The 'addition' is only required if the glasses are going to be used for reading or close work. The axis is the astigmatism orientation. Please try again. Axis refers to the lens meridian with no cylindrical power to correct astigmatism. to Fri (9am - 5pm) Drooping eyelids: The causes and treatment of ptosis, Hyphema: Facts about internal eye bleeding, Eye discharge: Sleep, or rheum in your eyes, How to get rid of a stye with treatment at home, Eye allergies: Itchy, red and watery eyes, Blepharitis: Causes, symptoms and treatment, Eye infections: Causes, symptoms and treatment, 7 eye stye facts: Causes, symptoms, treatment, Blue light: How its both bad and good for your eyes. (See Different ways in which a prescription can be displayed below). Sphere means the spherical correction where the meridians of the human eye are equal. This number is followed by the base direction, or thickest edge, of the prism. This means your lenses will be shaped to improve your distance vision. This indicates the amount of lens power, measured in diopters (D), prescribed to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. The information provided on VisionCenter.org should not be used in place of actual information provided by a doctor or a specialist. What does Axis mean for glasses? What does "SPH" appearing under Cylinder on my prescription mean? And what about all those abbreviated terms, such as OD, OS, SPH and CYL? Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. If the optometrist wrote "DS" or "Sph" or "Spherical" in the Cylinder space, it indicates no correction and should be entered as 0 on the order form. Typical SPH numbers range between 0.00 and +/- 20.00. When you hold the prescription, have you ever been curious to know what the number and letters mean for your eyesight? Sphere means the spherical correction where the meridians of the human eye are equal. If you dont know whether you need a pair of glasses, the post How to Know If You Need Glasses? See, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. EyeBuyDirect has a wide variety of budget frames starting at $6. A glasses prescription can be displayed in a number of ways. This correction is often used for computer (VDU) operation. Impact resistance and prescription compliance with AS/NZS 1337.6:2010. You can measure your current frame from screw to screw, which is already a perfect fit for you . Or, are the sphere & axis values so small they can be dropped off? What face shape best suits cat eye glasses? These will usually be specific types of corrective lens recommendations such as multifocal lenses, progressives, anti-reflective coating, photochromatic, or transition lenses. This is the amount of prismatic power, measured in prism diopters ("p.d." When the shape of the human eye cornea changes, the large changes in the measurement of the axis is seen though, this is rare. If you are trying to reach us outside of these hours please email us at [emailprotected] and we will respond the next working day. For example: "+2.25 ADD" or "Add +2.25". The images below show the same prescription information in two different formats. 'Add' +2.50 - should be entered for both eyes). All transactions are secured with the latest SSL technology, verified by Amazon. The BASE value will be displayed as BU or UP (Base UP), BD or DOWN (Base DOWN), BI or IN (Base IN) or BO or OUT (Base OUT). What is CYL, AXIS and SPH? If you see the "sph" in the "cyl" box . On the prescription of eyeglasses, the cylinder typically follows the sphere power. This measurement is important as it explains at what distance your lenses should sit from your eyes. The PD/Pupillary Distance is generally measured during a sight test, but is not routinely written on a prescription, you can ask for this from your Opticians, or ask them to add it to your prescription when you are tested. Eyeglass prescriptions may have several components, including sphere, cylinder, and axis. If you have an astigmatism, you will also have a corresponding "AXIS" value (see below).When no astigmatism correction is required the optician will leave the box blank. This stands for cylinder, and it refers to the strength of the lenses needed to correct your astigmatism. The three columns (from left to right) refer to Sphere (SPH), Cylinder (CYL) and Axis. Sphere is basically a measure of how strong your prescription needs to be. Colour blindness test: Do you see colours correctly? What does SPH DS mean? The axis value is often preceded by an x when written in freehand. