Demystifying the Jargon: Understanding Your Vision Prescription
When you go to the doctor for an eye check-up, you often receive a vision prescription that includes technical terms that may leave you feeling utterly perplexed. Terms like diopter, astigmatism, and pupil distance don’t sound like something from everyday conversations, but they play a central role in your ability to see clearly. In this article, we will demystify vision prescription jargon and walk you through the different components of your prescription to help you understand what they mean.
What Is a Vision Prescription?
A vision prescription is a written prescription for corrective lenses prescribed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. It specifies the type of lens required to correct your vision and may include additional information related to your visual needs. There are two main components of a vision prescription: the OD and OS.
OD and OS
OD refers to the right eye, while OS refers to the left eye. If your prescription has a third column labeled OU, this stands for “both eyes.” The prescription typically includes a series of numbers and signs that indicate the power of the lenses required to correct your vision.
Sphere, Cylinder and Axis
The next set of numbers indicates the sphere, cylinder, and axis values. The sphere value indicates your nearsightedness or farsightedness. If the number is negative, you are nearsighted, while a positive number means you are farsighted. The cylinder value indicates the degree of astigmatism in your eye. Astigmatism is a common condition that leads to the cornea having an irregular shape, resulting in distorted vision. The axis value indicates the orientation of the astigmatism in your eye.
Addition and Prism
The “addition” value is relevant for people who require multifocal lenses, such as bifocals, trifocals, or progressives. It represents the additional power that is added to the distance prescription to help with near vision. Another term you might come across is prism. A prism is prescribed for individuals who have problems with binocular vision or double vision.
Pupil Distance
Pupil distance, or PD, is the distance between the centers of both pupils measured in millimeters. It is crucial because it ensures the optical center of the lens aligns with the center of the pupil, allowing for the best correction and clarity of vision.
Conclusion
Understanding your vision prescription may seem overwhelming at first, but it is essential for maintaining good vision and eye health. We hope this article has made the process a little less daunting and helped you understand the different components of a vision prescription. Remember to always consult with your eye care professional if you have any questions or concerns about your vision or prescription.
