Sphere, Cylinder, and Axis on Eye Prescriptions. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. GlassesUSA has a huge selection of contacts, glasses, & sunglasses. The sphere is the indication of how strong the lenses need to be in order to correct the vision. However, there are other parameters, such as CYL which means the astigmatism part and AX which means the axis position in the astigmatism. 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. There are occasions where your optician will write out your complete "Distance" prescription followed by your complete "Near" prescription. For example, if the Add were +2.25 and the OD-Sph was -0.50, the new OD-Sph for reading glasses would be +1.75; if the Sph were +0.25, the new Sph would be +2.50. If you dont know whether you need a pair of glasses, the post How to Know If You Need Glasses? Plano, Infinity, 0.00, - Basically 0.00 or no correction is required for that part of the prescription. The "ADD" value applies to both eyes and can sometimes be written only once on the prescription, even though the addition is required for both eyes. What Does SPH mean? Our entire range of prescription glasses for Men. Swim Goggles Non-Rx: Giggly Goggles for Kids, All Swim Goggles Non-Rx: Giggly Goggles for Kids, Anti Blue Light Glasses / Blue Block Glasses, Replacement Parts & Accessories| Rec Specs, Prescription Ski Goggles Inserts and Ski Goggles, Partnerships with Ophthalmologists / Optometrists / Eye Health Professionals. When you hold the prescription, have you ever been curious to know what the number and letters mean for your eyesight? What are blue-light-blocking glasses and how do they work? These are abbreviations for the Latin terms oculus dexter and oculus sinister. Add is the added magnifying power applied to the bottom part ofmultifocal lensesto correctpresbyopia. All Rights Reserved. The axis is defined with a number from 1 to 180. The axis indicates the angle (in degrees) between the two meridians of an astigmatic eye. The less common prism Rx refers to the amount of prismatic power needed to compensate for eye alignment issues (e.g., double vision or lazy eye). The number under the OD and OS measurement in your prescription is measured in diopters. The number under cylinder provides the lens power needed to correct the astigmatism. This stops light from focusing properly on your retina and makes your vision blurry. The axis is the astigmatism orientation. VA, Visual Acuities - These values describe your vision (visual acuity) but are not needed to make your glasses. When the person has no astigmatism, the perfect eye shows 0 diopters. SPH is a + or - value in 0.25 steps and is required to correct your nearsightedness (-) or farsightedness (+). Some people may have prism in two directions for one eye, for example; Prism 2.00 Base IN & 1.00 Base UP. In other words, because eyeglasses and contact lenses have different distances from your eyes, the amount of correctionneeded is also different. This post will explain them one by one. In the context of an eye prescription. 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. How computer glasses can ease digital eye strain, How screen time effects child development, Importance of eye care and regular eye exams, What to expect at a comprehensive eye exam, Paediatric eye exam: How they are different. This figure is an indication of how much extra power is required on top of the distance prescription for near or intermediate glasses. Page published on Thursday, 21 February, 2019. Sphere refers to the power of your lens (measured in dioptre units) to correct the degree of short or long sight you have. Most values range from 0.00 to +/- 20.00 and go up in steps of 0.25. When no correction for SPH is required the optician will write "Plano", "", "0.00" or just leave the space blank. Cylinder (CYL). On the other hand, if your SPH value is +1.00, you are farsighted and need correction for seeing closer objects. If you have an astigmatism, you will find a "+" or "-" value in this box. The values range between 0 and 180 and may go up in steps of , 1, 5 or 10 degrees, we only show the AXIS to a whole number but if you have a degree on your prescription you can list this in the additional information box when ordering. In the horizontal meridian of the eyes, the number 180 is used. If you see the "sph" in the "cyl" box . Full Explanations: Sphere, Cylinder, and Axis Superlite titanium rimless collection The SuperLite Titanium rimless series is provided by super Warby Parker WARBY PARKER, one of the most popular eyewear brands in the United States, set up it What Are Progressive Lenses? Can someone help me out here? Explained: Why do new glasses make you dizzy? The prism Rx will have two values: PRISM & BASE. They are abbreviations foroculus dexterandoculus sinister, which are Latin terms for right eye and left eye. In the context of an eye prescription, OD means right eye and OS means left eye. OS is an abbreviation of the Latin oculus sinister which means left eye. A number over 5 is generally considered to be on the stronger side. Astigmatism relates to an issue in the curvature of yourcorneathat causes blurred distance and near vision, especially at night. 