Prescription eye glasses are corrective lenses that meet your specific vision needs. Each pair is built using measurements from an eye exam, and the lenses are shaped to help your eyes focus light correctly. People wear them to address common refractive conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The prescription itself is a set of numbers that describes how much correction each eye requires from custom-made lenses. Here’s information on glasses and how they are prescribed:
Before an Exam
An eye exam is the foundation of getting an accurate prescription for eye glasses or corrective lenses. Knowing when to schedule one and how to prepare can make your visit more productive. You may benefit from seeing an ophthalmologist if you notice changes in your vision, such as blurriness, difficulty reading, or trouble seeing at a distance. Adults often benefit from routine eye exams even without symptoms, and children may need periodic checks as their eyes develop. An ophthalmologist can evaluate your vision and the overall health of your eyes.
Frequent headaches, eye strain, or squinting may also be signs that your eyes need attention. Before an eye exam, gather your current glasses or contact lenses if you use them, and bring a list of any medications you take. Write down the symptoms you have experienced, including when they started and how often they occur. If you have a family history of eye conditions, note that as well. Arriving with this information gives the ophthalmologist a fuller picture of your overall health.
During Your Exam
Your exam will include several tests to measure how clearly you see and how your eyes work together, but first, the ophthalmologist will review your medical history. After discussing your symptoms, your provider will start a visual acuity test to measure how well you see at various distances. You will read letters or symbols from a standardized chart, and each eye is tested separately to identify differences between them. The results are recorded as a ratio, such as 20/20, which describes the sharpness of your sight.
To determine your prescription, the ophthalmologist uses a refraction test. This is where you look through a device called a phoropter, which contains multiple lenses. As different lenses are placed in front of your eyes, you indicate which options make the chart appear clearer. This process narrows down the exact lens strength that gives you the sharpest vision. Additional measurements may check how your eyes:
- Focus on Things
- Align Vision
- Respond To Light
If the results show that you need corrective lenses, the ophthalmologist will provide a written prescription. This document lists the values for each eye, including the lens power and any astigmatism correction needed. It may also include measurements for the distance between your pupils, which helps center the lenses correctly.
After the Exam
With your prescription in hand, you can choose frames and lens types that fit your needs and lifestyle. Some people select lenses for reading, others need them for distance, and progressive lenses can address multiple ranges in a single pair. An optician then uses your prescription to produce the finished glasses, cutting and fitting the lenses into your chosen frames. Once your glasses are ready, you may return for adjustments for a comfortable fit.
Determine If You Need Eye Glasses
Vision changes can develop gradually, so you may not notice them until they affect daily tasks like driving or reading. The only reliable way to know whether you need prescription eyeglasses is through a professional eye exam. To check your vision and eye health, schedule a visit with an ophthalmologist today.
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