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Below is a standard NHS prescription that has been written as two full lines of prescription: You can edit the form by clicking the link Need Help? Sphere (SPH) - The expression "sphere" means that the remedy for astigmatism or farsightedness is round, equivalent in all meridians of the eye. If the number appearing under this heading has a minus sign (-), you . The term sphere refers to the fact that distance vision correction is spherical, or equal in all meridians of the eye. Your prescription may have a base column, or it may be included in the same column as prism this gives further information about the required prism correction, telling us the orientation needed in the lens. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. These links allow you to toggle the form so that it appears the same as the hard copy of your prescription (see image below). The AXIS, in degrees, is a number between 0 and 180. This format is less common in the US. Our entire range of prescription glasses for Women. However, many opticians will simply write the value somewhere under, or next to, the distance values. That way, your eyes are looking through the best point on each lens, some prescriptions may have the PD/Pupillary Distance listed for each eye respectively, for example RE: 32 LE: 32, you would enter 64mm from our list. The measurement is the Dioptre, and most values range from +0.50 to +3.50 and will go up in steps of 0.25. What does sphere cylinder and axis mean? Eye doctors write prescriptions this way because when they come face to face with you, they see your right eye on their left (first) and your left eye on their right (second). It indicates the amount of lens power needed to correct astigmatism, measured in diopters. The sphere is measured in Dioptres, your prescription may have the word Plano or Pl or an infinity sign, this means that you are neither long nor short sighted but zero power for the Sphere, however you may have astigmatism a CYL and AXIS on your prescription. The Axis in your prescription is usually measured from 1 to 180. Thats where your new prescription from your optometrist or ophthalmologist comes in. Sphere, sometimes abbreviated as SPH, indicates the amount of lens power needed to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. Specific parts of Rx: To expand on dr. Proffitt's answer, sph = sphere; if this is a negative number, the prescription is a myopic or nearsighted prescription and a positive number dictates a farsighted or hyperopic prescription. The Zenni Optical website says I need that bit, but all it let's you input are positive or negative numbers, I can't write in SPH even if I knew what it mean. It is the distance from the centre of one pupil to the centre of the other pupil measured in mm (ranges from 50 to 70mm). If the number is negative (), it means it is correcting nearsightedness. 6. +4.50 -1.50 x90. To convert a multi-focal prescription for single vision reading glasses, simply combine the Add number and the Spherical number. This just means the eye has difficulty focusing at certain angles. Do a "deep search" instead. The AXIS is only present if there is a value in the CYL box, the AXIS tells us where the astigmatism is on your eye. Msg frequency may vary. The number under the add column tells us the 2nd lens prescription needed for multifocal lenses. Your prescription gives us, your Opticians or Doctors recommendation for clear and comfortable vision. Traditional eyeglasses are usually single vision lenses with one pre Metal frames are suitable for wearing. Liingo Eyewear is another great option to buy glasses online. This is the most common format with clearly printed fields for OD, OS, SPH, CYL, etc. Tap on the prescription form to find out what all those number and abbreviations mean, By proceeding to the site or clicking Accept All Cookies, you consent to such use. The Sphere is also used to correct the nearsightedness or farsightedness. This number shows the angle of the lens that shouldnt feature a cylinder power to correct your astigmatism. If this column is blank, it means you dont have an astigmatism. BO=Base Out, BI=Base In, BU=Base Up, and BD (or BDn)=Base Down. OS -1.00 -0.50 x 180 +2.00 add 0.5 p.d. On the other hand, in the farsightedness, the person can see those objects clearly which are far but near object seems blurry. A minus sign () means it's correcting nearsighted astigmatism, while plus sign(+) means it's correcting farsighted astigmatism. In the right eye, the prism is base down (BD); in the left eye, it's base up (BU). How to Measure Your PD with A Regular Ruler. You must be logged in to manage your wishlist. Kids' glasses and frames: A guide to fun children's eyewear. In the context of an eye prescription. If the SPH value is 0.00, or noted by Plano, Pl, or an infinity sign, you do not have a vision distance problem. (Some