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. Inter, Inter Add, Int Add, Int, Intermediate Addition - These all relate to your intermediate addition and are used to make glasses for intermediate distance use. Now you know the ABCs and the ODs and OSs of your eyeglass prescription, so you can make sense of your eyeglass prescription. Cylinder (CYL) Cylinder indicates the amount of lens power needed for astigmatism. Only a small amount of prescriptions will require a PRISM. After reading this part, you may get the answer. On the eye prescription, there are minus and plus signs in the cylinder column. To convert a multi-focal prescription for single vision reading glasses, simply combine the Add number and the Spherical number. This doctor has elected to add "SPH," to confirm the right eye is being prescribed only spherical power. How to read eye prescription? What does SPH DS mean? Through her writing, Dr. Huang enjoys educating patients on how to lead healthier and happier lives. Progressive For multi-focal glasses, as well as reading and computer glasses, your Rx will include an ADD or NV value. What does SPH mean for glasses? The PRISM value will also be followed by a directional value (see BASE below). These links allow you to toggle the form so that it appears the same as the hard copy of your prescription, some common examples are shown below. OOPS! A minus (-) symbol next to this number means youre nearsighted, and a plus (+) symbol means the prescription is meant to correct farsightedness. What Do the Abbreviations on My Glasses Prescription Mean? (See Different ways in which a prescription can be displayed below). The doctor wrote "SPH" in the Cylinder column. Prism powers will always be accompanied with a direction which is usually seen as a base diresction such as IN, OUT, UP and DOWN; for example; Prism 2.00 Base IN. Analytics cookies are used to understand how you interact with our content. The information provided on VisionCenter.org should not be used in place of actual information provided by a doctor or a specialist. Cyl = cylinder or the amount or power of the astigmatism correction. They may mention that you have either of the following: They probably gave you an eyeglasses prescription that looks something like this: These are all crucial pieces of information when getting your eyewear. Generally, it will range from +0.75 to +3.00 D and will be the same power for both eyes. The images below show the same prescription information in two different formats. How to Measure Your PD with A Regular Ruler. Consequently, 24 shown by the red line on the Continue Reading 10 Sponsored by Forbes Advisor Free Shipping Worldwide on Orders Over $69, Full Explanations: Sphere, Cylinder and Axis in Glasses. You may find a number listed which helps determine the amount of lens power that is needed to correct astigmatism. You'll notice the CYL and AXIS values are the same for both distance and near. SPH stands for spherical power and describes the degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness. If your SPH value is -1.00, you are nearsighted. Diopter is the measurement used for the strength of eyeglass lenses. ; values are usually entered with computer, but may be handwritten by doctor. If in doubt just enter your prescription as you see it, if youre not sure what type of lenses are suitable, hover your mouse over the question mark next to the lens type to reveal more detailed information about the product. The axis is defined with a number from 1 to 180. In the following picture, you can see an eye prescription. That means that you have no astigmatism to correct in that eye. For multi-focal glasses, as well as reading and computer glasses, your Rx will include an ADD or NV value. Usually your lenses will be positioned around 10-12mm from your eyes, however this will vary from person to person. The CYL basically represents the main differences in the weakest as well as greatest eye powers which are usually separated by degrees (90). Thats why weve put together a short guide to help you learn how to read a glasses prescription so you can get to ordering your new set of eyeglasses as quickly as possible. Click here if your prescription looks different to this form. like in the example above, you can toggle the form to enable you to enter an inter add as below; Balance- No values are required. Cylinder: The cylinder (CYL) number indicates the lens power needed to correct astigmatism. It is the amount of magnification required to "ADD" to the "SPH" value of your "Distance" prescription to correct your near vision. We use cookies to give you a fantastic customer experience. Our online prescription form initially displays the most common format, Distance with a Near Add. If the human eye acuity is 20/200, this is called the bad eye axis and is considered the blind person. Sphere, sometimes abbreviated as SPH, indicates the amount of lens power needed to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. SPH, or sphere, is the amount of lens power needed to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness, whereas CYL, or cylinder, is the amount of lens power needed to correct astigmatism. This correction is often used for reading, sewing and any detailed close work. If the glasses help to improve the vision, then the person is not legally blind. Checkout now! 