Author: Colin Darmanie

What you need to know about Astigmatism

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Things you should know

about Astigmatism

You’ve heard you have ‘Astigmatism’ but do you know what it means?
In this video, we touch on what Astigmatism is, how it can affect your vision, and why it’s so common.
We’ll be sharing some more interesting details about this eye defect soon, so be on the lookout.

We’re discussing the types of Astigmatism and how it affects your vision. Just a little refresher before we proceed. Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of your eye’s cornea, which changes the way light passes through the eye to your retina. When you thought your headaches, blurry vision, squinting, trouble seeing at night or distorted vision was nothing, it could be caused by Astigmatism.

So, now that we’ve covered that, let’s get into the types!

Did you know there’s more than 1 type of Astigmatism? Feel free to let us know in the comments if you knew this.

The most common type though is regular Corneal Astigmatism where the corneal surface is not round but has a different curvature in one direction (meridian) vs. another.

We’re going to be a bit more technical by further sub-dividing this into 3 other categories, so stay with us:

Myopic astigmatism.
This is Astigmatism associated with the additional presence of Myopia which really means one or both principal meridians of the eye are near-sighted. People with this type of Astigmatism have trouble seeing objects far away but see closer objects quite clearly.

Hyperopic Astigmatism.
This is Astigmatism that is associated with the presence of Hypermetropia where one or both principal meridians are farsighted. Persons who have this type see far objects clearly but have visual problems (and/or symptoms) up close.

Mixed Astigmatism
Lastly, this is Astigmatism associated with both. One principal meridian is near-sighted, and the other is farsighted. Persons with this type might have visual disturbances at both distance and near as well as the possibility of associated symptoms.

So, you think you have Astigmatism? Then it’s time to get a routine eye exam!

Your Optometrist is trained to correctly detect the amount of Astigmatism and the presence of associated Hypermetropia (long-sightedness) or Myopia (short-sightedness). The quantity of these defects found will form your prescription.

Your final prescription will indicate the exact strength of the Optical Lenses that you require to correct your visual defect(s). You’ll be glad you got tested because you will be on the road to alleviating your vision problems and any/all associated symptoms.

Now on to ways your Astigmatism can be corrected!
The most common treatment for Astigmatism is eyeglasses or contact lenses. Refractive surgery is one of the less common treatment options and is really reserved for more complicated cases.
All in all, Astigmatism should be treated as soon as possible. Once diagnosed, regularly visit your eye doctor as recommended as astigmatism can fluctuate over time, making it necessary for your prescription to be modified.

Contact Us

60-62 Frederick Street, Port of Spain

1-868-620-EYES (3937)

ultimateeyewearltd@gmail.com

ultimateeyewearltd.com

Opening Hours

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Saturdays: 9:00AM – 1:00PM

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What you need to know about Myopia

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Things you should know

about Myopia

Have you ever looked at something far away and thought, “That looks really blurry,” but for some reason, it looked clearer the closer you got? You could have Myopia! Let’s chat a bit about it.

Myopia comes from the Greek word ‘Muops’ which means short-sighted. If you have Myopia, closer objects look clearer, but objects further away, like street signs or license plates, appear blurry. The common practice for myopic persons is to squint, allowing the eyes to see better at a distance. All this time you thought your squinting was ‘nothing’, but now you know it could be Myopia.

You’re probably thinking, “Why does this happen?”
Well, in Myopia, light enters the eye, but it doesn’t fall on the Retina. That’s at the back of the eye if you were wondering. The light falls short of the retina. That’s why Myopic persons are short-sighted.

Types of Myopia

You’ve seen those cute babies wearing glasses, ever wondered why? 

Babies can have Myopia too. Babies can have a type of Myopia known as Congenital Myopia, which occurs from birth and is prevalent in babies with various birth defects.

Let’s learn about some more types! Simple Myopia is the most common type. It usually starts from the age of 5 years and progresses until the age of 20. So, when your child says “Mom, Dad, I can’t see properly,” it’s worth getting it checked out.

Pathological Myopia is the last type we’ll be discussing. It’s hereditary and progressive and it’s due to degenerative changes that take place in the eye. If you have this type, you’ll experience major near-sightedness, amid vision loss.

Causes of Myopia

The most common cause of Myopia is the increase in the curvature of the cornea. This may also occur in the crystalline lens of the eye. Feel free to follow along with our short explainer video to see exactly where the lens and the cornea are! 😉

Another cause of Myopia is the increased axial length of the eye. This simply means, there is an increase in the distance between the front and back of the eye.

