How to Read the Prescription for Your Eyeglasses

An updated eyeglasses prescription is the first step to being able to buy stylish and affordable glasses online. Unfortunately, so few understand what is written on that piece of paper that it makes filling out the order form really difficult and often results in mistakes that end up causing errors in the manufacture of your new eyeglasses.

Learning what all those signs and symbols mean is crucial to you being in control of your visual health.

So let's get started with a very brief explanation of what the abbreviations on your prescription really mean:

OD is oculus dextrous which means your right eye

OS is oculus sinister which means your left eye

SPH is sphere - the main part of your prescription. It states the strength of your prescription in diopter.

CYL is cylinder - indicating the strength of your astigmatism (if you have one).

AXIS is the rotation of the cylindrical lens (CYL) that runs on a plane of 1-180 degrees.

PL is plano - which means there is no vision correction needed (basically you want frames fitted with clear glass lenses for fashion purposes).

D.V. means distance vision

N.V. means near vision - sometimes it says NVO

ADD is short for additional value

PD is the distance between your pupils or pupil distance

OU just means both eyes

PAL means progressive additive lens and it is the additional value for your progressive lenses.

Balance means that one eye has a prescription and the other eye has no useful vision.

X is short for Axis.

Prism happens when both eyes are not properly aligned and they need a prism to re-align them.

Base is the rotation of the prism. The prescription will read:

BO - base out

BI - base in

BU - base up

BD - base down

Every doctor writes their prescription differently so one really needs to take note of the abbreviations and work out the meaning accordingly.

Note: the numerical values will always be written with either plus (+) or a minus (-) sign in the SPH as well as the CYL and ADD. These signs are probably the most crucial of the whole prescription as mixing them up will determine how and whether at all you can see.

As noted above, SPHERE (SPH)is thestrength of your prescription in 0.25 increments. Nearsighted (problems seeing in the distance) people will usually have a minus (-) sign in their sphere while farsighted (problems seeing up close) people will have a plus (+) in their prescriptions.

Your optometrist or eye doctor may have also written your SPH or CYL as +150, which is equal to +1.50.

For those with an ASTIGMATISM,you will have a note on your prescription for your CYLINDER (CYL). Basically, this is when your eye is curved and that curvature makes your vision blurry unless corrected. Some people may only have astigmatism in one eye and many people don't have one at all, in which case, that field will be left blank. Alternatively, they will write SPH, 00, Plano, or DS - all meaning that you do not have astigmatism.

If you do have a CYL, then you will also have an AXIS, which tells you at what degree that CYL lens must be manufactured. Axis should be from 1-180 degrees and will always be a whole number. If your Axis is written as "6", it can be entered as 06 or 006.

The ADDITIONAL VALUE (ADD) is most commonly used for multifocal glasses as well as for single vision reading glasses. You need to look carefully for these numbers as your doctor may write them in the near vision (N.V.) or ADD sections, or merely indicating on the side that this is the ADD. There are times when your doctor will only write the ADD once, meaning it is for both eyes, while other times (and more correctly), each eye will be given its own value. Single vision distance glasses do not require an ADD reading and this can just be left off your order form, although this is recommended for better vision. Those needed special glasses like reading, progressive or bifocal glasses, MUST include this information to avoid manufacturing blunders.

Your pupil distance (PD) is not often written on your prescription and so, you should always check before leaving your doctor's office. The average PD is 62mm and most people fall within the 54mm to 74mm range. Measuring your own PD is tricky, and should be done by a professional. It is never wise to guess this otherwise the optical center of the glasses will not align with your pupils, will give you headaches and will not feel comfortable.

Your PD can be written a few different ways, ie: 63; 32/32; 33/31; 30.5/33.5; 63/60.

If your PD is written as 63 - simply insert it as 63. If your PD is written as 32/32, you can add the two together and insert 64 or you can write each number separately. If your PD is written as 33/31 or 30.5/33.5 - the measurements from the center of your nose to the pupil on either eye is not equal and you should insert your PD as written on your prescription. Do not add the numbers together.

Remember, with all this said and done, the most reputable online eyeglasses companies will also allow you to email or fax your prescription to them so that they can double check that all is correct OR so that they can simply fill it in for you.

By: Hillary Glaser

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Good Blood Circulation Tea is a special herbal preparation designed to improve blood circulation.
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Other essence of this tea such as green tea and licorice root are also included for similar properties of improving blood flow and circulation and relief from health complications that may arise from insufficient circulation.

Food for Fatigue

Many people use coffee or other caffeine containing foods to combat fatigue, however caffeine has some unwanted side effects. There are many alternative food and exercise strategies that can help to combat fatigue.

If you find yourself constantly tired and worn out, you may just have fatigue. There are many reasons for being tired, so just because you are tired a lot doesn’t always mean that you have fatigue. However, if it persists for more than 6 months and is accompanied by symptoms like memory loss, sore throat, headaches, or muscle pain.

Eating the right foods is especially important if you are already feeling fatigued due to the stress of a hectic lifestyle, whether it stems from physical, mental, or emotional exertion.


Food & Fruits for Fatigue

Preferred Fruits Fruits to Avoid
papaya bananas
mango raisins
plums Dates
pears Figs
Kiwi oranges
Apples grapefruit
cherries
Vegetable juices are good in fighting fatigue as they contain many nutrients that are excellent for the body. Combinations like carrot/celery/parsley are rich in color, high in vitamins, and help to stimulate the liver. It is best to avoid the ones containing sugar, corn syrup or fruit juice.

Hot cocoa and other chocolate beverages are too likely to over stimulate the adrenals with the combination of caffeine and sugar they contain. So if you are suffering from fatigue avoid them.

Oatmeal is also regarded as a super food when it comes to supporting digestive health. Eat oatmeal first thing in the morning for instant energy. Breakfast is especially important because it replenishes energy reserves and sets the tone for your day.

Avoiding large high fat meals at lunch can also reduce fatigue in the afternoon. After meals, blood is drawn away from the rest of the body to rush to the gastrointestinal system to help with distribution of nutrients during digestion of the food causing after lunch tiredness.

A handful of nuts like walnuts, almonds, raisins etc are rich in omega 3 fats. These unsaturated fats are burnt quickly releasing shots of energy. Also the natural sugar in the nuts will help you to keep going too.

Intake of iron will increase circulation, which will give a shot of oxygen to your brain and in turn energize you.

Natural Treatment for Acne

Natural treatment for acne is among the greatest methods to safely and also successfully eliminate acne in the skin.

Natural treatment for acne:-

Numerous people are searching for a natural treatment for acne but coconut oil is the best for natural acne treatment.

Mix lemon juice with rose water both in same ratio apply on the face and to clarify that only after 30 minutes. Use it till the time acne is visible.

A good home treatment to remove the swollen red look of acne is Aspirin. Take a couple of standard aspirins and crush them into powder. You can do this with a spoon. Then mix just enough water to make a lose paste. Put this on the problem areas of your face before you go to bed and presto in just a few days you will begin to see much improvement.

Using water, make a paste with a teaspoon of turmeric powder and a teaspoon of sandalwood powder. Put it on your acne and it will clear it up.

Sleeping posture can also cause serious acne problems on your face. This is a habit that most people who suffer from acne don’t think about. If you usually sleep on your stomach, try sleeping on your side, or on your back. In any situation wash your pillow case frequently.

Leaving makeup products on your skin only contributes to clogging your pores, causing more pimples and blackheads. If you feel you must wear makeup, be sure it is water-based.