How To Find My Contact Prescription

Updated on February 18, 2022. Reviewed by Chris Day (Optician) and Dr. Justin Asgarpour (Optometrist).

Looking for an easy caption on how to read your spectacles or contact lens prescription? You're in the right place.

We'll help you understand what your eye care professional means by all those numbers and letters on your prescription, so you can enter these details with confidence when you shop for eyewear online.

At that place's i key thing to call back almost glasses and contact lens prescriptions: the measurements are different.

A glasses prescription is intended for the purchase of glasses merely – it does not include data that is required in a contact lens prescription. If yous wear contacts, you'll need a prescription specifically for contacts. (More on that later)

Read on to larn everything you demand to know about how to read glasses and contact lens prescriptions before shopping for eyewear.

Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions: FAQ

Let's offset with some of our most ofttimes asked questions about spectacles and contact lens prescriptions. Follow our guide to find the answers on how to read glasses prescriptions:

What exercise the numbers on my prescription mean?
How do I read my glasses prescription?
What is the difference between progressive, bifocal and unmarried vision glasses?
How exercise I read contact lens prescription?
What are the key differences betwixt a glasses and contact lens prescription?

The following tips volition help you decipher and understand your eyewear prescriptions. If you go stuck, get in touch on with our Customer Service team. We'll be happy to contact your Eye Care Provider to verify your prescription for yous.

What do the numbers on my prescription hateful?

Your prescription may include the post-obit: SPH, CYL, Axis, Add and Pupillary Distance (PD). Glasses Prescription Sample

The showtime four parameters have to practise with your visual correction. PD is a crucial measurement we need to make your glasses.

Hither'south the meaning backside each of these letters and numbers on your spectacles prescription:

1. OD "oculus dexter" indicates your right center's parameters.

ii. OS "oculus sinister" shows your left heart's parameters.

3. SPH "sphere" indicates the corporeality of lens power prescribed for nearsighted or farsighted vision. It is measured in diopter and uses (+) for farsightedness (hyperopia) and (-) for nearsightedness (myopia).

four. CYL & Axis: a Cylinder (CYL) and Centrality number (between 0 and 180 degrees) are required to right Astigmatism. Both parameters volition exist required together.

5. Add together: provides magnifying power for reading, bifocal, multifocal and progressive lenses. You will virtually likely have the aforementioned number for both eyes that usually ranges betwixt +0.75 and +iii.00. Occasionally, lower add together powers than +0.75 can be found on a prescription. These are for Anti-Fatigue lenses such equally our SightRelax lenses.

There is a carve up prescription for your right heart and your left heart. Most of the fourth dimension, OD and Bone are indicated on the left of your prescription and the following numbers prove each centre'south specific needs. Some glasses prescriptions as well include additional numbers such equally:

6. Prism: measured in prismatic diopter (p.d.). It is required when centre alignment needs assistance. It is indicated as follows:

- BO (base out)
- BU (base up)
- BI (base of operations in)
- BD (Base-down)

Each one of these indicators provide information about the base direction or the thickest border of the prism. Littoral does not offer prism prescription spectacles.

In add-on to the general parameters, eyeglass prescriptions can require a Pupillary Distance (PD). Your PD is the distance between the center of one pupil (the central black dot of your middle) to the center of the other pupil. Information technology is measured in millimeters and is an important office of your prescription.

PD indicates where the optical center of your lenses should be placed, so you can accept the best, well-nigh comfortable vision. It is more often than not mentioned in your eyeglasses' prescription with the messages 'PD'. If yous can't see it, you can learn how to measure out your pupillary distance.

How do I read my glasses prescription?

Once you understand the sections of your glasses prescription, you'll be able to figure out what all those numbers hateful.

If y'all run into a – , it indicates nearsightedness. If you see a +, it indicated farsightedness. If you find an 'Add' ability, it means y'all require magnifying lenses, such as progressives.

When you're buying glasses online, all you need to do is make sure the numbers on your prescription match the numbers in the prescription field on your screen.

In the sample below, the right eye is prescribed -2.50 sphere to correct nearsighted vision. This middle needs a cylinder of -0.75 and an axis of 173 to correct astigmatism, and an Add power of +two.25 to correct near vision. The Add together value is usually nowadays in a multifocal prescription.

The left heart is prescribed with a sphere of -three.00 to correct nearsighted. This eye needs a cylinder of -1.00 and 004 to correct astigmatism, and an Add together power of +2.25 to right near vision. Without the Add together value, it is a single vision prescription.

