How to Read Prescription

Prescription Abbreviations and Definitions

Prescription	Description
OD	Right Eye ---oculus (eye) dexter (right)
OS	Left Eye---oculus (eye) sinister(left)
OU	Both Eyes
PL	PLANO; a placeholder for the number zero
SPH	SPHERE power; the (total) power.Occasionally, the numbers in your prescription will not include decimal points.  This means that +1.25 = +125 and -0.75 = -75.
DS	Diopters sphere (you have sphere power only)
CYL	CYLINDER power;  the amount of astigmatism correction.  Some prescriptions are written in (-) cylinder and some are written in (+) cylinder.  If your doctor omitted this information, please leave it blank when submitting your order.
X	Axis;If X 80 same as  AXIS 080
ADD	The amount of power that gets added to the distance prescription (this creates your reading-only prescription) or for the lower portion of your bifocals/progressives. If there is only one ADD power on your prescription for bifocals, this means that the same ADD power is used for both eyes.  If there is no ADD power given, leave this section blank when ordering.
DV	Distance Vision only (full-time wear) (movies, driving, TV, etc.)
NV	Near Vision only (reading only) (books, newspaper, menu, etc.)
PD	pupillary distance (the measurement in millimeters (mm) between both pupils)
UV	Ultra Violet Coating
AR	Anti Reflective Coating
SRC	Scratch Resistace Coating

 

 

Pupillary Distance measuring instructions

1. Put the millimeter ruler on the bridge of your nose.

2. Ask someone to stand approximately 2 feet away from you and measure the distance between the centers of your pupils (the black circle in your eyes). 

3. You can measure pupillary distance yourself by using a mirror.

You may ask your doctor or a licensed Optician to obtain this information from your file or they can take the measurement for you.

Note:  Typical adult's pupillary distance measurements are as follows:  (54mm to 66mm).
Typical children's pupillary distance measurements are as follows:  (41mm to 55mm).

* New York State residents must have their pupillary distance measured by a doctor or licensed Optician