Decoding Your Glasses Prescription

If you wear prescription eyeglasses or contacts, then you are more than familiar with the eye exam procedures, tests, and all the other types of services your optometrist provides. After all, those with prescription eyeglasses need to continually update and check their prescription for changes. What people who have prescriptions may not be so keen on, however, is what all those mysterious prescription numbers and letters mean. If you are looking for an eye doctor near you in or around the Des Moines, IA, area, the Lock Family Eye Care team can help.

Decoding the Mystery of Your Glasses Prescription

If you are like most people, you have glanced at that prescription your eye doctor handed to you before you gave it to the optometrist. Here is a little cheat sheet to take some of the mystery out of those strange-looking prescriptions.

Those Odd Letters

Yes, they don't make much sense, but if you have the decoder chart, then at least you can read it!

•             OD: This is an abbreviation for a Latin term, and it simply means right eye.

•             OS: Same as above, but it indicates the left eye.

•             SPH: Think of this as your lens power.

•             CYL: This abbreviation for cylinder refers to the adjustment needed for those with astigmatism.

And Those Random Signs and Numbers

•             + / - Sign: The plus sign indicates a farsighted correction, while the minus is indicative of nearsighted adjustments.

•             Axis Numbers: These numbers relate to the CYL code, and refer to the required astigmatism adjustments.

Hopefully, that takes a little mystery out of those eyeglass prescriptions.

Contact Our Eye Doctor Near You in West Des Moines Today

If you are looking for an eye doctor near you in the West Des Moines, IA, area, or have questions about your prescription or eye care, then our professional and friendly optometrist team at Lock Family Eye Care can help. Contact us to learn more and schedule an appointment for the care and treatment you and your eyes need and deserve today.