Find a store Log in Re-order contact lenses Glasses Contact lenses Eye health Hearing Home visits Offers Book appointment Your glasses prescription explained What do the numbers and words actually mean on your prescription? Watch the video to find out from Dr Nigel Best DOptom MCOptom FBCLA FAAO, a qualified Specsavers optometrist: How to read your prescription SPH CYL AXIS PRISM BASE DISTANCE +2.25 -1.00 65 - - NEAR ADD +1.50 DISTANCE +2.25 -1.00 65 - - NEAR ADD +1.50 SPH (sphere) A + in the box indicates that you are long-sighted which means you find it difficult to see things close to you. A – shows that you find it hard to see things that are far away without glasses. The number might be very small, like 0.25, or a large number, like 6.00. The higher the number, the stronger the prescription lenses required. This can influence your choice of frames. The higher the prescription, the greater the curve of the lens needed. ADD - If you are over 40, you may have a number here. This is your reading addition and relates to the amount of additional correction needed to focus at close distances. A measurement will mean you have different prescriptions for distance and reading. Sometimes another add for intermediate prescriptions is also required. In some cases the near add is written on the prescription in a different format and is already combined to provide the near prescription. If you have any questions about your prescription or would like a copy of your prescription please contact your local store, or the store where you had your eye test. Find your local store Browse Glasses Designer glasses Contact lenses Hearing aids Offers Gift vouchers Services Book an eye test OCT scans in store Eye tests at home Eyecare at work Book a hearing test Hearing tests at home Information for GPs COVID-19 Information Keeping you safe in store Glasses fogging up advice How we're supporting the community Use of PPE in store Your new in store experience About About Specsavers Contact us Hindsight report Our year in numbers 2020/21 Careers Sitemap Specsavers promise © Specsavers 2021 Legal policies Privacy policy International sites Modern Slavery Act 21.10.3 To provide you with a better service, we use cookies on our pages. By using this site, you agree to our Cookie Policy. OK