'Add' +2.50 - should be entered for both eyes). In SPH, the minus sign is the indication of nearsightedness (far away objects are blurred). OS -1.00 -0.50 x 180 +2.00 add 0.5 p.d. Sometimes they need to be adjusted by professionals. Our entire range of prescription glasses for Women. Some eyeglass prescriptions may require a PD (pupillary distance) measurement. Notable terms include: Sphere (SPH) - The term "sphere" means that the correction for nearsightedness or farsightedness is spherical, equal in all meridians of the eye. The AXIS, in degrees, is a number between 0 and 180. We may earn commissions if you purchase something via one of our links. The optical centre of each lens should be placed directly in front of the centre of each of your pupils. If the number is written, this is the indication of the usage of eye contact. Sphere (SPH) and Cylinder (CYL) always have a (+) or (-) sign. This indicates the required strength for the near prescription in your lens. On some rare occasions, you may find an AXIS value with a decimal place or fraction. In the third part, we will show you what the Axis in glasses is. Though the use of these abbreviated Latin terms is traditional for prescriptions written for eyeglasses, contact lensesand eye medicines, some doctors and clinics have opted to modernize their prescriptions and use RE (right eye) and LE (left eye) instead of OD and OS. The number marked 'axis' describes the orientation of astigmatism. A survey of the criteria for prescribing in cases of borderline refractive errors. Sphere (SPH) and Cylinder (CYL) always have a (+) or (-) sign. to Fri (9am - 5pm) +4.50 -1.50 x90. 5. Cylinder: The cylinder (CYL) number indicates the . Cylinder is the indication of the lens power amount that is basically needed for the eyes disease named astigmatism (blurred vision). We use cookies to personalize content, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. The CYL stands for Cylinder. The two rows refer to your right (OD) and left (OS) eyeswith the right eye always on the upper row. If the PD/Pupillary Distance for the glasses is not set correctly then your eyes may have to strain to look through them, this can lead to headaches, eyestrain, visual distortion and in severe cases, double vision. This correction is often used for driving, television and general wear (walking around). In its simplest form, a prescription for glasses will feature a table with two rows and three columns. Add, Near Add, Reading Addition - These all relate to your reading addition and can be written anywhere on the prescription. They can also be written anywhere on the prescription. How to choose the best lenses for your glasses, Photochromic lenses: Glasses that adjust to light, Special eyewear: Safety, driving and computer glasses, How to pick the right glasses for your face shape, Reading glasses: A buying guide for readers, Choosing glasses for your style and personality, Glasses size: A guide to eyeglasses frame size, Best places to buy eyeglasses/where to buy glasses, Why prescription sunglasses are a smart choice, How to prevent eye damage with UV sunglasses, Choosing the best sunglasses for your kids, The pros and cons of daily disposable contact lenses, Contact lens care: How to clean and store soft contacts, Understanding your contact lens prescription, Choosing the right coloured contact lenses, Contact lens tips: A user guide with expert advice. The lens power amount is, therefore, measured in D (diopters) for farsightedness or nearsightedness. We aim to deliver within 1-7 days and we will always attempt to notify you of any delays. The base value will show either in or out, or up and down, indicating the direction the prism should be angled. See below to learn the meaning of SPH, CYL Axis, Prism, PD, and more. Do you know the meaning of the Sphere, Cylinder and Axis? Conversely, if your prescription does not display a CYL value, you do not need an Axis value. In addition, you will see the initials OD and OS written on your eye prescription. The interesting fact is that if the prescription of eyeglass includes the main cylinder power, it is important to include the axis value along with it so that it follows the power of CYL. Your optician may or may not write DS (Dioptres Sphere) in the CYL box. Download Our Mobile App for Faster Checkout. There will also be a number in the axis column thats needed for astigmatism correction. CYL, or cylinder, refers to the amount of astigmatism correction you need. The minus sign and the plus sign next to the Cylinder numbers are also for nearsightedness and farsightedness. The "Distance" row contains the values required to correct your distance vision for the respective eye. 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. The measurement is Prism Dioptre. The sphere power is the base power of a lens which is 360 degrees around the lens. It will be a number between 1 and 180. Most of our prescription orders take about three days to complete. If the axis changes by more than 90, you need to consult an eye specialist. This measurement is important as it explains at what distance your lenses should sit from your eyes. If youre looking for eyeglasses that can bend without breaking, look great and enhance your vision all at o My manafest refraction test was -50 -50 110 + 250, But my rx reads -50 sph axis +250. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. What does sphere cylinder and axis mean? 1-800 Contacts is our #1 recommendation to buy contacts online. If you are trying to reach us outside of these hours please email us at [emailprotected] and we will respond the next working day. : r/glasses. If you have an astigmatism, indicated by an axis and cylinder number on your prescription, it means that the front of your eye is irregularly shaped. A cylinder forms a focus 90 degrees to its axis. I agree to Olives, How to Know If You Need Glasses? Did you get confused? Children should have their first eye exam when they are around six months old, and then another just before they start school. In the vertical meridian of the eyes, the number 90 is used. Register so we can email you as soon as its becomes available! The axis is the orientation of the cylinder when looking at an eye. To make a purchase on our Canadian site, you'll need to create a separate account. The size is not dangerous or bad, but the number associated with it (ex: Size: small, medium, large, extra-large etc.) Social cookies allow you to utilize social media features. Notable terms include: Sphere (SPH) - The term "sphere" means that the correction for nearsightedness or farsightedness is spherical, equal in all meridians of the eye. This is especially handy as you can copy the values without having to make any calculations yourself. The 20/20 vision is the correct vision for normal eyes. In AXIS, the lens meridian plays an important role. The measurement is the Dioptre, and most values range from +0.50 to +3.50 and will go up in steps of 0.25. Prism refers to the amount of prismatic power needed to correct eye alignment problems, measured in prism diopters. 