How do I read my glasses prescription?

Common abbreviations

Below you will find some abbreviations that are often used by ophthalmologists and opticians:

What do the strengths mean?

Prescription strengths are usually expressed in 0.25 diopter increments. Each eye may require a different correction.

For far-sightedness (distance vision)

• Positive values (e.g. +2.00) mean that you are farsighted (hyperopia).
• Negative values (e.g. -3.00) mean that you are nearsighted (myopia).
• Values in parentheses indicate a cylindrical magnification. This corrects astigmatism, or a distorted image. The value in degrees indicated (e.g., 90°) is the axis of the astigmatism.

For close-up viewing (reading section)

When it becomes difficult to see clearly up close, we call this presbyopia. Your prescription will then have an ADD value. The ADD value indicates how much extra strength your lenses need for reading. This value is always positive and usually ranges from +0.50 to +3.50.

Common eye disorders

In optics, the four most common eye abnormalities are:

• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Astigmatism
• Presbyopia (age-related farsightedness)

Hyperopia (farsightedness)

If you have hyperopia, you have difficulty seeing clearly up close. An example of an eye test for someone with hyperopia:

• OD: +2.50 OS: +3.00

It is common for each eye to require an individual prescription.

Myopia (nearsightedness)

If you have myopia, you have blurred distance vision. An example of an eye test for someone with myopia:

• OD: -3.75 OS: -3.25

Astigmatism

If you have astigmatism, you experience blurred or distorted vision at all distances due to an abnormal curvature of the cornea. Astigmatism can be accompanied by hyperopia and nearsightedness.

Examples of eye tests for someone with hyperopia and astigmatism:

• OD: +2.50 (+1.25) 90° OS: +3.00 (+0.75) 85°
• or OD: (90°+1.25) +2.50 OS: (85°+0.75) +3.00

The strength in parentheses indicates the magnitude of the astigmatism. The last value, in degrees, indicates the axis of the astigmatism. Examples of eye tests for someone with myopia and astigmatism:

• OD: -4.50 (+2.00) 35° OS: -3.75 (+1.25) 65°
• OD: -4.50 (+2.00) 35° OS: -3.75 (+1.25) 65°

Presbyopia

If you have presbyopia, you have difficulty reading or seeing up close due to reduced flexibility of the lens of your eye.

We then add a magnifying lens to the lower portion of multifocal lenses to correct presbyopia. Generally, this will range from 0.50 to 3.50.

Example of an eye test for someone with presbyopia and myopia:

• OD: -4.00 add: 2.00 OS: -3.50 add: 2.00

Example of an eye test for someone with hyperopia and presbyopia:

• OD: +2.50 (+0.75) 15° add: 1.75 OS: +2.25 (+0.50) 75° add: 1.75

How to Upload Your Prescription

Ordering glasses online is easy — and uploading your prescription only takes a few seconds!

1. Select Your Frame
   Browse our collection and choose the frame you love.

2. Enter Your Prescription Details
   When customizing your lenses, you’ll be prompted to upload your prescription.

   • You can upload a clear photo or PDF of your prescription directly from your phone or computer.

   • Make sure all the details (SPH, CYL, AXIS, PD, etc.) are visible.

3. Let Our Experts Handle the Rest
   Once uploaded, our optical specialists will carefully verify your prescription before crafting your lenses with precision.

💡 Tip: If you’re unsure about any details, simply contact our support team — we’ll guide you through it step by step.