Please ensure when entering your prescription details the SPHERE AND CYL powers are correctly selected as + or –

Once you have had your eye test you will be given a copy of your prescription with which you can order you new glasses. The content of this will depend on the prescription / correction required.

A typical prescription will look similar to this -

Sphere

The sphere is the power of the lens for long or short sight. This figure will be a minus (-) power for short sight and (+) power for long sight. Please ensure that when entering this figure you select the correct + or – sign. It is possible to have a plus powered sphere in one eye and a minus in the other, however this is not common. If this is the case it may be wise to confirm the details with your Optician.

The Cyl and Axis are a measurement of the astigmatism of the eye. This is not present in all prescriptions and it is quite normal to have a Sphere value only. In this instance you should leave the Cyl and Axis boxes unchanged. Some Opticians will add a note to confirm there is no CYL and AXIS and this is commonly written in the CYL box. If you see DS or SPH written after the Sphere power then this is confirmation there is no Cyl and Axis.

In the example above there is no Cyl or Axis in the right eye

The Sphere and Cyl powers will consist of a + or – power (unless 0.00) and will be in 0.25 steps e.g. -0.25. -0.50, -0.75,-1.00, -1.25 and so on.

The + and – signs may be written in front of the power but is normally written above.

The axis will be a numerical figure between 0 and 180 and it is normal for this to be different in each eye.

The ADD is the additional power required for reading. This occurs naturally in the eyes after the age of 40-45. The first sign is that reading will become a little more difficult and you will have to hold things further away. The ADD is the additional power required to focus close work.

If you are under this age and/or have no problems reading up close with your glasses on then you may not have an ADD on your prescription. We only require this value if you require glasses specifically for reading, bifocals or varifocals.

If you have prism in your prescription please contact us for advice

You may also have VAs or visual acuities on the prescription. These are generally written as 6/6, 6/5, etc. This represents the line of letters you can read on the chart and are not required to order glasses

THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE IS TO SELECT A PLUS SIGN INSTEAD OF A MINUS, OR VICE VERSA. PLEASE TAKE EXTRA CARE WHEN SELECTING SPHERE AND CYLS!

Summary of abbreviations you may see on your prescription.

DS - this means Dioptre Sphere and means there is no astigmatism and thus the CYL and AXIS have no value and should be left blank

Plano, 0.00, infinite, ∞ - these all mean the same thing, there is no power.

OD – this is Latin and means “right eye”

OS – again this is Latin and means “left eye”

BVD – this is the back vertex distance and is the distance from your eye the lens was held when you were tested. Please add this to the additional comments

The Pupillary Distance

Also known as the PD this is the measurement in mm between the 2 pupils when looking into the distance. This figure maybe on your prescription and is usually written as “PD 63” or “PD 63/59”. In the second example the first number (63) is the measurement between the pupils for distance and the second (59) is the measurement for reading, when we look at a close object the eyes converge and thus the distance between the pupils narrow.

If your PD is not on the prescription don’t panic! For most prescriptions, except particularly high ones, we can calculate the PD accurately using factors such as the frame size, prescription, gender and many years experience. All of our orders are checked by a qualified Optician and we will always contact you to clarify any possible mistakes or if further confirmation is required.

It’s actually pretty easy to measure your PD and all you need is a ruler and a friend to help you! Whilst you look into the distance ask your friend to measure from the centre of the right pupil to the centre of the left.

The measurement will usually be 56-66 mm for distance. If you are ordering reading glasses take the measurement above and then subtract 3mm

E.g., if you measure 63 mm then the PD for distance glasses would be 63 and the PD for reading glasses would be 60.

If you prefer you can send an old pair of glasses or sunglasses to us. The PD does not change once you are fully gown and is not affected by changes in prescription. If you wish to do this simply make a note in the additional comments box of “sending old glasses for PD”? We will email the details required to send the glasses in and they will be returned with your order.

Please remember. If you have any queries on your prescription please contact us. We can offer email help from a qualified optician between 9.00am and 10.00 pm 7 days a week. We usually have an answer to your query back to you with 15 – 20 minutes