Read your prescription
Understand the labels, then follow a single-vision example from the prescription to the form.
Start with the right document
Your own current glasses prescription
Check the name, date and intended use. A contact-lens prescription is different. If the document is expired, unclear, or no longer matches your visual needs, contact your eye care professional.
Confirm the viewing purpose
This example is for single-vision distance glasses. Single vision does not mean identical right and left values. If your document has distance and near sections, confirm which complete prescription applies to your order.
From the prescription to the form
EXAMPLE ONLY · Fictional numbers for learning. Never use them for your order.
Fictional teaching example
Single-vision distance glasses
Not a valid prescription. Do not use these numbers for an order.
| Eye | SPH (D) | CYL (D) | Axis (°) | Distance PD (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right / OD / RE | −2.00 | −0.50 | 090 | 31.0 |
| Left / OS / LE | −1.50 | −0.75 | 175 | 32.0 |
This example specifies no ADD or prism. PD is explicitly labeled as separate right and left distance measurements. A blank or unlabeled area on your own document does not establish the same facts.
2Match the actual form fields
Single Vision → Enter Prescription Manually
Right eye / OD
- OD SPH / Right Eye Sphere
- -2.00
- OD CYL / Right Eye Cylinder
- -0.50
- OD AXIS / Right Eye Axis
- 90
Left eye / OS
- OS SPH / Left Eye Sphere
- -1.50
- OS CYL / Left Eye Cylinder
- -0.75
- OS AXIS / Left Eye Axis
- 175
PD ModeDual PD
Teaching illustration of the field labels, not an order form.
090 → 90
These represent the same angle. The leading zero does not change the value. Keep each Axis with the CYL for the same eye.
31.0 stays right. 32.0 stays left.
The example has labeled distance PD for each eye, so it uses Dual PD. Do not swap the measurements or invent them by dividing a total.
Keep the eye, sign and number together
OD / OS · RE / LE
OD and RE mean your right eye; OS and LE mean your left. Right means the wearer’s right. Follow the printed labels rather than assuming the first row is right. OU means both eyes.
SPH / Sphere
Spherical power is measured in diopters (D). −2.00 and +2.00 are different prescriptions. Preserve the sign and decimal. Clarify a missing sign or unclear number rather than reconstructing it.
PL / Plano
In SPH, PL or Plano means zero spherical power. Other fields can still contain correction. Zero SPH does not automatically make the entire lens non-prescription.
CYL / Cylinder
CYL records cylinder correction for astigmatism. Prescriptions may use positive or negative notation. Preserve the supplied format; do not switch the sign to fit a dropdown.
Axis
Axis is the orientation of cylinder correction in degrees, not a strength score. 175 is not stronger than 090. Keep Axis paired with its own eye’s CYL. Ask the prescriber if CYL is present but Axis is missing.
In the current form, CYL 0.00 leaves Axis as None. A nonzero CYL reveals an Axis selection from 1 to 180. This form behavior does not mean a blank CYL on your document should automatically be entered as zero.
Questions & exceptions
Form values & missing information
My prescription has positive CYL. What should I select?
The current Single Vision form offers 0.00 and negative CYL values only. Do not remove a sign, convert the prescription yourself, or choose the nearest number. Ask for help before proceeding.
What if a required value is blank or unavailable?
Clarify the specific missing value or instruction with your prescriber or ELOOKUS. Never select the nearest number, omit a prescribed feature, or interpret every blank as zero just to complete checkout.
Do the dropdown ranges guarantee my lenses are available?
No. The chosen lens function, index, frame and complete prescription still need to be supported together. This tutorial explains entry, not manufacturing eligibility.
ADD, prism & reading glasses
Where do I put ADD / Near Add?
This Single Vision entry screen has no ADD field. ADD is additional near power used with the relevant distance prescription, not a complete reading prescription. Do not paste it into SPH or calculate a new reading prescription for this form. Ask your eye care professional for the complete near prescription and appropriate measurements. Do not invent ADD when it is absent.
My prescription includes Prism and Base. Can I upload it?
Prism has an amount and direction, such as Base In, Out, Up or Down. This entry screen has no Prism or Base fields. Do not discard those instructions. Contact ELOOKUS to confirm that the complete prescription can be supplied before proceeding. An upload option alone does not establish prism support.
Are Readers and Prescription Reading the same?
A single Readers Power selection differs from separate SPH, CYL and Axis for each eye. Do not choose Readers merely because a prescription includes ADD. Confirm the option that matches the correction prescribed for your near work.
Does this guide establish progressive or bifocal availability?
No. Progressive, bifocal and prism needs must be checked with the seller before ordering. The fictional example only explains a single-vision distance prescription.
Uploading & reviewing
What should be visible in a prescription upload?
Where offered, upload a clear, complete image or PDF. Keep both eye rows, headings, notes and dates legible. An upload does not resolve missing PD, unclear intended use or a feature the seller cannot supply.
Can I enter or send my prescription later?
The current flow offers Upload a Prescription, Enter Prescription Manually and Send Prescription Later. The Send Prescription Later route keeps production on hold. Keep your own current prescription available and resolve unclear entries before the order can be made.
Review against the original
For manual entry, compare each field against your own document, one eye at a time. For an upload, check that the full prescription is readable.
- The document is yours, current and intended for these glasses.
- Right and left values have not been swapped.
- Every power keeps its sign and decimal.
- Each CYL is paired with its own Axis.
- PD is measured, labeled and entered in the correct format.
- ADD, prism and other instructions have been addressed.
- The frame-and-lens combination supports the complete prescription.