Your Prescription, Decoded
Everything you need to understand your eyeglass prescription and get it to us. Takes about two minutes.
Five Numbers.
That's the Whole Rx.
Your eye doctor writes these on every prescription. Here's what they mean and which ones we need.
Your lens power. Negative = nearsighted. Positive = farsighted. Listed for each eye.
Astigmatism correction. Always come as a pair. If blank on your Rx, you don't have astigmatism - leave empty.
For progressive (multifocal) lenses. If present, it means your doctor prescribed progressives. We don't offer progressives yet - but we will soon.
Often listed as one number (e.g. 63) or two (e.g. 31/32). If your Rx includes it, enter it. If not, our scan measures it more precisely.
| Sphere | Cylinder | Axis | ADD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OD (Right) | -2.25 | -0.75 | 180 | - |
| OS (Left) | -1.75 | -0.50 | 175 | - |
What Each Number Means
No medical degree required. Here's the plain-English version.
Sphere
The main power of your lens. A negative number means you're nearsighted (trouble seeing far away). Positive means farsighted (trouble seeing up close).
Cylinder
Corrects astigmatism - where your eye is not perfectly round. Not everyone has it. If your Rx shows CYL as blank or "SPH," you can skip this field.
Axis
A number from 1 to 180 that describes the angle of your astigmatism. Always paired with Cylinder. If you have CYL, you will also have Axis.
Add Power
Additional magnification for reading, used in progressive (multifocal) lenses. Usually appears on prescriptions for patients 40+. Same value for both eyes.
Pupillary Distance
The distance between the centers of your pupils, measured in millimeters. Some doctors list one number (binocular PD, e.g. 63mm). Some list two numbers (monocular PD, e.g. 31/32mm). Your Rx may or may not include this.
OD and OS:
Right Eye Is Always First
Every prescription lists your right eye (OD) on top and your left eye (OS) on the bottom. When you enter your Rx, keep this order.
Prescriptions Come in
Many Formats
Yours might look like one of these. The same five numbers, just laid out differently.
Printed / Computerized
Clean grid format from an optometrist's office. SPH, CYL, Axis clearly labeled in columns. PD usually at the bottom.
Handwritten
Written by the doctor on a prescription pad. Values are the same - just harder to read. Tip: ask your doctor for a printed copy.
Patient Portal Screenshot
Downloaded from your eye doctor's online portal. Screenshot works fine - just make sure all values are visible and legible.
Three Ways to Share Your Rx
Choose whichever is easiest. We accept all three.
Photo Upload
Snap a photo of your Rx card with your phone. Upload it during checkout or in your account. We'll read the values and enter them for you.
Manual Entry
Enter your SPH, CYL, Axis, and PD directly. Best if you have your Rx card in hand. OD (right eye) first, then OS (left eye).
Email It to Us
Forward your Rx to [email protected] with your order number. Our team will enter it and confirm via email within one business day.
Not sure which to choose? Photo upload is the fastest for most people. If your Rx is hard to read, email it and let us handle the details.
Is Your Prescription Current?
In most states, eyeglass prescriptions are valid for one to two years from the date of your eye exam. We need a current, unexpired prescription to make your lenses.
Expiration Varies by State
California: 2 years
Texas: 1 year
New York: 1-2 years (varies by provider)
Florida: 2 years
Taking a Good Rx Photo
Prescription Questions
Yes - if you want non-prescription (plano) lenses. You'll still get blue light filter, anti-glare coating, UV protection, and scratch resistance included. During checkout, select "No Prescription" as your lens option.