How to Read Eye Prescriptions like an Expert

Protect your vision

It’s becoming increasingly important to know how to read eye prescriptions. After all, e-commerce eyewear brands are more popular than ever, and there are plenty of opportunities to purchase a wide variety of glasses online – from sunglasses and prescription glasses to blue light glasses and reading glasses.

At first glance, it can be hard to understand how an optical prescription works. But with a few key insights, you can quickly get to grips with the ins and outs of eye prescriptions, giving you the chance to explore a wide range of glasses without the need to consult an optician.

Here’s our snapshot guide on how to read eye prescriptions like a pro:

SHOP PRESCRIPTION GLASSES

Glasses prescriptions 101

Prescriptions for eyeglasses are typically represented by a series of numbers listed under different headings: OS, OD and OU.

These refer to Latin acronyms:

- OS: oculus sinister, referring to the left eye

- OD: oculus dextrus, for the right eye

- OU: oculus uterque, both eyes.

Although these are still the most common terms used for prescription glasses, some opticians have started to modernize their prescriptions with the use of RE, for the right eye and LE for the left eye.