Contact lens prescription FAQ

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How do I read my contact lens prescription?

A contact lens prescription is made up of specific pieces of information, which we require to process your order. These pieces of information are either written on your current lens pack or given to you by your ophthalmologist or optician.

OD = Right eye
OS = Left eye
Brand name: (e.g. Acuvue)
Dioptric strength (Sph/Pwr): (a number between -20.00 and +20.00)
Base curve (BC): (a number between 8.30 and 9.10)
Diameter (Dia): (a number between 13.00 and 15.00)

For patients with astigmatism (corneal irregularities), we also need the
Cylinder (Cyl:) (a number between -4.00 and +4.00) and
Axis (Ax): (a number between 0° und 180°)

The "x" between the cylinder and the axis:
x = the abbreviation for axis

Sample contact lens prescription

A typical contact lens prescription looks something like this:

OS:
Brand name: Acuvue
BC: 8.80
Dia: 14.40
Sphere: -2.50

OD:
Brand name: Focus Dailies
BC: 8.60
Dia: 13.80
Sphere: -2.75

A sample contact lens prescription for a patient with astigmatism:

OS:
Brand name: Acuvue Toric
BC: 8.80
Dia: 14.4
Sphere: -2.50
Cyl & Ax: -1.25 x 180°

OD:
Brand name: Soflens Toric
BC: 8.50
Dia: 14.50
Sphere: -4.50
Cyl & Ax: -0.75 x 90°