The On-line Spectacle Buyers Guide. A complete guide to shopping for spectacles on-line. Part Four: Interpreting Your PrescriptionHow to avoid common mistakes.This is an important section. Please follow this carefully.
Your prescription may seem confusing at first glance but it really is quite simple to understand. The other problem, especially with hand written forms, is interpreting the opticians' handwriting. If you cannot read your prescription PLEASE ASK FOR HELP! Every prescription, where ever you are in the world follows the same basic format. There may be a few variations on layout and/or abbreviations, but all the required information will be on the form.
Each prescription will have values for both LEFT and RIGHT eyes for the correction of your vision. Opticians use various formats to record the information relating to your prescription. Regardless of the format of your prescription, all the necessary information required for completion of our prescription order form will be contained within it, with the probable exception of the pupil distance measurement or P.D. A form detailing how to measure your P.D is available in the site menu. There are several key areas of your prescription to concentrate on, both for RIGHT and LEFT eyes. If your prescription does not contain information in all of the boxes, DON'T WORRY this is quite normal. - Sph (sphere) present on most prescriptions (Look out for (+) or (-) symbols)
- Cyl (Cylinder) May or may not be present (Look out for (+) or (-) symbols)
- Axis - Only present if there is numerals in the Cyl or Cylinder section.
- Add/Addition or Near If this is provided it represents the extra power needed for you to read
- Prism Rarely present, however please contact us if you have a prism reading and wish to place an order.
In this example, the RIGHT and LEFT details are displayed side by side (Right eye first). However they may be listed above each other. RIGHT and LEFT may be indicated by simply R and L. Notice that the Near reading is displayed in both boxes. However this can be written once only, as it is usually the same for both eyes. The optician may also choose to write the FULL Distance AND the FULL Near prescription. If this is the case, the reading addition is obtained by subtracting the Distance SPH from the NEAR SPH to obtain the Reading Addition. The Cylinder and Axis element of the prescription is unaffected. 
This prescription reads as follows: Distance RIGHT: +2.00 DS Near: +2.00 Add LEFT: +2.25 / -0.50 148 Near: +2.00 Add But may also be written as follows: Distance RIGHT: +2.00 DS LEFT: +2.25 / -0.50 148 Near RIGHT: +4.00 DS LEFT: +4.25 / -0.50 148 Note, on the right eye in the cylinder section is written DS. This just means that the lens is a SPHERE. You will note that there is nothing in the axis section and it is crossed through. If you are in any doubt about filling in your order please give us a call on 01856 731269. You may also post, email or fax the prescription to us. Please make sure that when completing any of our order forms, you copy all of the information exactly as it appears on your prescription. Ensure that you include the important positive (+) or negative (-) symbols next to every sphere and cylinder readings where indicated on your prescription. If you are unsure about any of the information provided, please contact us and we will be more than happy to help you. Prism and Base If you have any value in the prism boxes please contact us before placing an order. Prism is used for the correction of double vision and may be considered as a complex prescription. In any case additional charges will almost certainly apply. to TOP | 
