How to Read Your Prescription
Your eyeglasses are a personalized blueprint for how your lenses will help you see. Understanding each element of your prescription helps you make precise choices when selecting lenses, coatings, or comparing options.
Where Your Prescription Comes From
After a routine eye exam, your optometrist will give you a written prescription, typically valid for 1–2 years.
When you shop with MultiFolks, you can:
- Upload a photo or scanned copy directly, or
- Enter the values manually using our guided form.
Either way, our licensed opticians verify every detail before your glasses are made.
The Essentials, Explained Simply
Most prescriptions include these key terms (do not worry — they are simpler than they sound):
1. OD & OS
These are just abbreviations in Latin:
- OD (Oculus Dexter) – your right eye.
- OS (Oculus Sinister) – your left eye.
Each eye can have different correction needs, so they are listed separately.
2. SPH (Sphere)
This is the main number that corrects nearsightedness or farsightedness:
- A minus (–) sign means you are nearsighted (clear close-up, blurry far away).
- A plus (+) sign means you are farsighted (clear far away, blurry up close).
The bigger the number, the stronger the correction.
3. CYL (Cylinder) and Axis
These two work together to correct astigmatism — a common condition where the eye is not perfectly round.
- CYL shows how much correction is needed.
- Axis (1 to 180 degrees) shows where to apply it.
If you do not have astigmatism, these fields may be blank.
4. ADD (Addition)
This is the near-vision boost added to your regular prescription, most often needed if you are over 40.
- It is what allows multifocal (progressive) lenses to help you see clearly up close, mid-range (like a laptop), and far away — all in one lens.
- Typical values look like +1.25, +2.00, and so on.
5. PD (Pupillary Distance)
This is the distance between the centers of your pupils. It ensures your lenses are perfectly aligned with your eyes for comfort and clarity.
- Sometimes your optometrist includes it.
- If not, MultiFolks measures it for you automatically using our AI-powered face scan during checkout (accurate to within ±1mm).
A Sample Prescription
Here is how a typical prescription might look:
| Eye | SPH | CYL | Axis | ADD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OD | - | - | 180 | +2.0 |
| Eye | SPH | CYL | Axis | ADD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Right) | 2.50 | 0.75 | 0 | 0 |
| OS (Left) | 2.00 | 0.50 | 170 | +2.00 |
This person is nearsighted in both eyes, has mild astigmatism, and needs a boost for near vision — making them an ideal candidate for progressive (multifocal) lenses.
What About Contact Lens Prescriptions?
These are different from eyeglass prescriptions because they include additional measurements like base curve and diameter.
You cannot use contact lens prescription for glasses. Always use the prescription written specifically for eyeglasses.
What If I Do not Understand My Prescription?
No worries. If you are unsure:
- Upload a photo of your prescription.
- Our opticians will interpret it for you.
- If anything is missing or unclear, reach out before making your lenses.
Why It is Worth Understanding
Knowing what each part of your prescription means helps you:
- Choose lenses confidently.
- Understand why certain coatings (like anti-reflective or blue light filters) may help.
- Select the right lens thickness (especially for higher prescriptions).
At MultiFolks, we believe great vision starts with understanding your needs — and we make sure your lenses match them perfectly.