This is the correct way to include the numbers on our website for spectacles:

How to enter your prescription

What is the departure between progressive, bifocal and unmarried vision glasses?

The differences betwixt each type of glasses are non always clear. To understand how to correctly read a prescriptions for glasses, hither is an overview of the chief categories of lenses that can be written on your prescription.

i. Single vision lenses: a large majority of glasses come with single vision correction. This common type of lens is generally used to right nearsightedness, farsightedness or used as reading glasses.

2. Bifocal lenses: these glasses come with two vision corrections. Ane is on the lower function of the lens to help yous read or meet from near, and the other on the upper function includes a distance prescription.

3. Progressive lenses: multifocal lenses offer multiple corrections in one pair. These prescriptions have a no-line lens and offer intermediate distance vision, which can be adapted for certain specific uses, such every bit computer work.

Special features on my prescription

You may also find additional data on your glasses prescription such as the proposition of sure types of lens coating and special comments from your optometrist.

1. Lens designs on a prescription indicate your eyesight requirement, detailing the lens' design and role (unmarried, progressive, bifocals…). Occasionally, you'll run into a specific brand of progressive or single vision lens written on the prescription itself. This is virtually oft a recommendation based on a brand the medico's office carries. If you have questions about annihilation on your prescription, feel free to give a call to our customer service squad.

two. Vision enhancement: a special treatment for 1 or both lenses used to improve vision and clarity through your glasses. You could notice different options such equally:

a. Anti-cogitating blanket: enhances clarity and concentration past allowing more light to come in and reduces reflection.

b. UV protection: to prevent your eyes from being damaged by the sun's UVs, your lenses can come up with special anti-UV treatment.

c. Transitions: these lenses are equipped with a engineering science that adjusts your glasses' tint according to the lite. When the sunday comes up, your glasses turn into sunglasses!

d. Polarized: improved drinking glass technology designed to filter and reduce glare. Polarized lenses offer more than clarity and a sharper vision to their wearers.

due east. Clip-on glasses: additional lenses that can exist adapted on meridian of your prescription spectacles. They can be polarized and come in various formats..

f. Blue light blocking glasses: a special blanket that protects your eyes from artificial low-cal by reflecting bluish lights that come from digital devices. Littoral'due south blue light glasses are likewise scratch-resistant and anti-glare to offer you lot articulate and sharp vision.

Remember: glasses and contact lens prescriptions are dissimilar.

If you lot want to purchase contact lenses, you'll need a specific prescription from your eye care professional. In addition to the general parameters that we've mentioned, a contact lens prescription will include a Base Curve and a Diameter.

The differences: Base curve (BC) and diameter (DIA)

If you lot're not sure whether you have an eyeglass or contact lens prescription, verify whether your prescription includes:

ane. Base Curve (BC): the number that indicates your contact lens' shape. Co-ordinate to the steepness or flatness of your cornea, your prescription indicates how large your contact lens should be.

2. Diameter (DIA): a number indicating your contacts' length to make sure they'll cover your cornea properly.

3. Brand: your heart doctor will determine the advisable brand and type of contact lenses for yous, according to your preferences and specific requirements.

4. Expiration date: your center care professional will determine an expiry date for your prescription. By that date, yous'll crave a new prescription for contact lenses. These are generally ready annually.

5. Cosmetic power: these are the numbers associated with the actual ability needed in your lenses. These numbers frequently change (or disappear) betwixt your glasses prescription and your contact lens prescription, especially with college powers.

If you detect the information displayed above on your prescription, you have a contact lens prescription.

Both the Base Bend (BC) and Diameter (DIA) of a contact lens ensures a proper fit on your cornea and full eye surface. Those features ensure comfort and encourage eye health, including allowing proper oxygen to the centre. You lot'll also demand this data if y'all want to club contact lenses online.

Contact Lenses Prescription Sample

Exercise you take a valid center prescription and are ready to shop?

Now that you empathise how your eye prescription works, y'all tin larn how to purchase glasses online at Coastal.

Pick a pair of frames online and enter your prescription details. You'll before long exist rocking a pair of glasses that look great and make everything effectually you await bang-up as well. Click to browse our collection of stylish and affordable glasses.

Fancy getting contact lens delivered straight to your door? Click to check out our wide selection of contact lenses.

Have more than questions? We take various other ways to help you read your eye prescription. Contact us by e-mail, live chat or telephone.

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