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Prescription guide · Livor Eyewear
How to read your eyeglass prescription.
SPH, CYL, AXIS, ADD and PD explained simply. Tap each value on the sample prescription, decode yours in seconds and find out which lenses suit you.
- Single vision or non-prescription
- Standard, Premium or Elite lenses
- Prescription via WhatsApp
- Anti-reflective included
| −2.25 | −0.75 | 180° | — | |
| −2.00 | −0.50 | 175° | — |
OD / OS · R / L, OD / OI
Right eye and left eye
Each line of the prescription is for one eye: OD (oculus dexter) is the right eye and OS (oculus sinister) the left. Some prescriptions use R and L.
SPH · Sphere, ESF
Sphere: nearsightedness or farsightedness
The main power, in diopters. A minus sign (−) corrects nearsightedness, when distant things look blurry. A plus sign (+) corrects farsightedness, when close things look blurry. The farther from 0, the stronger the prescription.
In the sample: −2.25 and −2.00 mean nearsightedness in both eyes.
CYL · Cylinder, CIL
Cylinder: astigmatism
If it has a value, your prescription corrects astigmatism, which makes images look distorted or shadowed. If it’s empty, 0.00 or says “SPH” or “DS”, you have no astigmatism in that eye.
In the sample: −0.75 and −0.50 mean mild astigmatism.
AXIS · A, x, °
Axis: the orientation of the astigmatism
It goes from 0 to 180 degrees and shows where the cylinder correction is placed. It only appears when there is a CYL value and is always read together with it.
In the sample: 180° and 175°, almost horizontal.
ADD · Add, near addition
Addition: extra power for near vision
The extra power for reading up close, typical after age 40. It’s used in bifocal or progressive lenses. If your prescription has an ADD, message us before you buy.
The sample has no addition: these are single-vision lenses.
PD · Pupillary distance, IPD
Pupillary distance
The distance in millimeters between the centers of your pupils. It’s used to center the lenses in front of your eyes. In adults it’s usually between 54 and 74 mm.
In the sample: 63 mm.
Glossary
What each value on your prescription means.
Prescriptions look different from one clinic to another, but they always carry the same values. Powers go in steps of 0.25 diopters.
- OD / OSRight eye and left eye
- Each line of the prescription is for one eye: OD (oculus dexter) is the right eye and OS (oculus sinister) the left. Some prescriptions use R and L.Also written as: R / L, OD / OI
- SPHSphere: nearsightedness or farsightedness
- The main power, in diopters. A minus sign (−) corrects nearsightedness, when distant things look blurry. A plus sign (+) corrects farsightedness, when close things look blurry. The farther from 0, the stronger the prescription.Also written as: Sphere, ESF
- CYLCylinder: astigmatism
- If it has a value, your prescription corrects astigmatism, which makes images look distorted or shadowed. If it’s empty, 0.00 or says “SPH” or “DS”, you have no astigmatism in that eye.Also written as: Cylinder, CIL
- AXISAxis: the orientation of the astigmatism
- It goes from 0 to 180 degrees and shows where the cylinder correction is placed. It only appears when there is a CYL value and is always read together with it.Also written as: A, x, °
- ADDAddition: extra power for near vision
- The extra power for reading up close, typical after age 40. It’s used in bifocal or progressive lenses. If your prescription has an ADD, message us before you buy.Also written as: Add, near addition
- PDPupillary distance
- The distance in millimeters between the centers of your pupils. It’s used to center the lenses in front of your eyes. In adults it’s usually between 54 and 74 mm.Also written as: Pupillary distance, IPD
Tool
Decode your prescription and choose your lenses.
Enter the values from your prescription. We’ll tell you what it corrects and which lens material suits you, with its reference price, frame included.
This is general guidance, not a diagnosis. If you have questions, we can help on WhatsApp before you buy.
If your prescription doesn’t include it
How to measure your pupillary distance at home.
You need a ruler with millimeters, a mirror and good light. Take the measurement three times and use the average.
- 1 · Stand about 8 inches (20 cm) from the mirror and look straight ahead without moving your head.
- 2 · Rest the ruler on your brow, level and straight.
- 3 · Close your right eye and line up the 0 with the center of your left pupil.
- 4 · Open your right eye, close the left and read the number at the center of your right pupil.
It’s more accurate with someone else: have them measure from the front, at eye level, while you look into the distance. Still unsure? We can help on WhatsApp.
With your frame on
How to measure your fitting height at home.
It’s the vertical distance from the center of your pupil to the bottom edge of the lens. You need the frame, a mirror, a washable marker or masking tape and a ruler with millimeters.
- 1 · Put the frame on so it sits snugly and stand in front of the mirror, head level and looking straight ahead.
- 2 · With the marker, dot the demo lens right over the center of your pupil. Do one eye, then the other.
- 3 · Take the frame off and measure straight down from the dot to the inner bottom edge of the rim.
- 4 · Write down the measurement for each eye. On most frames it falls between 16 and 26 mm.
It’s more accurate if someone else marks the dot, from the front and at eye level, while you look into the distance. Send us the measurement with your prescription. Still unsure? We can help on WhatsApp.
Easy, on WhatsApp
How to send your prescription to Livor.
You don’t need to upload it when you buy: first you choose your glasses, then you send us a photo. We take care of the rest.
- 01
Buy your glasses
Choose your frame and, on its page, single vision, the material and the protection.
- 02
Send a photo of your prescription
On WhatsApp, along with your order number. We check that it’s complete.
- 03
We make your lenses
We make your lenses with your prescription and ship your glasses to your door.
Before you send the photo, check that:
- Both lines, OD and OS, are fully readable.
- The date and the eye doctor’s details are visible.
- The photo is sharp, with no shadows or glare.
- It’s a recent prescription. If it’s more than a year old or you notice changes in your vision, update it with your eye doctor.
FAQ
Eyeglass prescription FAQ.
Still have a question? We answer on WhatsApp, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Mexico City time).
Ask us on WhatsApp ↗What does the minus sign (−) on my prescription mean?
That your prescription corrects nearsightedness: distant things look blurry. A plus sign (+) corrects farsightedness, when close things look blurry. The farther the number is from 0, the stronger the prescription.
What are CYL and AXIS?
The cylinder (CYL) corrects astigmatism and the axis (AXIS) shows its orientation, from 0 to 180 degrees. They always go together: no CYL means no AXIS.
My prescription has no CYL. Is it incomplete?
No. If the cylinder is empty, 0.00 or says “SPH” or “DS”, it means you have no astigmatism in that eye.
What is PD and what if it’s not on my prescription?
It’s the distance in millimeters between the centers of your pupils, used to center the lenses. If it’s missing, you can measure it at home with a ruler and a mirror, or message us and we’ll help.
Can I use my contact lens prescription?
No. A contact lens prescription uses different parameters, because the lens sits on the eye. For eyeglasses you need an eyeglass prescription.
Which lens material suits my prescription?
As a guide: Standard up to ±2.00, Premium from ±2.25 to ±3.50 and Elite above ±3.50, because it’s the thinnest and lightest. Use the tool on this page to work it out from your prescription.
Do you make bifocal or progressive lenses?
Yes, we make progressive, bifocal and digital lenses. Because they need very precise measurements, we quote them separately: message us on WhatsApp with your prescription and we’ll advise you before you buy. In the store you can choose single-vision or non-prescription lenses directly.
How do I send my prescription to Livor?
After you pay, send a clear photo of your prescription on WhatsApp to +52 33 5331 6712 along with your order number. That’s all we need to make your lenses.
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