If you want vision correction, you have two general options: eyeglasses and contact lenses. Eyeglasses are more common, but many people also choose contact lenses for their eyes. If you’re a good candidate, your optometrist will conduct a lens fitting and evaluation as part of the exam. After this, you’ll be provided with your contact lens prescription.
Looking at this prescription can be confusing, especially if you’re wearing contacts for the first time. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a doctor to understand all the numbers and abbreviations written on it. Opti-Care is here to help.
Decoding What OD and OS Mean
After the eye exam, one of the first things you may see on your prescription are the abbreviations OD and OS. Basically, they abbreviate the Latin words “oculus dexter” and “oculus sinister”, which mean “right eye” and “left eye” respectively. Sometimes, you may see a column labeled “OU”, which abbreviates the term “oculus uterque”, meaning “both eyes”.
Other Terms and Abbreviations
Aside from these basic words, you may also encounter other terms and abbreviations in your contact lens prescription, such as:
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Power, PWR, Sphere, or SPH – Typically listed after OD, OS, or OU, they determine the strength of correction necessary for that specific eye.
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Base Curve or BC – It measures the curve of the inner portion of your lens, usually ranging from eight to 10.
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Diameter of DIA – It shows the width of the contact lens you’re getting from edge to edge, measured by millimeters.
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Brand – This is the name of the particular contact lens type or brand you’ve been prescribed.
If there are other terms listed in your prescription that you find hard to understand or if you have any further questions about your prescriptions, you may contact an optometrist here at Opti-Care. Schedule an appointment by calling (410) 795-8670 or by filling out our contact form. We serve residents in Westminster, Marriottsville, MD, and the surrounding Maryland communities.