How to read your prescription
Don’t panic at the table of numbers. Here’s a plain-language decoder you can use in 60 seconds.
OD vs OS
OD is your right eye, OS is your left. Always.
OU when both eyes share a value.
Sphere (SPH)
The strength of correction in diopters. Negative numbers correct nearsightedness, positive numbers correct farsightedness.
Cylinder (CYL) & Axis
Cylinder corrects astigmatism. Axis (1–180°) tells the lab where to orient the cylinder correction.
Add (ADD) & PD
ADD is the extra magnification for reading — required for progressive and bifocal lenses. PD is your pupillary distance.