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Understanding your prescription
Understanding your prescription is much easier than you think and here we will explain how you do this.
Each prescription has a left and right value for the correction of your vision within the fields known as 'SPH', 'CYL' and 'AXI'.
SPH (sphere)
This is the correction for long or short sight and can be shown as a '+' or '-' value. These values go up in 0.25 steps, e.g. 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 etc. For example, your prescription may show -0.25 in this field.
CYL (cylinder)
This details the correction for any astigmatism. It can be a '+' or '-' value and goes up in 0.25 steps, e.g. 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 etc. If DS (dioptre sphere) appears under the 'CYL' field, this indicates that there is no 'CYL' value.
AXI (axis)
The axis for which any astigmatism correction needs to be set at. This will only be present if you have a value in the 'CYL' field and will range in value from 0 to 180.
ADD (addition)
This is only required for varifocals and bifocals and is an additional power to your distance prescription on the same lens. This will be shown as a '+' value. Note that 'NEAR' means the same as 'ADD'.
PD (pupilary distance)
Your prescription may also include your PD, this being the distance between the centre of one pupil to the centre of the other pupil measured in millimeters. This is usually written as one value, i.e. 60mm but can also be shown as two values if one eye is further away from the centre of the nose than the other one, for example 32/33.
Presently some opticians prefer not to provide you with this information as this generally means that you would be able to purchase your glasses elsewhere. Please do not worry, simply ask your optician if they would provide this information for you (although they are not presently under any legal obligation to do so). See below our instructions for how to obtain your own PD value.
Important notes
- Please note that opticians usually write the '-' sign above the value and the '+' sign next to the value.
- It is very important when entering your prescription to ensure that the '-' or '+' is entered correctly as this indicates long or short sightedness.
- The terms PLANO & INFINITY, or values of zero, all mean that no correction is required and that the sight is presently in good health.
How to obtain your own Pupilary Distance
You have two means of arriving at this measurement:
1. Take the measurement yourself.
You will need a ruler and a mirror!
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Stand in front of a mirror at a distance of 8 inches (20 cm).
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Close your right eye.
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Place your ruler flat against the mirror with the millimeter scale pointing upwards and align it horizontally.
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Look with your left eye and align the zero mark of the ruler to the centre of your left pupil.
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Now open your right eye and close your left eye but keep the ruler in the same position, and keep your head perfectly still.
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Read the millimeter measurement above the centre of your right pupil. This will give you your PD measurement!
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If you are unsure, repeat this process a few times, or ask a friend to help you.
2. Ask a friend for help.
You will need your current pair of glasses, a ruler and a NON PERMANENT marker pen.
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Put your glasses on and look straight ahead.
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Ask your friend to stand in front of you and mark on your glasses directly above your left and right pupils.
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Now take a ruler and measure the distance in millimeters between the two dots. There, you have your PD measurement!