ri_mischief

I'm going to sound like a complete anorak here - but this is how it works....

If you prescription is (for example) -3.75 + 2.50 in the UK, this would be -1.25 -2.50 in the US - basically you add the cyl power (the second one) to the sphere (the first one) and change the sign on the sphere.

Clearly it looks totally different. As the optician said - the cyl power relates to astigmatism, so if you don't have one +/-0.00 as the second value then it will look the same whether it's minus or plus cyl.

S**t I've worked in this industry WAY too long :-)

lansbury

Thanks for that I was beginning to think I was a complete idiot instead of just a partial one.

My wife has astigmatism so I guess that is what the optician was doing when they said they were translating her UK prescription and why it looked to me as a layman to be totally different.

ri_mischief

You will also notice a change in her axis measurement - it's the UK reading plus or minus 90 (depending on the axis reading) I didn't add that to the original

It's highly unlikely that her prescription is wrong. If you want to PM me her UK one and US one I'll check it if you like - but you should still probably check with the ECP anyway.

Just for reference - the US way is actually the more globally accepted way (for a change) rather than the UK way I believe ;-)

Another good way to check is if she has contact lenses - both conventions are normally printed on the box

lansbury

Thanks that was in 2005 when we came over on a visit. There wasn't anything wrong with the glasses she got just I saw this thread and remembered what had gone on at that time. She has had an eye examination since we moved over here and glasses made to a "proper" US prescription.

Appreciate the offer.

ri_mischief

No problem - happy to help....

Neither way is the "proper way" it's the same prescription - just looks different

snowbunny

And where is the axis?

ri_mischief

Axis should also be written on the prescription - normally at the end...

It's the orientation of the astigmatism. Sorry let me correct that - otherwise I'll have an optician jumping all over me - it's the angle at which the lens is set into the frame to correct the astigmatism

At least that's the way I've always understood it - but I'm not an optician....

weazie

Thanks for all the help Sorry for not posting sooner.

Ok: I have an astigmatism for a start.

My UK prescription: distance
Right: sphere: +4.75, Cyl +0.75, Axis 85
Left Sphere: +5.25, Cyl +1.50, Axis 90

US prescription(distance)
Right: Sphere: +6.00, Cyl -50, Axis x165
Left: Sphere +6.75, Cyl -150, Axis x180

My contacts that I have are +5.5 for right and +7.0 for left ( I got them in the UK).

So what do you reckon? are they the same? Thank you- you are all wonderful

ri_mischief

Your left eye is identical. Right eye has changed a bit - your UK prescription would now read +5.50 +50 Axis 70. Nothing to worry about. I don't know how old you are? Prescriptions change with age. Can you see ok out of your new glasses? That's the most important thing. Try bocking off your left eye and seeing how you can see with the right eye only.

Your contacts seem a little "off" but again if you can see ok you should be fine.

weazie

I'm 23 and my right eye has been getting gradually worse from when i was at university and and now that I spend my whole time in front of the computer - so no surprises there. i dont have my new glasses yet, but i can see fine out of my old glasses (UK script)

Thanks for your help, I appreciate it!!

ri_mischief

When you get the new ones you might be surprised how much better you can see.

Signs that you prescription is drastically off would be "feeling weird" or nauseous. If that happens use your old ones and get a re-test. "Weird" can be non-specific btw - you just feel "off"

graeme0001

Hi again

Ri-mischief is right about your prescription.

The plus and minus cyl forms are not a US/UK difference really, they are dependent on what optometrist tests you. I know some who prefer minus and some prefer plus. The minus form is reckonised more in the industry.

Your contact prescription seems about right too. You are only wearing a spherical contact lens (no astigmatism - lenses with astigmatism are called torics). To achieve good vision they normal add some of the cyl power to the sph. Thats why your left eye contact lens prescription seems higher. This is not needed in your right eye as your astigmatism is much lower.

Hope your new specs work out

weazie

Thank you!! The pair I'm wearing right now are being held together by sellotape so Im in need of a new pair.

I chose not to get toric lenses because they were more expensive and I only wear them when i go to the gym.

William Semmes

I've had prescriptions both in USA and UK and no difference.

Tarkak9

Place your right hand over your right eye -




I am under the impression they are slightly different but don't know fur-sher.