EyeBar Optical
Nazar ka check-up totally freeHow to read your eye prescription
عینک کا نمبر کیسے پڑھیں
Your prescription is a short table of numbers. Here is what each one means, in plain words.
The terms on your prescription
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| OD / RE | Right eye |
| OS / LE | Left eye |
| SPH (sphere) | The main number. Minus (−) means you see near things clearly but distance is blurred. Plus (+) means distance is easier than near. |
| CYL (cylinder) | The cylindrical number. It corrects astigmatism, where the front of the eye is curved more in one direction than the other. |
| Axis | A number from 0 to 180 that tells the lens maker the direction of the cylinder. |
| ADD | Extra plus power for reading, usually after age 40. |
| PD | The distance between your pupils in millimetres, so the lens centres sit in front of your eyes. |
What is a cylindrical number?
If your prescription has a CYL value, you have astigmatism. Lines in one direction look sharper than lines in another, and lights at night may look stretched. It is common and is corrected with ordinary glasses. The axis must be set exactly, so a careful eye test matters.
What do 6/6 and 6/9 mean?
6/6 means you read at 6 metres what a person with normal sight reads at 6 metres. 6/9 means you need to be at 6 metres to read what others read from 9 metres. Mild 6/9 vision does not always need glasses. If you drive, study, or get headaches, glasses usually help. An eye test decides.
Which lens goes with which prescription
- SPH only, or SPH with CYL: single vision lenses.
- A prescription with ADD: bifocal or progressive lenses.
- A number above about ±4.00: ask for thinner, high-index lenses and a smaller frame.
Nazar ka check-up totally free kia jata hai. Computerized eye testing at EyeBar Optical, Kangan Pur is totally free.
Questions
How long is a prescription valid?
Have your eyes tested every one to two years. Children and people over 40 may change faster.
Is a contact lens number the same as a glasses number?
Not always. Contact lenses sit on the eye, so higher numbers are adjusted. Ask before you buy.
Can I send my prescription on WhatsApp?
Yes. Send a clear photo to 0325 2386838 and we will tell you the lens options.
Sources and further reading
Written by the team at Babar Homeopathic Clinic & EyeBar Optical, Kangan Pur. Last updated 3 October 2026. This guide is general information and does not replace an examination. See our medical disclaimer.
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