Prescription Information

The prescription which you get from your optician will look something like this:

click to enlarge

The interpupillary distance (IPD) or Pupillary Distance (PD) is the distance between the centre of your pupils (usually measured in mm). The Optician who issued your prescription should have written this on your prescription or will be able to give you the figure. This figure is important to ensure that the position of your prescription lenses in your frame are accurate.

If you do not know your IPD, we can take an average, but it is more accurate to have your own measurement.

Sphere (Sph)

Refers to the power of the lens required to correct your vision. It will have a plus or minus sign in front of the figure and it is important that you include this on the form e.g. +3.00, -2.25

Cylinder (Cyl)

Refers to the curvature of the front of your eye or the amount of astigmatism you have. This will also have a plus or minus sign in front of the figure and it is important that you include this on the form e.g +1.50, -0.75

Axis (of astigmatism)

This is the point at which the astigmatism of the eye is at its highest or lowest. This is measured in degrees e.g 130

Dist (Distance)

Refers to the lens measurements to give clear distance vision

Near refers to the lens measurements for clear reading vision

Prism or Base - if your prescription includes this, please contact us for further advice

If you have any doubt about your prescription, please contact us for further advice or fax or post a copy of your prescription to us and we will be able to interpret it for you.