doctors will add "DS" for "diopters sphere;" others will leave this area blank.). Unlike typical Rx formats, with values going from left to right, the vertical Rx values are listed top to bottom. ODstands for oculus dexter, the Latin term for right eye., OS is your left eye. i'm considering online since I need 1.74 hi-index and that can run expensive even in online stores, and a lot of local shops around me only offer up to 1.67. why isn't online a good idea? This value is the amount to add on to the distance SPH values to ascertain what the full Near prescription should be. Most online retailers ask you to read and input your prescription into their order form, but if you dont know how to read your prescription, that process can get complicated. On any prescription, PD can be written in different ways: e.g., 62 (Single PD), 33/31 (Dual PD), or 62/60 (Distance PD/Near PD). Standard msg & data rates may apply. A minus (-) symbol next to this number means youre nearsighted, and a plus (+) symbol means the prescription is meant to correct farsightedness. Inter, refers to intermediate, this is the prescription required to correct intermediate vision, and may appear in full, or as an additional power (ADD) to the distance. This correction is often used for reading, sewing and any detailed close work. Only a small percentage of eyeglass prescriptions include prism. It's considered a mild amount of nearsightedness. CYL (Cylinder)CYL is a + or - value in 0.25 steps and is required to correct your astigmatism. Common abbreviations that appear on your prescription. CYL is good to know because it tells how light refracts on the eyes retina. What face shape best suits round glasses? They may only write it once, but it normally applies to both eyes and is almost always the same value for both eyes (e.g. What is a contact lens eye exam and fitting? If the glasses help to improve the vision, then the person is not legally blind. Keep your prescription up to date so these numbers can accurately reflect your visual needs. How Do You Keep Your Glasses From Fogging Up With A Ski Mask? Free Express Shipping and 30-Day Returns Worldwide. What does SPH mean for glasses? OS is an abbreviation of the Latin oculus sinister which means left eye. This extra power will ALWAYS be the same for each eye and may only appear once on your prescription but it is understood to be meant for both eyes. On the off chance that the number showing up under this heading has a short sign . Warby Parker has stylish, high-quality frames at affordable prices. The number marked 'axis' describes the orientation of astigmatism. Our entire range of womens prescription designer glasses. The second prescription shows the patients complete distance prescription for the right and left eye followed by a reading addition value of +2.25. Sphere, sometimes abbreviated as SPH, indicates the amount of lens power needed to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. Free Gifts with Purchases Over $100 | Learn More. In the eye prescription, there are some important elements you need to know including Sphere, Cylinder, and Axis. Best way to buy glasses: Online or in person? OSstands for oculus sinister, Latin for left eye.. What is SPH in a Glasses Prescription? Contact us, Mon. Our entire range of womens glasses suitable for varifocal lenses. For more information, please see our. As you can see in the first example (Standard GOS 2 Glasses Prescription) the optician has listed the patient's complete distance prescription on the top row and the complete near prescription in the bottom row. Add is the added magnifying power applied to the bottom part ofmultifocal lensesto correctpresbyopia. Our entire range of prescription glasses for Men. Your eyeglass prescription also may have a column labeled "OU." Different ways a prescription can be displayed.Common abbreviations that appear on your prescription. This number always has a (+) sign. This is the most common format with clearly printed fields for OD, OS, SPH, CYL, etc. The cyl power has its axis at the 180 meridian, meaning the horizontal (180-degree) meridian of the eye has no added power for astigmatism and the vertical (90-degree) meridian gets the added -0.50 D. Both eyes are being prescribed an "add power" of +2.00 D for the correction of presbyopia, and this eyeglass prescription includes a prismatic correction of 0.5 prism diopter in each eye. A nearsighted prescription will feature a number with a minus (-) symbol in the sphere box. If not, keep on your reading and you will find the full explanations in the following part. While you likely know whether youre nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism, determining that from your