Do you find yourself straining to understand what your eye prescription actually means? Don’t worry; it’s a common feeling! Amidst all the letters, numbers and pluses or minuses, it may appear as though your prescription is some kind of mathematical code.
But allow us to explain in simple terms.
- O.D. stands for right eye (which comes from the Latin phrase)
- O.S. stands for left eye
- O.U. stands for both eyes
- CYL refers to correction of astigmatism (more about that below)
- AXIS specifies the direction in which the astigmatism needs to be corrected
- DV refers to distance vision (things in the distance)
- NV refers to near vision (reading or browsing the internet, among other things)
- ADD refers to additional magnifying power for bifocals/multifocals
Numbers
After O.D. or O.S., you will see a number – that is your sphere power in diopters. This is the power setting of your lenses.
- A minus (-)? Then you are myopic (fuzzy vision at a distance).
- A plus (+), or nothing at all? Then you are hypermetropic (fuzzy vision when looking near).
- More numbers mean more power is needed, irrespective of the sign.
You might also find a number beside CYL, with either a + or - sign. This measures astigmatism, where more means more power needed.
Prescription for Glasses is Not the Same as Contact Lenses
The following piece of information will be quite surprising for many people: prescription for contact lenses differs significantly from that for glasses. The first one is set 12mm away from the eyes, whereas the second one is applied right on your eyeballs.
There are additional details included into your contacts prescription:
- Base Curve – is the curvature of the eye (generally 8-10)
- Diameter – is the diameter of the lens (generally 13-15mm)
- Type/Lens Material – prescribed by your ophthalmologist, based on comfort and health of the eye
- Date of Expiration – prescription expires after 1-2 years.
And What About Astigmatism?
If there isn't any number written next to CYL in your prescription, you're in luck! This means you don't suffer from astigmatism or have such a small degree of it that it doesn't require treatment.
But, Wait...What Does It Mean to Have 20/20 Vision?
It's time to dispel one of those myths – having 20/20 vision doesn't imply perfect vision. All it means is that you see at 20 feet what an average individual can see at the same distance.
Surprisingly, but 20/15 is much sharper than 20/20. In addition, vision isn't just about distance acuity. There is also peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision, etc.
Is Your Vision Getting Worse Because You’re Aging?
No, but your chances of developing eye problems increase. As you age past 50, be on the lookout for:
- Macular degeneration
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Diabetic eye disease
Here’s how to take care of your eyes as you get older:
- Always wear sunglasses and a hat when you’re in the sun
- Wear protective eyewear when playing sports, working with machinery, or handling hazardous materials
- Maintain good blood pressure
- Exercise and eat right
When to Be Examined for Vision Problems
- Do not have any vision problem? Get checked every 5 years up to 30 years, and then once every 2-4 years between ages 40 and 65 and every 2 years after age 65.
- Have vision problem? Get eye check-up every 2 years if between ages 19-4
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