Deciphering the Fundamentals of Your Prescription
The world of eyeglass prescriptions can be overwhelming, presenting numerous enigmatic abbreviations and bewildering numerical values that possess the ability to improve your visual powers.
Honestly, it might even seem like magic. But fear not! We have created a concise manual that will help you unlock the secrets of your own unique ocular spell.
1. It is extremely typical (and absolutely ordinary!) for each eye to need specific corrective measures. As a result, it is essential that your prescription clearly specifies which eye is being discussed. The left eye is represented as OS, while the right eye is labeled as OD (derived from the Latin phrases Oculus Sinister and Oculus Dexter).
2. The sphere (SPH) represents the necessary power level for distance or reading glasses. This power is evenly spread throughout the lens and is indicated by a plus or minus sign to denote farsightedness and nearsightedness correspondingly. In case your prescription requires correction for both types of vision problems it will be identified as ADD indicating the added power. Pretty straightforward, wouldn't you agree?
3. For astigmatism, the cylinder (CYL) symbolizes the necessary strength for correction. Each section of the lens is allocated varying degrees of power along a designated AXIS. The numeric value linked to the axis reflects the precise level of rotation needed for optimal distribution of power.
4. The measurement of the pupillary distance (PD) refers to the gap between your pupils. This piece of information is essential in order to properly align the lenses with your eyes.
5. Additionally some prescriptions may also include the power and base direction of a PRISM, which is used to ensure that both eyes work together effectively. The base directions are categorized as base up (BU) base down (BD) base in (BI) and base out (BO).
6. Visual acuity (VA) represents the level of correction provided by your specific eyeglass or contact lens prescription.
Remember, every individual has a unique prescription so if you need detailed information regarding your own eye health it’s crucial to consult with a duly registered eye care professional. Our goal was to demystify some important components within your prescription and we genuinely hope our explanation has been enlightening for you! Do not forget to book your next eye exams.