prescription slip is another thing entirely. Sphere refers to the power of your lens (measured in dioptre units) to correct the degree of short or long sight you have. The first thing to understand your eyeglass prescription is knowing what "OD" and OS" means. SPH is the abbreviation for the word sphere. The number marked axis describes the orientation of astigmatism. Usually your lenses will be positioned around 10-12mm from your eyes, however this will vary from person to person. The higher the number on your prescription, the stronger your prescription is. Cylinder: The cylinder (CYL) number indicates the lens power needed to correct astigmatism. This indicates the amount of lens power, measured in diopters (D), prescribed to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. The prism Rx will have two values: PRISM & BASE. CYL is a + or - value in 0.25 steps and is required to correct your astigmatism. Do you know the meaning of the Sphere, Cylinder and Axis? In the second part, we will explain what the Cylinder in glasses is. If this column is blank, it means you have no astigmatism. Sphere (SPH) and Cylinder (CYL) always have a (+) or (-) sign. If you are nearsighted, you will see there is a minus sign(-) next to the Sphere number. By Email or 0330 165 6900, Site Map What face shape best suits browline glasses? Each spectacle lens will have an optical centre, this is a point on the lens where it performs the best and has the least distortion. Our online prescription form initially displays the most common format, Distance with a Near Add. Nowadays, most of us wear glasses and most of us just take the prescription to the optical store to pick out a pair of glasses. The bridge width will make sure your eyewear rest comfortably on the bridge of your nose, measuring the distance from the innermost point on each lens. The 20/20 vision is the correct vision for normal eyes. What if my prescription does not follow the format on your website? This means that the eyeball is spherical and has no oblongedness, and consequently has no Cylinder or Axis values. Most values range from 0.00 to +/- 20.00 and go up in steps of 0.25. When shes not working, Dr. Huang loves reviewing new skin care products, trying interesting food recipes, or hanging with her adopted cats. Axis is the angle in which the cylinder correction should be. Typically, youll see several abbreviations and words labeling all of the important data on your prescription. Let's use an example to understand things better. Designed in Singapore for diverse tastes (and noses). The left eye (OS) is being prescribed -1.00 D sphere for myopia plus -0.50 D cylinder for the correction of astigmatism. This is a common question when the person who consults eye specialists encountered the eye prescription. What Is The Difference Between A Retinal Tear And A Retinal Detachment? Add, Near Add, Reading Addition - These all relate to your reading addition and can be written anywhere on the prescription. This is an important question because this is related to the eyes and gives answers related to different changes in the human eye. The doctor wrote "SPH" in the Cylinder column. This measurement would be your ideal frame width that is the most necessary measurement. What do the values on your prescription mean? However, for complex prescriptions, such as when your SPH or CYL values fall beyond theaverage range, prescription orders can take up to9 days to complete because optical labs will need tomake custom-edgedlenses for you. Cylinder ( CYL) Cylinder indicates the amount of lens power for astigmatism. Prism refers to the amount of prismatic power needed to correct eye alignment problems, measured in prism diopters. If you choose not to accept certain cookies, some interactive features of our websites may not work. A sphero-cylindrical prescription (an Rx) for one eye consists of 3 parts, all written from left to right: [+/-Sphere]. Diopter is the measurement used for the strength of eyeglass lenses. If nothing appears in the Cylinder column, it indicates that you have no astigmatism, or your astigmatism is so light that there is no need to correct it with the eyeglass lenses. The information on this free-form prescription is usually handwritten. BVD - Back Vertex Distance is the distance required from the front of your eye (cornea) to the back surface of the corrective lens. Should I get a second opinion? You can simply select the values that match your prescription. The doctor wrote "SPH" in the Cylinder column. All Rights Reserved. Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales, 2023 If there is no number written under the CYL part, this means you are free from astigmatism and need no eye contact.