PRESCRIPTION GUIDE
How to read your prescription.
Five abbreviations do most of the work. Here is what each one means, and what we need from you before we glaze a pair.
| EYE | SPH | CYL | AXIS | ADD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OD (right) | −2.00 | −0.75 | 180 | +1.50 |
| OS (left) | −1.75 | −0.50 | 175 | +1.50 |
WHAT THE COLUMNS MEAN
- SPH SPHERE
The main strength of the correction. A minus value means short-sighted, a plus value means long-sighted.
- CYL CYLINDER
Correction for astigmatism, where the eye focuses unevenly. Often blank if you do not need it.
- AXIS
The angle, from 1 to 180 degrees, at which the cylinder correction sits. Only present when CYL is.
- ADD ADDITION
Extra reading strength added at the bottom of the lens. This is what makes a lens progressive or bifocal.
- PD PUPILLARY DISTANCE
The distance between the centres of your pupils in millimetres. It centres the lens correctly in the frame.
SENDING IT TO US
A clear picture
A phone photograph of the printed prescription is fine, as long as every number and the date are readable.
Still current
Prescriptions carry a validity period set by your optometrist. If yours has expired, have your eyes tested again before ordering.
Include the PD
If your prescription does not list a PD, ask your optometrist. Without it we cannot centre the lenses accurately.
This guide explains how to read a prescription that has already been issued to you. It is not an eye test and does not replace advice from a qualified optometrist — please have your eyes examined before ordering prescription lenses.
Send us your prescription.
Attach it to a message with the frame you like and we will confirm the lens options and the price.