UNDERSTANDING OPTICAL PRESCRIPTIONS

With its complicated lexicon and more numbers than expected, to the untrained eye, an optical prescription can look like a secret code. Although you won't be the one translating it, we want you to feel empowered when it comes to your eye health.

Sphere - SPH

The distance element of your prescription, indicating how strong your lens needs to be to correct being nearsightedness (-) or farsightedness (+).

Cylinder - CYL

Otherwise known as your astigmatism, it indicates the shape of your eye. This measures the degree of lens adjustment needed to compensate for a non-spherical eye.

AXIS

Paired with your cylinder reading, the axis acts as the imaginary line passing through the eye, which pinpoints the exact orientation needed to correct an astigmatism. This will usually be between 1 and 180.

ADD

As we age, the muscles in the eye weaken and struggle to focus on near objects. If you’re a varifocal / prorgressive lens wearer, the add tells you how strong the near vision section of the lens needs to be.

Pupillary Distance - PD, Heights

This is the horizontal measurement between your pupils and vertical indicator of where they sit. We take these in-store to ensure the lenses are perfectly aligned with your eyes.

If you want a personal consultation regarding your prescription, email us on info@monclondon.com, or visit our Chiltern Street store.