Your prescription
How to read your eyeglass prescription
Here’s what the numbers on your prescription mean and which lenses they call for.
The short answer
An eyeglass prescription lists numbers for each eye. Sphere is the main power. A minus number corrects nearsightedness and a plus number corrects farsightedness. Cylinder and axis correct astigmatism. ADD is extra power for seeing up close. If your prescription has an ADD, you can order progressive lenses. If it doesn’t, single vision is the lens that matches it.
Read My Rx
Have us read it for you
Upload a photo or PDF of your eyeglass prescription. Read My Rx reads the values for each eye, tells you which lens type they call for and emails you the results. It’s free.
The columns
What each number means
| On your prescription | What it means |
|---|---|
| OD and OS, or R and L | Your right eye (OD) and your left eye (OS). Each eye gets its own row. |
| SPH, sphere | The main lens power. A minus number corrects nearsightedness. A plus number corrects farsightedness. |
| CYL, cylinder | Correction for astigmatism. A blank cylinder column means there’s no astigmatism to correct. |
| Axis | The angle of the astigmatism correction, from 1 to 180 degrees. It goes with the cylinder number. |
| ADD | Extra magnifying power for seeing up close. If your prescription has one, you can order progressive lenses. |
| Prism | An extra correction some prescriptions include for how the eyes line up. We make lenses with prism. |
| PD | The distance between the centers of your pupils, in millimeters. Not every prescription lists it. Our PD tool measures it from a photo. |
Example
A single vision prescription
There’s no number in the ADD column, so this prescription calls for single vision lenses.
| Eye | Sphere | Cylinder | Axis | ADD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right (OD) | -1.25 | -0.75 | 128 | |
| Left (OS) | -1.75 | -0.25 | 164 |
Example
A progressive prescription
The same distance numbers with an ADD of +2.00. This person can order progressive lenses to see across a room and read a phone in one pair.
| Eye | Sphere | Cylinder | Axis | ADD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right (OD) | -1.25 | -0.75 | 128 | +2.00 |
| Left (OS) | -1.75 | -0.25 | 164 | +2.00 |
Your lenses
Single vision or progressive
- Single vision
Your prescription has no ADD. Or it has one, but you only want distance correction in these glasses.
- Progressive
Your prescription has an ADD. You want distance and reading in one pair, so you can look across a room and glance down at your phone. Do I need progressive lenses? goes deeper.
- EV6 or EV20 with Custom Rx
You have an ADD and spend long stretches at a desk. EV6 holds clear focus from 18 inches to 6 feet. EV20 reaches 20 feet. Both can be made to your prescription.
Distance or reading
What your prescription is for
On most prescriptions, sphere, cylinder and axis are your distance correction. The ADD is the extra power for reading up close.
We make lenses to the numbers your eye doctor wrote. If you aren’t sure what your prescription is for, your eye doctor can tell you.
Shop
Frames for your prescription
Every prescription frame we sell comes in single vision and progressive.
How it works
From your prescription to your door
Pick a frame and your lenses
Choose single vision or progressive. Eyeglasses come with clear lenses or our Indoor / Outdoor lens tint option. Sunglasses come with Grey or Brown Polarized lenses.
Add your prescription and PD
Upload a photo of your prescription when you order, or send it afterward from the link we email you. Our team reviews every prescription before we start.
We make them in about two weeks
We digitally surface, coat and edge your lenses in our California lab. Shipping is free and takes about three days.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell if my progressive lenses are made right?
The usual problem is the height of the reading zone, not the power. If you can’t find the reading zone, or distance looks soft straight ahead, we can move the zone. How progressive lenses work covers what to check.
What does ADD mean on a glasses prescription?
Look for a number in the ADD column. ADD is the extra near-vision power your eye doctor prescribed for reading. If your prescription has one, you can order progressive lenses. If it doesn’t, single vision is the lens that matches it.
Is my prescription for distance or reading?
On most prescriptions, sphere, cylinder and axis correct your distance vision. The ADD is extra power for reading. If you aren’t sure, ask your eye doctor.
What do OD and OS mean?
OD is your right eye. OS is your left eye. Some prescriptions write R and L instead.
Do you make lenses with prism?
Yes. If your prescription includes prism, we make your lenses to it. Our team reviews every prescription before we start.
Can I use my contact lens prescription?
Any licensed eye doctor’s eyeglass prescription works. Upload a photo or PDF when you order, or send it later from the link we email you. A contact lens prescription measures something different, so we can’t use one. Our team reviews every prescription before we start.
Where do I find my PD?
PD is the distance between the centers of your pupils, in millimeters. It centers each lens in front of your eye. It’s often written on the prescription. If it isn’t, our PD tool measures it from a photo, or you can send it after you order.
Can you read my prescription for me?
Yes. Upload a photo of it to Read My Rx at the top of this page. It reads the values and tells you which lens type they call for. We make lenses to the numbers your eye doctor wrote and don’t change them.
Your prescription
Lenses made to the numbers your eye doctor wrote.
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