1. OSstands for oculus sinister, Latin for left eye.. 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. Worried about the wrong fit? Essentially, OD means right eye, and OS means left eye. These numbers typically are the same for both eyes and range from +0.75 to +3.00. 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. (Some doctors will add "DS" for "diopters sphere;" others will leave this area blank.). Cylinder power always follows Sphere power in an eyeglass prescription. 'Sphere' is basically a measure of how strong your prescription needs to be. Pro Tip - Make sure to pay particular attention to whether the values are a + or -. What is the difference between polarized and non-polarized lenses? A glasses prescription can be displayed in a number of ways. The BVD stands for Back Vertex Distance, this is a measurement that is included on any prescription where the sphere or cylinder powers are higher than + or - 5.00D and to a lesser extent some prescriptions where it is less than this power. Whats more, if an eyeglass prescription includes cylinder power, it also must include an Axis value, which follows the CYL power. What face shape best suits cat eye glasses? If the number is positive (+), it is correcting farsightedness. By Email or 0330 165 6900, Site Map 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 (SPH) and Cylinder (CYL) always have a (+) or (-) sign. If you are farsighted, you will see a plus sign(+) next to the Sphere number. If nothing appears in this column, either you have no astigmatism, or your astigmatism is so slight that it is not really necessary to correct it with your eyeglass lenses. This number always has a (+) sign. You can simply select the values that match your prescription. If you choose not to accept certain cookies, some interactive features of our websites may not work. When we look at the eye prescription written by our consultant, different questions come to mind. What face shape best suits browline glasses? If your prescription indicates a CYL value, you must have a corresponding Axis value. On any prescription, PD can be written in different ways: e.g., 62 (Single PD), 33/31 (Dual PD), or 62/60 (Distance PD . What does that mean. A number between +/-.025 to +/-2.00 is considered mild, a number between +/-2.25 to +/- 5.00 is considered moderate, and a number greater than +/- 5.00 is considered severe. Liingo Eyewear is another great option to buy glasses online. ADD is always a positive number and ranges from +0.75 to +3.00 for most people. The values concerning the correction your right eye may be indicated as "RE", "Right", "Right Eye" or "OD" which is an abbreviation for Oculus Dexter, the Latin term for "Right Eye". If nothing appears in this column, either you have no astigmatism, or your astigmatism is so slight that it is not really necessary to . In addition, most prescriptions willshow your pupillary distance (PD), the horizontal distance between your pupils. Myopia control: How to slow your child's myopia, Childrens eye care problems at school-age, How the eye works: Refraction and refractive errors, Using eye drops: How to correctly apply them. DS simply means no power is present in the CYL box so leave this as NONE or DS. Please note you can also upload a copy of your prescription during checkout and our Optometrist will check it against what you have entered on your order and you will be notified if there are any discrepancies. ADD, or addition, refers to the amount of magnifying power you would need in multifocal lenses to see closer objects, like a book. Remember, eyeglasses prescriptions are different than prescriptions for contact lenses. 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. The term "sphere" means that the correction for nearsightedness or farsightedness is "spherical," or equal in all meridians of the eye. A prescription for correcting eye alignment issues will include a PRISM and BASE value. This means that a person can see the object clearly at 20 feet. The value may be as high as 10 and may go up in steps of or 1 Prism Dioptres. Balance - No values are required. Find an eyewear shop nearby or online to pick your lenses and frames. Youll often see this terms on eyeglass prescriptions. When no correction for SPH is required the optician will write "Plano", "", "0.00" or just leave the space blank. The "Near" row or "Near Addition" contains the information required to correct your near vision. Cylinder means the amount of lens power for astigmatism and shows the differences between the greatest and weakest powers of the eye. The measurement is the Dioptre. These glasses are often worn full time. A glasses prescription can be displayed in a number of ways. If you cant make sense of your eyeglass prescription, youre not alone. The temple should be long enough to keep the frame securely in place without any pressure on your ears. If the number appearing under this heading has a minus sign (-), you . Best Place to Buy Contacts: 1800 Contacts. 