After having an eye test, your optician will discuss with you your prescription and whether you require prescription glasses or contact lenses. You will be given a sheet with your results and you can get glasses or contact lenses (if required) from an optician of your choice by showing them your prescription. This prescription will usually last two years depending on how often you have your eyes tested.
What do the results mean?
When seeing your eye test results and prescription for the first time, you will probably feel very confused and forget how the optometrist explained them to you. Below will explain what your eye results mean and help you make sense of your prescription.
R and L – These refer to your right (R) and left (L) eye.
Sph (Sphere) – This refers to how long or short sighted that you are. If there is a plus (+) sign then you require correction for long sightedness. If there is a minus (-) sign then you require correction for short sightedness. The larger the number written next to the positive or minus sign then the stronger the lens you require.
Prism – This refers to the amount of correction needed to ensure your vision is working perfectly and to balance you eye muscles so that both your eyes work well together.
Base – This is the direction that the prism will be put into your lenses (if you require a prism).
Cyl (Cylinder) – This refers to whether you suffer with a degree of astigmatism which causes your vision to become distorted when looking at both distant and near objects. Astigmatism is known as being long and short sighted and is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea.
Axis – This refers to the direction of the cylinder and the angle of the lens required for correcting the astigmatism which can vary up to 180 degrees.
Add- This on a prescription refers to the amount of correction needed and may show on the prescription as ‘Add distance, ‘Add Inter’ or ‘Add near’ referring to the amount of correction needed to help you cope with distances, intermediate distances or near distances respectively.
If you struggle with understanding your prescription or have any further questions then it is important to contact your optician so that they can answer these for you.