The 3rd cause is an increase in the refractive index of the lens of the eye. This essentially means there is an increase in focusing power. Remember, persons with Myopia can focus on closer objects but further objects appear blurry. This is why!

Lastly, trauma to the eyes, in general, can cause Myopia!

How to detect Myopia

Would you be able to tell if you have Myopia? You actually CAN tell! 

There is an initial sign which is continually squinting to see objects further away. If you experience this, you know it’s time to get an eye exam to accurately diagnose the problem.

Let’s dive a bit into the process of detecting Myopia!

During the routine Eye Examination, a machine called an Auto-Refractor detects Myopia and will provide an estimate of your prescription. Your Optometrist will consider the results of the Auto-Refractor along with a process called Retinoscopy and other subjective tests.

All of this is important to determine if you have Myopia and the level of correction required. The strength of the optical lenses will compensate for your Myopia, which means you should have clear vision when you get your glasses.  Definitely worth it!

It’s important to note that your optometrist will recommend follow up visits to keep track of your Myopia and your overall ocular health. These can be between 1-2 years depending on your age and the severity of Myopia.

 

Treatment options for Myopia

The usual treatment option is eyeglasses. In this case, your eyeglasses will have special diverging lenses that bend light outwards before reaching your eyes.

With Myopia, light falls short of the Retina. Wearing the correct strength of eyeglasses ensures that light no longer falls short of the retina but is now focused exactly on your retina. Say goodbye to short-sightedness and ‘hello’ to clean, clear vision!

Contact lenses can also be used to treat Myopia.

Additionally, persons with severe Myopia may opt to have refractive surgery to decrease the curvature of the cornea and correct their Myopia once their prescription has shown to have stabilized.

Contact Us

60-62 Frederick Street, Port of Spain

1-868-620-EYES (3937)

ultimateeyewearltd@gmail.com

ultimateeyewearltd.com

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday : 8:00AM – 5:00PM

Saturdays: 9:00AM – 1:00PM

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What you need to know about Cataracts

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Things you should know

about Cataracts

Class is in Session and we will be going in-depth with this new and informative topic, Cataracts.

Today, we’re discussing what cataracts are, and over the next few weeks, we will discuss more details relating to this eye disease.

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens, the clear, oval-shaped structure that rests behind the pupil.

Most cataracts occur as a result of age, usually sometime after 40. As we get older, the proteins that help make up the lens can start to cluster together, which causes clouding. Cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision loss, usually affecting either eye or sometimes one, but there is good news! It is treatable, and we will also get into that a little later on.

When there are cataracts in both eyes, it can progress at a different rate. One eye may experience visual changes when another can be normal. These changes don’t typically happen immediately, it can take a few months or even a few years to notice. Once you start to notice changes in your vision, it may seem like your vision is blurry, cloudy, hazy, or even. You may notice that your vision is less vibrant or more muted…

How can you tell if you have cataracts? We’re back with our ‘Class is in session’ segment on cataracts. Let’s get right into the symptoms.

· Clouded blurred or dim vision

· Increasing difficulty with vision at night

· Sensitivity to light and glare

· Need for brighter light for reading and other activities

· Seeing “halos” around lights

· Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription

· Fading or yellowing of colours

· Double vision in a single eye

Cloudiness may initially affect one small part of your eye’s lenses. The cloudiness can grow and obscure more of your vision, essentially distorting the light that passes through your lenses. At this point, you may notice serious vision changes (vision loss) and should get help before this condition worsens. However, you don’t have to wait until you experience visual changes to get your eyes test. We suggest you do eye exams frequently if you are at risk for developing cataracts.

What Causes Cataracts? We have the answer in today’s ‘Class is in Session’ segment. Cataracts maybe caused by; trauma (injury to the eye) genetics, previous eye surgery, medical conditions such as diabetes, long-term use of steroid medication, or simply aging.

The lens, where cataracts form is positioned behind the coloured part of your eye (iris). The lens focuses light that passes into your eye, producing clear, sharp images on the retina (the light-sensitive membrane in the eye).

As you get older, the lenses in your eyes become less flexible, less transparent, and thicker. Issues related to age or medical conditions, as listed above may cause the tissue within the lens to break down and cluster together. The result of the tissue clustering together is cloudy vision.

