 80 | +1.50 | 0.5 | 64 | 14.2 |
Tips for Using Your Eye Prescription
- Always double-check your prescription numbers before ordering glasses online.
- Ask your eye doctor if you do not understand any part of your prescription.
- Remember, a glasses prescription is not the same as a contact lens prescription.
What does axis mean in eye prescription? The axis is the angle for correcting astigmatism.
What is eye prescription chart meaning? It is a table showing all your vision correction needs.
What does my eye prescription mean calculator? Some websites can help you understand your numbers.
What does eye prescription meaning PD? PD is your pupillary distance.
What does sphere mean on a eye prescription? It is the main number for vision correction.
Eye prescription meaning 20 20: 20/20 is perfect vision, not a prescription number, but a measure of how well you see.
Eye prescription card: Sometimes your prescription is printed on a small card to carry with you.
Understanding your eye prescription chart and what each term means is key for good vision. Whether you are ordering glasses or just curious, knowing the meaning of SPH, CYL, axis, OD, OS, and PD can help you feel confident about your eye care. Always ask your eye doctor if you have questions, and keep your prescription handy for your next pair of glasses.
