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A member asked:
What do sph, cyl and axis mean on an eye test?
6 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
Shape of eye: These are terms used by the od or md to describe measurements of the shape of the eye. They determine your prescription. They are probably meaningless to you. Important for the dispenser of your eye wear.
Answered 2/10/2019
6.2k views
Specific parts of Rx: To expand on dr. Proffitt's answer, sph = sphere; if this is a negative number, the prescription is a myopic or nearsighted prescription and a positive number dictates a farsighted or hyperopic prescription. Cyl = cylinder or the amount or power of the astigmatism correction. Axis is the direction in which the astigmatism correction is placed in the glasses.
Answered 1/16/2019
6.2k views
Glasses Rx: Sph is sphere power or the focusing power of the lens. A negative number means you are near sighted and positive is far sightedness. Cyl is cylinder power or the astigmatism correction in the glasses. It is aligned on an axis, the last number.
Answered 6/26/2019
5.7k views
Related Questions
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What does a sphere number of +0.50 and cylinder number of -0.25 mean (axis 179 degrees) (left eye is +0.25, -0.25, 14 degrees respectively)?
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