{"id":1026,"date":"2022-09-29T10:59:22","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T14:59:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=1026"},"modified":"2026-04-02T03:12:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:12:27","slug":"how-to-read-contact-prescription","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/how-to-read-contact-prescription","title":{"rendered":"How To Read a Contact Lens Prescription"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Understanding your contact lens prescription can be tough if you aren\u2019t familiar with the different numbers and abbreviations that eye doctors use. Looking at it, you might be wondering: Which numbers correspond to which eye? Where\u2019s the strength of my contact prescription? And what is \u201cBC\u201d? (Hint: It\u2019s not British Columbia.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There may even be more information on your contact prescription than your glasses prescription\u2014and yes, the two prescriptions are different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, learning how to read your contact prescription is easy. We\u2019ll go over all the terms you\u2019re likely to see for the different types of contact lenses<\/a>, whether your prescription is on paper or on a box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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Peep this<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t

We offer prescription glasses starting at $95, with free shipping and free returns<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind your frames <\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
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Contact Prescription Abbreviations and Terms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your contact lens prescription probably looks like a small table or grid. In that grid, you\u2019ll see a mix of letters and numbers, each one corresponding to a crucial element of your prescription.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because many people need different levels or kinds of vision correction in each eye, contact lens prescriptions usually have two sets of numbers on them\u2014one for your right eye, and one for your left<\/a>. Here are the abbreviations you\u2019ll almost always see on any contact prescription: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

OD: <\/strong>Oculus dexter, meaning your right eye. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

OS: <\/strong>Oculus sinister, meaning your left eye. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brand: <\/strong>The brand of contact lenses prescribed by your optometrist<\/a>. Different brands have different features and measurements. You can only order the brand that\u2019s listed on your prescription\u2014if you ever want to switch brands or try a new one, let your optometrist know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BC: <\/strong>BC stands for base curve, which is the curvature of your contact lens (you wouldn\u2019t find this abbreviation on a glasses prescription). It\u2019s measured in millimeters (mm) and should align well with the curvature of your eye. It\u2019s always a number between 8 and 9. Some brands of contacts only come in a single base curve, and may not have a number listed. And, if you switch brands, you might get prescribed a different base curve. There are minute variations in fit across manufacturers, so it\u2019s always important to consult with an optometrist before changing the contacts you wear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DIA: <\/strong>DIA stands for diameter, which is the full width of your contact lens (this is another abbreviation exclusive to contacts). It\u2019s also measured in millimeters. Your contact lens diameter should fit comfortably over your cornea, and is typically between 14 to 14.5. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

PWR\/SPH: <\/strong>PWR or SPH stand for power or sphere, respectively. These terms are interchangeable, and they refer to the strength of your prescription. You\u2019ll see a positive or negative number in this field. It represents the power of vision correction you need in diopters<\/a>. These values can vary between your glasses and contacts prescriptions. Negative numbers correspond to nearsightedness<\/a>, and positive numbers correspond to farsightedness<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expiration Date:<\/strong> Most contact prescriptions expire in 1 to 2 years<\/a> (expiration dates do vary from state to state, however). You\u2019ll need to renew or update your prescription by this date if you want to order new contacts<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Read a Contact Lens Prescription for Astigmatism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have astigmatism<\/a> in one or both eyes, you\u2019ll notice two additional terms and numbers on your prescription for toric contact lenses<\/a>. (Note that in some cases, you might have an astigmatism for your glasses<\/a> prescription, but not for your contacts.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CYL: <\/strong>CYL stands for cylinder. If you have astigmatism, you\u2019ll need a cylindrical rather than a spherical lens. That\u2019s just a technical way of saying that the lens will correct your vision differently in different areas of the eye. The cylinder portion of your contact prescription is measured in diopters and represents the severity of your astigmatism. It can be a positive or negative number. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

AXIS: <\/strong>Axis is measured in degrees and always accompanies the cylinder measurement on a contact prescription. The axis tells you where your astigmatism is located and how it\u2019s oriented on your eye. It\u2019s always between 0 and 180 degrees.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Read a Multifocal Contact Lens Prescription for Presbyopia <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have presbyopia<\/a> and are a good candidate for multifocal contact lenses<\/a>, you\u2019ll see one or both of the following terms on your prescription. Sometimes these are referred to as progressive contacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADD: <\/strong>ADD stands for addition or additional magnification. It might also be listed as \u201cAdd Power\u201d or \u201cExtra Strength.\u201d This is another measure of vision correction for near vision that will help with close-up tasks. It will either be a number in diopters, or be a written level: low, medium, or high. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

D\/N: <\/strong>D\/N stands for dominant or nondominant eye\u2014multifocal and bifocal contacts have different levels of vision correction for each. Your dominant eye<\/a> is associated with distance vision, and your nondominant eye is associated with near vision. Only some brands of multifocal contacts use D\/N, so you might not see this term on your prescription.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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Need a contact lens exam?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t

Our top-notch optometrists can check your eyes<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBook an appointment <\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
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What Does a Contact Lens Prescription Look Like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Below are a few examples of what your contact lens prescription might look like, depending on the type of vision correction you need. See if you can identify and interpret all of the abbreviations we listed above!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example of a Contact Lens Prescription for Nearsightedness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Example of a Contact Lens Prescription for Astigmatism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Example of a Contact Lens Prescription for Presbyopia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n

How To Read a Contact Lens Prescription on the Box<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Contact lens prescription details are often printed on the side of the box of contacts. These can look slightly different from the actual prescription you receive after a contact lens exam<\/a> (for instance, the prescription expiration date and your doctor\u2019s information will not be on the box), but the prescription strength information should all match up. Look for the familiar abbreviations and terms and ensure that they align with your prescription from the optometrist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Understanding Your Contact Lens Prescription Helps You To Know Your Eyes Better<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Any product that\u2019s going into (or on top of) your eyes shouldn\u2019t be a mystery. Contact lens prescriptions might seem like they\u2019re written in a secret code at first, but they\u2019re easily decipherable once you know what all those abbreviations and numbers mean. By learning how to read your contact prescription, you\u2019re taking charge of your eye health! <\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Understanding your contact lens prescription can be tough if you aren\u2019t familiar with the different numbers and abbreviations that eye doctors use. Looking at it, you might be wondering: Which numbers correspond to which eye? Where\u2019s the strength of my contact prescription? And what is \u201cBC\u201d? (Hint: It\u2019s not British Columbia.)  There may even be […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":1027,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,9,6,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eyewear","category-contacts","category-eye-health","category-how-to"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Read Your Contact Lens Prescription | Warby Parker<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What does \u201cBC\u201d mean, and where do you find your prescription strength? 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