Optical Myths: Let’s Discuss… (Vol. 1)

So, we’ve all heard or said something about eyewear that may not be quite so accurate and we may not know exactly where it came from. There are things that seem to just “Stick” in our memory without any real knowledge of whether or not it’s true; but it SOUNDS plausible.

In this post, we’ll explore a few of these items and give some insight on the truth behind some of the “Optical Myths”.

So, let’s uncover some optical items that are widely spoken about but may not be completely accurate;

“Wearing my prescription eyeglasses are making my vision worse”

“This is one of the most common myths we encounter. As we age, our vision normally changes as our natural lens inside our eye changes and your vision can get worse on its own. Glasses are not contributing to any degeneration of your eyesight. Glasses refract your vision by simply adjusting the direction of light onto your retina. Your vision may appear “worse” after wearing the glasses, but that’s only because your perception is changing now that you are getting used to seeing things more clearly.” – Dr. Dana Gampel, O.D.

“The medicine in my lenses aren’t strong enough”

“Glasses don’t actually have “medicine” in them. The lenses inside your spectacles are shaped in a way that bends light entering your eye to focus it directly on your retina. This is how it creates a clear image for your brain to process.” -Dr. Dana Gampel, O.D.

As well as prescription glasses not having “medicine” in them, it’s important to note that the discomfort or ineffectiveness you may be experiencing with your eyewear may simply be the need for a new prescription. Consult your local Optometrist or a trusted Licensed Optician to schedule a comprehensive eye exam at your earliest convenience.

“Why can’t I just get over-the-counter distance glasses?”

“Over the Counter distance glasses may not correct your vision to the extent needed. These glasses will not correct for myopia and do not include any correction for astigmatism. Also, these glasses cannot accommodate for those who have a different prescription for each eye.” -Dr. Dana Gampel, O.D.

Over the Counter glasses are basically used for those that need reading glasses, helping them read or see smaller items up close. There are a few common names for over-the-counter glasses, such as “cheater readers”, “readers”, and “magnifiers” just to name a few.

As always, “To look and see your best, a Licensed Optician is your Vision Expert”. Contact your Eye Doctor or a trusted Licensed Optician for more information about eye exams and overall eye health.

Glasses: How to read your Eyeglass (Spectacle) Prescription

*Sample Prescription*

So, you’ve got a new prescription for glasses and you’re not quite sure what it all means. Maybe you’d like to order glasses online or you just want to be informed on what your prescription is actually saying about your vision.

Eye Doctor’s prescriptions can look very different depending on the office you visit. Although the physical prescription may look a bit different, generally it will have all the items necessary to produce you a pair of glasses with your prescribed prescription.

Let’s dig into how to read your Spectacle Prescription and what everything on it means.

(Above is a sample eyeglass prescription. Each section is lettered to help you identify what each section is for)

Let’s dig in:

A: This is where the distinction between eyes are. “O.D.” relates to your Right Eye and “O.S.” relates to your Left Eye. The “O.D.” and “O.S.” are both acronyms, meaning “Oculus Dextrus” and “Oculus Sinister” in Latin.

B: This is where the “Sphere Power” of your prescription is placed. These figures generally go from “+/- 0.00 or PLANO” and usually increase by “+/- 0.25” increments.

C: This is the cylindrical portion of your prescription. Not everyone will have figures in this section. This is where your doctor will document the Astigmatism portion of your prescription, if you indeed have astigmatism.

D: This portion is your optical axis. The figures in this area go from 1-Degree up to 180-Degrees. The only time you will see any figures in this are is if you have a Cylindrical Power (Astigmatism). The axis, simply put, references the light passing through your eye at a certain angle. If there are no Cylinder Power values on your prescription for a certain eye, there should be no Axis values.

E: “ADD” or “ADD Power” is for patients that need a bit more assistance seeing up close. The “ADD Power” is exactly as it sounds; its additional strength ADDED to your prescription to help you see up close. This section will not have values for every patient, just those that require that additional help. The “ADD Power” will usually be in decimal form, ranging from +0.75 and usually up to as much as +4.00 and generally increases in 0.25 increments. If a patient does require an ADD Power above a +4.00 or below +0.75, your Licensed Optician can make the necessary arrangements to get any specialty lenses ordered for you.

F: The “Prism” on a prescription is for patients that require a specific type of vision correction. Usually, when Prism is prescribed, the doctor it trying to correct an ocular anomaly. Prism can be prescribed for many reason, but some common reasons are to correct double vision, to help visually balance the appearance of your eyes (for patients with ocular imbalances), for vision therapy and many other optical anomalies. A Prism tests will usually be performed by your doctor during your eye exam. Not everyone requires Prism in their prescription, so you likely wont see any figures in this field of your prescription. If you do require Prism, partner with your Eye Doctor and your Licensed Optician to ensure the correct prism is ordered for you as well as ensuring the aesthetic look of your eyewear will be appealing.

