How do I read my prescription?

Contact lens prescriptions are made up of a range of parameters, each indicating some aspect of the shape of the lens. All of these parameters are displayed on the packaging of the contact lenses you are currently wearing, on your written prescription, or are available from your Optometrist or Ophthalmologist. Eye care professionals are required to provide a copy of your prescription, both upon completion of the fitting and on your request at a later date.

These are the Basic Parameters of a Contact Lens Prescription:

OD = right eye
OS = left eye
Lens Name (eg. Acuvue)
Base Curve (a number between 8.0 and 10.0)
Diameter (a number between 13.0 and 15.0)
Power / Sphere / Rx (a number between -20.00 and +20.00)

Astigmatic (Toric) Prescriptions also include:

Cylinder (a number between -4.00 and +4.00)
Axis (a number between 0? and 180?)
Cylinder and Axis are generally separated by "X" and read as "times"

Other Prescriptions might also include:

Add (Bifocal and Multi-focal Parameter indicating the Power)
Color (a word or short phrase)

Sample Prescriptions:
A regular prescription would look like this:

OS -
Brand name: Acuvue 2
BC: 8.3
DIA: 14.0
SPHERE: -2.50


OD -
Brand Name: Acuvue 2
BC: 8.3
DIA: 14.0
SPHERE: -2.75

A Toric Prescription would look like this:

OS -
Brand name: Soflens 66 Toric
BC: 8.5
DIA: 14.5
SPHERE: -2.50
CYL & AXIS: -0.75 X 180?

OD -
Brand name: Soflens 66 Toric
BC: 8.5
DIA: 14.5
SPHERE: -4.50
CYL & AXIS: -0.75 X 180?

Contact lens prescriptions may appear to be overly complicated, but they are in fact quite straightforward.The information should be displayed on both your prescription and your current contact lens packaging. If you are having trouble, please contact our Customer Service Department for further assistance.