How do I read my child's prescription?Updated 18 days ago
Reading an eye prescription can feel like deciphering a secret code. SPH? CYL? PD? What does it all mean?
Let’s break it down, so you know exactly what your child’s prescription says about their vision needs.
Key Terms on an Eye Prescription
🔹 SPH (Sphere): This tells you how much correction is needed for nearsightedness (-) or farsightedness (+). If there is no correction for this on the prescription you may see 0.00 or plano written in the Sphere box.
🔹 CYL (Cylinder): If there’s a number here, it means your child has astigmatism, which affects how light enters the eye. If there is no correction for this on the prescription you may see it left blank or the doctor may enter the letters SPH to notate that there is no cylinder correction for that eye.
🔹 AXIS: This works with CYL to determine the exact angle needed to correct astigmatism. If you have a number in the CYL box there will also be an AXIS value as well.
🔹 PD (Pupillary Distance): The measurement between the centers of your child’s pupils—important for getting lenses perfectly aligned within the frames they will be wearing.
🔹 ADD: If present, this means additional magnification for near tasks (usually for bifocals or progressive lenses). While we do not currently carry bifocals or progressive lenses we can offer the following options if your child has an ADD value on thier prescription:
💡 Why This Matters: Understanding these numbers helps you feel confident when ordering glasses online!
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