Reading a prescription involves understanding the abbreviations and numbers that specify the lens power and other corrections needed for your vision. Here's a breakdown of the key components:
Understanding the Columns
Prescriptions are typically presented in a table format with different columns representing different aspects of your vision correction. Common columns include:
- OD (Oculus Dexter): Right eye
- OS (Oculus Sinister): Left eye
- OU (Oculus Uterque): Both eyes
Key Abbreviations and What They Mean
Here are some common abbreviations you'll find on your prescription and what they indicate:
-
SPH (Sphere): This, often abbreviated as SPH, indicates the lens power needed to correct your vision. It's measured in diopters (D).
- Minus Sign (-): A minus sign next to the number indicates nearsightedness (myopia). This means you see better up close but need correction for distance vision. For example, -2.00 means you are nearsighted and need a 2.00 diopter correction.
- Plus Sign (+): A plus sign indicates farsightedness (hyperopia). This means you see better far away and need correction for near vision. For example, +1.50 means you are farsighted and need a 1.50 diopter correction.
Example Prescription Breakdown
Let's say your prescription looks like this:
| OD | OS | |
|---|---|---|
| SPH | -1.00 | -0.50 |
This means:
- Right Eye (OD): You are nearsighted and need a -1.00 diopter correction.
- Left Eye (OS): You are nearsighted and need a -0.50 diopter correction.
By understanding these basic components, you can begin to decipher your eye prescription and understand the type of vision correction you require.
