A vision prescription is a detailed authorization from your eye care professional that specifies the exact measurements needed for glasses, contact lenses, or other vision correction devices.

These prescriptions ensure you receive the exact vision correction needed for optimal sight and are legally required for obtaining corrective lenses.

Note: Only your eye care professionals can create or update vision prescriptions to ensure they're based on proper eye examinations and meet safety requirements.

 

Why Vision Prescriptions Matter

Accurate vision prescriptions provide important benefits:

  • Ensure you get exactly the right lens power for optimal vision
  • Meet legal requirements for obtaining prescription eyewear
  • Guarantee your vision correction is safe for your eye health
  • Support insurance claims for vision correction
  • Allow you to shop around and compare prices
  • Enable easy ordering of replacement eyewear

 

What's in Your Vision Prescription

Basic prescription information:

  • Prescription status (active, completed, cancelled)
  • When the prescription was created and authorized
  • The eye exam visit when it was written

Lens specifications for each eye:

  • Which eye (right, left, or both)
  • Product type (glasses, contact lenses, etc.)
  • Lens measurements for vision correction
  • Special corrections if needed

Key lens measurements:

  • Sphere: Corrects nearsightedness (-) or farsightedness (+)
  • Cylinder: Corrects astigmatism (irregular eye shape)
  • Axis: Direction of astigmatism correction (0-180 degrees)
  • Add: Extra power for reading (bifocals/progressives)

Contact lens specifics:

  • Contact lens power (may differ from glasses)
  • Base curve (how the lens fits your eye)
  • Diameter (width of the lens)
  • Brand and replacement schedule

 

Understanding Your Prescription Numbers

How the numbers work:

  • Plus (+) numbers: Correct farsightedness (trouble seeing up close)
  • Minus (-) numbers: Correct nearsightedness (trouble seeing far away)
  • Higher numbers: Stronger prescription, more vision correction needed
  • Standard steps: Usually change in 0.25 increments

Prescription strength ranges:

  • Mild: ±0.25 to ±2.00
  • Moderate: ±2.25 to ±6.00
  • Strong: ±6.25 and higher

Special corrections:

  • Prism: Helps eyes work together properly
  • Tints: Special colors for light sensitivity or medical needs
  • Coatings: Anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, UV protection

 

How to Use Your Prescription

Getting your eyewear:

  • Take your prescription to any licensed optician or optical shop
  • Order from authorized online retailers
  • Make sure they can handle special requirements like prisms
  • Keep a copy for easy reordering

Insurance and costs:

  • Submit to insurance for coverage verification
  • Compare prices between different providers
  • Ask about coverage for special coatings

Prescription maintenance:

  • Schedule regular eye exams to keep prescriptions current
  • Report vision changes to your eye care professional
  • Order backup glasses or contacts before current ones wear out

 

Questions to Ask About Your Prescription

About your measurements:

  • "Can you explain what each number means?"
  • "How has my prescription changed?"
  • "Why do I need prism correction?"
  • "What's the difference between my glasses and contact prescriptions?"

About lens options:

  • "What type of lenses work best for my lifestyle?"
  • "Do you recommend any special coatings?"
  • "What contact lens brands work best for me?"
  • "Should I consider progressive lenses?"

About prescription validity:

  • "How long is this prescription valid?"
  • "When should I schedule my next eye exam?"
  • "What vision changes should prompt an earlier exam?"

Your vision prescription is your key to clear, comfortable vision. Understanding it helps you make informed decisions about your eyewear.