How to read your glasses prescription?
- Author Radhika Rao
- Published February 5, 2010
- Word count 412
How to read your glasses prescription?
With the growing popularity of prescription glasses, the demand for trendy, beneficial and cheap online glasses is on an upward slope. But it all starts here: how to read your prescription?
The prescriptions use a standard format and a set of abbreviations, so that they can be interpreted internationally. An eyeglass prescription will look like this:
OD: -2.50 – 0.50 x 180
OS: + 1.00 DS
ADD: + 1.75 OU
Latin Letters:
The letters OD stand for "oculus dexter" and refer to the right eye, OS stand for "oculus sinister" and indicate the left eye and OU stand for "oculi uterque" and refer to both eyes.
Understanding Numbers:
A correct choice of prescription glasses is the result of correct understanding of the numbers in the prescriptions. As it is, prescriptions do have a lot of numbers.
The first number in our example is – 2.50. This is the "sphere" part of the prescription dealing with the "nearsightedness" (or myopia, an eye problem that causes distant objects look blurry) or "farsightedness" (also called hyperopia, which causes difficulty to clearly see the objects which are near). A minus sign (-) indicates negative powered lens to cure nearsightedness and a plus sign (+) indicates positive powered lens to correct farsightedness.
The next number is -0.50. This number represents the "cylinder" part of the prescription, also called astigmatism referring to the difference in curvature and power between two points on the eye, separated by 90 degrees. The minus sign denotes the presence of astigmatism.
The next number is x180, which is read as "axis 180". It indicates the angle in degrees, ranging from 0 to 180 denoting the position of the most positive meridian in an eye that has astigmatism.
For left eye, the number is +1.00 followed by DS (diopters sphere) which means that the left eye is without astigmatism and the left cornea’s shape is close to perfectly round compared to the right eye cornea’s slightly oblong shape.
Lastly, the ADD number +1.75 means the power that needs to be added to distance prescription so that a person has clear visibility at a close range.
Calculations:
To find out the total power needed, a small addition needs to be done. In the example above, for right eye, the prescription will be (-2.50 + 1.75) – 0.50 x 180 or -0.75 – 0.50 x 180 and for the right eye, +1.75 +1.00 = 2.75 DS.
Though it may look confusing at first, with practice and patience, a proper understanding of the prescription can be gained, which can prove really beneficial while looking for glasses online.
The author Radhika is one of the lab experts at EyeExperts, an online spectacles company that provides prescription glasses, designer frames and sunglasses. The author is an experienced optometrist and has vast experience in the eye wear industry.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- 3 Ways Your Smile Can Help Your Career
- Top 5 Anti-Aging Skincare Ingredients That Work
- Read About The Faqs Of Careprost!
- Careprost Vs Latisse: Which Lash Enhancer Reigns Supreme?
- Get Rid of Puffy Eyes and Dark Circles Naturally
- The Top 5 Anti-Aging Ingredients That Actually Work For Your Skin
- Bridal Glow-Up: Tanning Tips and Services for Hills District Brides
- The Ultimate Guide to Eyelash Extension Care: Tips for Long-Lasting Lashes
- The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Eyelash Extensions for Your Eye Shape
- Mobile vs. Salon Tanning: Which is Right for You?
- 6 Non-Cosmetic Benefits of Invisalign
- Align Your Outer Appearance With Your Inner Identity
- Are Medspas The Walmarts Of Esthetic Medicine?
- Improve The Personality Implied by Your Face
- Is Face serum beneficial and why you should include it in your daily routine?
- Costco Has the Secret to Stronger Nails and Shinier Hair—Discover It Now!
- Achieving Natural-Looking Lip Fillers: Tips for the Perfect Pout
- Celeb Hairstylist Reveals 5 Must-Try Tips for Healthy Hair
- The Power of Superfoods - Boosting Longevity and Nutrition
- How to Twist Natural Hair for Beginners
- Best Cosmetic Packaging Supplier from China - UKPACK
- Feminine Products for Breast, Libido, Bladder, and Skin Health
- Create your own unique shade of beauty with Custom Eyeshadow Palette
- Unveiling Aveli: The Revolutionary Cellulite Reduction Treatment Taking NYC by Storm
- "Your Beauty Tips" - Simple Advice for a Radiant You
- "Homemade Skin Cosmetics: Natural Recipes for Radiant Skin"
- The Science behind Careprost: Understanding its mechanism of action
- Revitalize Your Body with MedSpa and IV Therapy in Scottsdale, Arizona
- Why Regular Dental Check-ups Are So Important
- The Science Behind Body Sculpting: How Cavitation Works