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. This number shows the angle of the lens that shouldnt feature a cylinder power to correct your astigmatism. This ensures that they can see clearly in class; poor vision can seriously impact a childs learning. Add, Near Add, Reading Addition- These all relate to your reading addition and can be written anywhere on the prescription. What does Axis mean for glasses? Older Post Most values range from +/- 0.25 to +/- 4.00 and will go up in steps of 0.25. Optometrists measure SPH values in increments of 0.25 diopters, and when people talk about their prescription degree, theyre usually talking about their sphere value. The AXIS stands for Axis and SPH stands for Sphere. This number will appear as a decimal (0.5) or fraction (), followed by two letters indicating the base direction: There may be additional information written by your optometrist or ophthalmologist regarding your eye health. Our entire range of mens sunglasses from only 19.97, Our entire range of womens sunglasses from only 19.97. What does 165 axis mean - One tool that can be used is What does 165 axis mean. What is SPH in a Glasses Prescription? Designed in Singapore for diverse tastes (and noses). Some eye doctors have modernized this and replaced OD with RE (right eye) and OS with LE. & Worries-free! 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. Cylinder axes range from 0 to 180, and are based on a hemispheric protractor. Our friendly customer service team are on hand to help Monday to Friday 9 am-5 pm and Saturdays 9 am-12 pm. If this is the case, your prescription will display SPH, CYL & AXIS values in both the "Distance" and "Near" sections of the prescription. Sphere, often written as SPH, means that the correction for nearsightedness or farsightedness is spherical, equal in all meridians of the eye. Base is the direction of a PRISM value and will only be supplied if the prescription has a PRISM value. For example: SPH -3.25 CYL -1.25 AXIS 120. Sphere, often written as SPH, means that the correction for nearsightedness or farsightedness is spherical, equal in all meridians of the eye. The number 90 means the vertical meridian of the eye and the number 180 means the horizontal meridian. This number is always positive, even if it doesnt have a plus sign (+) in front of it. The Add, short for Reading Addition, is the additional correction required for reading, this can be used to make either reading glasses, bifocal glasses or Varifocal glasses. How Do You Keep Your Glasses From Fogging Up With A Ski Mask? The number appearing in this section of the prescription is always a "plus" power, even if it is not preceded by a plus sign. If you see a negative value (-) that means your child is nearsighted. 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. Should I get a second opinion? They can also be written anywhere on the prescription. One FREE Frame with SV 1.56 index lenses are included ! What does "SPH" appearing under Cylinder on my prescription mean? An eye prescription specifies the values needed for your corrective eyewear. Here at Spex4Less, you will find both of these options directly above the prescription form. Prescribing spectacles: reasons for failure of spectacle lens acceptance. If you require progressive lenses, your prescription willdisplay a value under the ADD (addition) column. Your eyeglass prescription contains other terms and abbreviations as well. What is a contact lens eye exam and fitting? This means that the eyeball is spherical and has no oblongedness, and consequently has no Cylinder or Axis values. Copyright 2022 VisionCenter.org. Only one meridian will be adjusted to fix your astigmatism. oBundle. Enter your email address to make it happen. The sphere is measured in Dioptre's, 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. Inter, Inter Add, Int Add, Int, Intermediate Addition- These all relate to your intermediate addition and are used to make glasses for intermediate distance use. 2023 Lensmartonline.com.All rights reserved, FREE SHIPPING FOR ORDER OVER $65 (REMOTE AREA NOT COVERED) / Buy 1,Get Other Frames 50% Off(Not eligible for frames under $10). This measurement would be your ideal frame width that is the most necessary measurement. SPH is one of the parameters to report your eye prescription. This stands for cylinder, and it refers to the strength of the lenses needed to correct your astigmatism. The Sphere is also used to correct the nearsightedness or farsightedness. Axis: An axis number will also be included if you have an astigmatism. 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). After reading this post, you may have gotten the answers. Here are some common prescription types to help you navigate yours. The images below show some possible layouts of different prescriptions and how they would be entered on our website. A multifocal prescription will include an ADD value, sometimes marked as NV. What is segment height and how do you measure it? Typically, youll see several abbreviations and words labeling all of the important data on your prescription. A prescription for someone who is farsighted will feature a number with a plus (+) symbol in the sphere box. These include: Sphere indicates the amount of lens power, measured in diopters(D), prescribed to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. If you require spectacles for intermediate use include the INTER ADD in the ADD box when ordering and also advise us in the additional info box that you require these for intermediate use.