Understanding Your Eyeglass Prescription – Made Simple
A Clear Guide by VisionDrishti.com
Have you ever looked at your eyeglass prescription and thought, “What do all these numbers and letters even mean?” You’re not alone!
At VisionDrishti.com, we believe that your vision should be clear—and so should your understanding of what’s on that small but important piece of paper: your eyeglass prescription.
Whether you’re buying glasses for the first time or simply updating your look with new frames, this guide will help you read and understand your prescription with confidence.
📋 What Is an Eyeglass Prescription?
An eyeglass prescription is a document provided by your eye doctor after a comprehensive eye test. It includes the measurements needed to create lenses that correct your vision.
It’s customized to your eyes and includes details like how much correction you need for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or reading vision.
🔍 Breaking Down the Prescription: What Do the Terms Mean?
Your prescription will typically have rows labeled as follows:
Term | Full Form | What It Means |
---|---|---|
OD | Oculus Dexter | Your right eye |
OS | Oculus Sinister | Your left eye |
SPH | Sphere | Indicates nearsightedness (-) or farsightedness (+) |
CYL | Cylinder | Shows the amount of astigmatism (blurred vision) |
AXIS | – | Direction of astigmatism, between 1°–180° |
ADD | Addition | Extra power for reading or multifocal lenses |
PD | Pupillary Distance | The space between your pupils, in millimeters |
.
👁️ Common Vision Conditions Explained
Nearsightedness (Myopia): Can see close objects clearly, but distant ones are blurry. Indicated by a minus (−) in SPH.
Farsightedness (Hyperopia): Can see distant objects better than close ones. Indicated by a plus (+) in SPH.
Astigmatism: Light doesn’t focus evenly on the retina, causing blurry or distorted vision. Corrected with CYL and AXIS values.
Presbyopia: Age-related difficulty in reading small print. Indicated by ADD value (usually for those over 40).
📎 Why PD (Pupillary Distance) Matters
PD ensures your lenses align with the center of your eyes. If it’s off, even a perfect prescription won’t feel right.
At VisionDrishti, you can enter your PD if you know it—or follow our simple guide to measure it at home.
💻 How to Use Your Prescription on VisionDrishti.com
Got your prescription? Here’s what to do next:
Visit www.visiondrishti.com
Choose your favorite eyeglass frame
Upload your prescription or enter it manually
We’ll create lenses tailored to your exact specifications
Sit back and relax—your glasses are on the way!
❓ FAQs
Q. Can I use an old prescription?
A: It’s best to get your eyes tested every 1–2 years. If your prescription is over 2 years old, get it updated.
Q. What if my prescription is only for reading glasses?
A: No problem! Just upload it or select “reading only” while ordering.
Q. I don’t understand my prescription—can you help?
A: Absolutely! Our support team is happy to assist you. Just email us a photo of your prescription.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Understanding your eyeglass prescription helps you make smart choices—and shop with confidence. At VisionDrishti.com, we take that one step further by offering stylish, affordable frames that perfectly match your prescription and your personality.
🛍️ Ready to find your perfect frame?
Explore our full collection at VisionDrishti.com today.
Because clear vision starts with knowledge—and ends with the perfect pair of glasses.