>Hello Sohib EditorOnline, welcome to our article about cara membaca resep kacamata. If you’ve ever been to an optician or ophthalmologist, you might have been given a prescription for glasses or contact lenses. However, understanding how to read the prescription can be confusing and even intimidating. With this guide, we hope to simplify the process and help you understand what all those numbers and terms mean.
Understanding the Basics of a Glasses Prescription
Before we dive into the specifics of how to read a prescription for glasses, let’s go over some general information about what a prescription entails. A glasses prescription typically includes the following elements:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Sphere (SPH) | Indicates the amount of nearsightedness or farsightedness |
| Cylinder (CYL) | Indicates the amount of astigmatism (blurry vision at all distances) |
| Axis | Indicates the orientation of the astigmatism |
| Addition (ADD) | Indicates the amount of magnification needed for reading or close work (for bifocals or progressive lenses) |
| Prism | Indicates the amount and direction of eye muscle misalignment (used for double vision or eye strain) |
| Base | Indicates the direction of the prism |
Now that we have a general understanding of what can be included in a glasses prescription, let’s take a closer look at how to interpret each element.
How to Read Sphere (SPH) on a Glasses Prescription
The sphere (SPH) is one of the most important elements of a glasses prescription, as it indicates whether you are nearsighted (myopia) or farsighted (hyperopia). The SPH is measured in units called “diopters” and can be a positive or negative number. A positive number indicates farsightedness, while a negative number indicates nearsightedness. The further away the SPH is from zero, the stronger the prescription.
For example, if your prescription reads -2.50, you have moderate nearsightedness. If your prescription reads +3.00, you have moderate farsightedness. If your prescription reads 0.00, you have perfect vision (assuming no other vision problems).
It’s important to note that the SPH only measures the amount of nearsightedness or farsightedness, not astigmatism or other vision problems. We’ll cover those elements in the next sections.
Nearsightedness (Myopia)
If you are nearsighted, it means you have trouble seeing objects far away but can see objects up close relatively clearly. Nearsightedness is indicated by a negative SPH value. The further away the SPH is from zero, the more nearsighted you are.
For example, if your prescription reads -1.00, you have mild nearsightedness. If your prescription reads -5.00, you have severe nearsightedness.
Farsightedness (Hyperopia)
If you are farsighted, it means you have trouble seeing objects up close but can see objects far away relatively clearly. Farsightedness is indicated by a positive SPH value. The further away the SPH is from zero, the more farsighted you are.
For example, if your prescription reads +1.00, you have mild farsightedness. If your prescription reads +4.00, you have severe farsightedness.
How to Read Cylinder (CYL) on a Glasses Prescription
The cylinder (CYL) indicates the amount of astigmatism, which is a condition where the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) is irregularly shaped, causing blurry vision at all distances. Astigmatism is measured in units called “diopters” and can be a positive or negative number. If your prescription includes a cylinder value, it means you have astigmatism.
The cylinder value can range from 0.25 to 4.00 (or higher in some cases), with higher values indicating more severe astigmatism. The cylinder value can be either positive or negative, depending on the shape and orientation of the cornea.
For example, if your prescription reads -1.50 -1.00 x 180, it means you have moderate nearsightedness, moderate astigmatism, and the astigmatism is oriented horizontally (at 180 degrees). The second number (-1.00) indicates the amount of astigmatism, and the “x 180” indicates the orientation (in this case, horizontal).
How to Read Axis on a Glasses Prescription
The axis indicates the orientation of the astigmatism. It is measured in degrees from 1 to 180, with 90 degrees representing vertical orientation and 180 degrees representing horizontal orientation. The axis is always included with the cylinder value, as it indicates the direction of the astigmatism.
For example, if your prescription reads -2.00 -1.50 x 90, it means you have moderate nearsightedness, moderate astigmatism, and the astigmatism is oriented vertically (at 90 degrees).
How to Read Addition (ADD) on a Glasses Prescription
The addition (ADD) indicates the amount of magnification needed for reading or close work, and is typically only included on prescriptions for bifocals or progressive lenses. The ADD value is measured in diopters and can range from +0.75 to +3.00 (or higher in some cases). The higher the ADD value, the more magnification is needed for close work.
For example, if your prescription reads +2.50 +1.50 x 90 ADD +2.00, it means you have moderate farsightedness, moderate astigmatism, and the astigmatism is oriented vertically (at 90 degrees). You also need an additional +2.00 diopters of magnification for reading or close work.
How to Read Prism and Base on a Glasses Prescription
The prism and base indicate the amount and direction of eye muscle misalignment, which can cause double vision or eye strain. The prism value is measured in prism diopters (pd) and can be a positive or negative number. The base indicates the direction of the prism, with “up” indicating upward eye movement, “down” indicating downward eye movement, “in” indicating inward eye movement, and “out” indicating outward eye movement.
For example, if your prescription reads 0.50 0.25 x 90 Prism 2.00 Base Up, it means you have mild farsightedness, mild astigmatism, and a prism value of 2.00 in the “up” direction, indicating upward eye movement.
FAQ
What does OD and OS mean on a glasses prescription?
OD stands for “oculus dexter,” which is Latin for “right eye.” OS stands for “oculus sinister,” which is Latin for “left eye.” These abbreviations are used to indicate which eye the prescription applies to.
What does OU mean on a glasses prescription?
OU stands for “oculus uterque,” which is Latin for “both eyes.” This abbreviation is used to indicate that the prescription applies to both eyes.
What is the difference between single vision lenses and multifocal lenses?
Single vision lenses have the same prescription throughout the entire lens and are used for one type of vision correction (nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism). Multifocal lenses, such as bifocals or progressive lenses, have different prescriptions in different parts of the lens to correct for both near and far vision.
How often should I get my eyes checked?
It’s recommended to get a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years, depending on your age and overall health. If you have a history of eye problems or wear glasses or contact lenses, you may need to get your eyes checked more frequently.
Can I order glasses online with my prescription?
Yes, many online retailers offer prescription glasses and contact lenses. However, it’s important to make sure you have a current and accurate prescription, as well as accurate measurements of your pupillary distance (the distance between your pupils).
What should I do if my glasses prescription doesn’t seem right?
If you notice any issues with your vision or the fit of your glasses, contact your optician or ophthalmologist right away. It’s important to make sure your prescription is accurate and up-to-date, as well as to check for any other vision problems that may be causing issues.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped demystify the process of reading a glasses prescription. Remember, if you have any questions or concerns about your prescription, don’t hesitate to reach out to your optician or ophthalmologist. And if you’re ordering glasses or contact lenses online, make sure you have a current and accurate prescription and pupillary distance before making a purchase.