G: The “P.D.” or “Pupillary Distance” references the distance from the center of one pupil to the center of the other, in millimeters. When taken correctly, this measurement will aid in getting the Optical Center (the pin-point of your prescription) centered over your pupil so you can see the sharpest. Many times, the doctor will not have this measurement included in the prescription and you may have to get an optical professional to measure this for you. The “P.D.” isn’t generally something the doctor looks for during an Eye Exam, mainly because the distance between your eyes don’t really change what your prescription will be. The Pupillary Distance is generally taken by the Optician or Optical Staff during a transaction for glasses. The PD is a measurement necessary for the processing of prescription eyewear. If your doctor supplies the Pupillary Distance as a part of your prescription, keep it handy. If it is not supplied on your prescription, your Licensed Optician or Optical Expert can take this measurement for you as you place your order.

There are many ways to get a Pupillary Distance (Virtual, Digital, Predictive, etc.), but the most accurate will always be one taken by an Optical Professional.

H: In this section, this is where the doctor will usually make any additional recommendations for your prescription or vision needs. Sometimes, instead of “Notes”, this section may say “Recommendations” or something that will allow the doctor give additional information. This is where the doctor can communicate with the Optical Expert on what additional items are recommended for the patient’s vision care needs. Some items may be optional and others may be a vision necessity. Consult your Eye Doctor and your Licensed Optician to determine which items are a necessity and which are an option.

Contact Lenses: How to read your Contact Lens Prescription

*Sample Prescription*

So, you’ve got a new prescription for Contact Lenses and you’re not quite sure what it all means. Maybe you’d like to order Contacts online or you just want to be informed on what your prescription is actually saying about your vision.

Eye Doctor’s prescriptions can look very different depending on the office you visit. Although the physical prescription may look a bit different, generally it will have all the items necessary to get you the Contact Lens product that the Eye Doctor has prescribed for you.

Let’s dig into how to read your Contact Lens Prescription and what everything on it means.

(Above is a sample Contact Lens prescription. Each section is lettered to help you identify what each section is used for.)

Let’s dig in:

A: This is where the distinction between eyes are. “O.D.” relates to your Right Eye and “O.S.” relates to your Left Eye. The “O.D.” and “O.S.” are both acronyms, meaning “Oculus Dextrus” and “Oculus Sinister” in Latin.

B: This is where the “Sphere Power” of your prescription is placed. These figures generally go from “+/- 0.00 or PLANO” and usually increase by “+/- 0.25” increments.

C: This is the cylindrical portion of your prescription. Not everyone will have figures in this section. This is where your doctor will document the Astigmatism portion of your prescription, if you indeed have astigmatism.

D: This portion is your optical axis. The figures in this area go from 1-Degree up to 180-Degrees. The only time you will see any figures in this are is if you have a Cylindrical Power (Astigmatism). The axis, simply put, references the light passing through your eye at a certain angle. If there are no Cylinder Power values on your prescription for a certain eye, there should be no Axis values.

E: The “B.C.” or “Base Curve” refers to the Contact Lens curvature that the doctor has found best suits the curve of your cornea. This, along with the “Diameter”, are one of the reasons why the Contact Lens exam is so important. It’s the best way to get the most accurate fit for your Contact Lenses. Each contact lens may have a different “B.C.” and you want to get the one that works best for you, specifically. The figures in this field will be in decimal form, generally between 7.x and 9.x (‘X’ is whatever readings the doctor supplies).

F: The “DIA” or “Diameter” refers to the size of the contact lens. When performing a Contact Lens exam, the doctor will determine which lens is the correct curvature as well as the correct size or “Diameter”. Since most common contact lenses are generally circular, the size is measured from one end of the circle to the other end. The purpose of selecting the correct diameter is to ensure maximum breathability for your eyes and the lenses and maximum comfort while wearing the lens. If the lens is too big or too small, you could experience visual discomfort as well as physical discomfort while wearing the lenses. The figures in this area are also in decimal form, generally between 13.x and 15.x (‘X’ is whatever readings the doctor supplies)

G: The “Mult. Power” or “Multifocal Power” would be used for patients who require a Multifocal contact lens. This selection is mostly used for presbyopic (people that need additional help seeing up close) patients. The doctor will generally signify a Hi-Add, Med-Add or Lo-Add for the patients that require these lenses. If neither one of those selections are specified, the doctor may opt to write out the actual ADD POWER. Your Licensed Optician can determine, based on the prescription, which ADD POWER to order for you.

H: This area can be a bit tricky at times as some doctors may give a few options for different Contact Lenses. But, this area is where the doctor will prescribe a specific BRAND of contact lens based on all the figures and findings explained above. Not every brand has ALL prescription strengths or cover every Base Curve & Diameter. Many brands are limited to a specific set of values. So, the doctor, along with your guidance, will prescribe the brand that is best you (Visually & Comfort-wise) and fits your eyes the best, based on the exam findings.

There are many different types of contact lenses and a wide array of applications for each. The sample and explanations above reference standard soft contact lenses that are commonly used in most optical practices. If a more specialized contact lens is required, many of the explanations above will still apply, but there may be a few additional items that the doctor must supply for the Optician to get the correct lens ordered for you. Consult your Eye Doctor and your Licensed Optician if you’d like to try contact lenses for the first time or get a renewal on your last contact lens prescription.