What Does OD, OS and OU Mean? Decode Your Eyeglass Prescription

Have you ever looked at your eyeglass prescription and thought it resembled a secret code rather than a vision tool? Should you have seen "OD," "OS," and "OU" on your script and questioned their meaning, you are not alone. Commonly used by eye care specialists, these Latin-based acronyms This article will assist you in decoding your prescription so you may confidently read and apply it when placing your next pair of glasses.

Knowing the significance of these acronyms empowers as well as helps. It lets you actively engage in your own eye care path, ask better questions during eye exams, and buy glasses wisely. Whether you're a first-time glasses wearer or just interested about the figures on your script, you are in the correct location.

OD, OS, and OU Let’s decode the most often used eye prescription terminology:

OD is short for oculus dexter, or your right eye.

OS is oculus sinister, or your left eye.

OU is oculus uterque, which means both eyes.

Though they might appear antiquated, optometrists and ophthalmologists all over still use these phrases rather often. When writing prescriptions, they help to rapidly and clearly separate the eyes. Especially in digital prescriptions, other contemporary substitutes you could come across are RE (right eye) and LE (left eye).

When you begin comparing prescriptions across years, or when your eye doctor observes varying conditions or needs for each eye, knowing these differences becomes particularly helpful.

Read eye prescriptions past OD, OS, and OU. Your prescription probably has more values and abbreviations, including:

SPH (Sphere): This indicates the lens strength required to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. Negative values show myopia; positive numbers show hyperopia.

Indicates astigmatism correction: CYL (Cylinder). This number indicates how much extra power is required to fix uneven eye curvature.

Axis: Orientation of the astigmatism correction. From one to 180, it's measured in degrees.

PD (Pupillary Distance): The distance between your pupils, vital for lens alignment to guarantee visual clarity and comfort.

Add: For bifocal or progressive lenses, suggesting greater magnifying power often for reading or close-up work.

Prism: Sometimes used to correct eye alignment concerns, measured in prism diopters.

These numbers combine to produce tailored lenses that highlight your environment. Any of these figures' slight variation could significantly affect your vision and sensation while using your glasses.

Usual prescription layout Though every area has a purpose, your prescription may seem like a spreadsheet of little numbers. Here is a possible layout:

Typically, you'll notice two rows (OD and OS) and columns for SPH, CYL, Axis, PD, and Add. Some medications have doctor notes or prism adjustments. Reading your prescription helps you to realise that the values for each eye are specifically suited to your needs.

Pro Tip: Keep a digital copy or snapshot of your prescription on your phone—super handy when visiting a new optometrist or buying online.

How to enter OD & OS Shopping online with Vooglam？ Keep this in mind:

1. Check again to see if you're inputting values for the left eye (OS) and right eye (OD) in the appropriate areas.
2. Make that the PD value is correct and present. A wrong PD could cause blurred vision or headaches.
3. Enter the Add value precisely for progressive lenses or bifocals.
4. Check to see whether extra notes or prism correction are included in your prescription.

Do you require assistance?

Our Prescription Help Page has a step-by-step tutorial. Our Frame Fit Guide will help you to fit your face shape and personal style as well.

Knowing the fundamentals of OD and OS will also enable you to grasp your eye health.

Vooglam's simplified prescription entry form lets you quickly enter your information and receive frames that suit your lifestyle—without second-guessing. However, here are some typical phrases that could show up:

A condition called anisometropia causes each eye to have different refractive power, thereby calling for separate OD and OS adjustments.

Often impacting one eye more than the other, amblyopia may need for unique lens settings.

Age-related disorder affecting both eyes, presbyopia calls for "Add" values in prescriptions for reading or intermediate vision.

Strabismus: Eye misalignment perhaps including prism correction observed in one eye.

Knowing these diseases can help you to give more significance to your next optometrist visit. You will be able to identify significant words and actively control your eyesight treatment.

Remember: A professional diagnosis cannot be replaced by this paper. For any eye-related issues, always see an optometrist.

Ending Knowing words like OD, OS, and OU helps you to manage your vision requirements. Your prescription is a potent tool with just slight knowledge; it's not a perplexing mix of letters. You now have the insight to make smart eyewear decisions from knowing each element of your prescription to confidently entering it online.

Prepared to apply that information?

Browse Vooglam's selection to discover optical frames that fit both your prescription and your character. Display your vision boldly and confidently.