PRESCRIPTION HELP

Interpreting Your Contact Lens Prescription

Eye doctors use standard terms, abbreviations and measurements to write contact lens prescriptions. It can look like a secret code at first, but it's really quite simple to decipher.

Below is a sample contact lens prescription. Place your cursor over each element for explanation on the right.

In addition to the above information, your prescription may note how often your contact lenses must be replaced (once a month, every two weeks, once a week, daily, etc.). Or you may be instructed verbally, during your exam. Often the lens brand includes this information (e.g., Ophtha-Lens One-Week), but the real judge is your eyecare practitioner, who knows which replacement option is best for your eyes and lifestyle.