As cataracts further develop, more parts of your eyes get affected and it blocks the lights as it passes through the lens. Once the light is blocked, less defined images will reach your retina, essentially causing blurry vision.

Just for your knowledge, we’re briefly touching on a few types of cataracts. Some Cataracts affect the center of the lens (nuclear cataracts), the edges of the lens (cortical cataracts), the back of the lens (posterior subcapsular cataracts), and cataracts you’re born with (congenital cataracts).

Yes, some people are born with cataracts and it’s caused by eye trauma, diseases, or genetics.

Have you ever wondered if there are any risk factors associated with Cataracts? If you have wondered that, then we have the answer for you. Let’s get right into this brief segment. Factors that increase your risk of cataracts include:

  • Diabetes
  • Previous eye injury or inflammation
  • Previous eye surgery
  • Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications
  • Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
  • Increasing age
  • Excessive exposure to sunlight
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • High blood pressure

If you have these risk factors, get regular eye examinations. Eye examinations can help detect cataracts and other eye problems at their earliest stages.

Contact Us

60-62 Frederick Street, Port of Spain

1-868-620-EYES (3937)

ultimateeyewearltd@gmail.com

ultimateeyewearltd.com

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What you need to know about Dry Eyes

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Things you should know

about Dry Eyes

Do you have dry eyes? Let us know in the comments.

In simple terms, dry eyes occur when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the quality of tears produced is of poor quality. The eyes produce tears all the time, not just when you experience emotion. However, with dry eyes, the tear glands produce fewer tears in some cases and in other cases the tears that are produced break down very quickly, thus exposing the eye to periods of “drying” between blinks.

Let’s explain how it works!

In healthy eyes, a new layer of tears known as the tear film is produced each time you blink. In between blinks, this tear layer remains intact and ensures that your eyes remain totally moist and lubricated until you blink again, which then produces a new tear film and the process repeats. In this way, the eye is always lubricated and no possibility of drying of the cornea exists.

In cases of Dry Eyes, each time you blink the tear film is either insufficient (owing to too little tears being produced) or the constituents of the tear film makes it unstable so that it breaks down and exposes the cornea to drying before you are able to blink again and create a new tear film. In cases like this, as well as with other contributing factors that we will discuss in subsequent classes, you experience what is commonly called Dry Eyes.

Quick fact, tears are made up of water, fatty oils, protein, electrolytes, and substances to fight off bacteria. This combination helps keep the surface of the eyes smooth and clear so that we can see properly.

Factors such as aging, computer use, your environment, health problems, and certain medications are associated with dry eyes. With regards to aging, your eyes can become drier later in life especially after the age of 50, however, this condition can still occur at any age!

Spending prolonged hours on the computer or digital devices is also a factor associated with dry eyes. When you are on these devices, you tend to focus more and blink less fully and frequently. Blinking less allows your tears to evaporate quicker, increasing your risk for developing dry eyes.

Another factor associated with dry eyes is your environment, both indoor and outdoor. Yes, the beastly cold air-condition unit in your office or even ceiling fans that viciously oscillates can decrease indoor humidity and/or accelerate tear evaporation, causing dry eyes. On the other hand, outdoor climates such as dusty/dry or windy conditions can contribute to dry eyes too. Before this pandemic, many persons were traveling, however, the air in an airplane is quite dry and can also be the reason many persons have dry eyes.

Lastly, if you have health problems such as diabetes, lupus, arthritis, or take medications such as blood-pressure prescriptions, birth control or anti-depressants, these can all contribute to Dry Eyes.

There are many symptoms related to dry eyes; ranging from heavy/ sore eyes to a stinging/ burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes. If you ever felt like you had grit or some other material in your eye, that’s called a foreign body sensation, which is a symptom of this condition. Have you experienced this? Let us know in the comments.

Symptoms of dry eyes also include; eye redness, sensitivity to light, difficulty wearing contact lenses, difficulty seeing while driving at night, and blurred or fatigued vision. The list also includes watery eyes! Watery eyes are the body’s response to irritation of the eyes.

It may sound strange that watery eyes are a symptom of dry eyes but this happens because dryness on the eye‘s surface will sometimes over-stimulate the production of the watery component of your tears. This over-stimulation is a protective mechanism known as “reflex tearing” and doesn’t stay long enough to correct the actual condition.

A few ways you can alleviate dry eyes are by using artificial tears/lubricating eye drops, as they lubricate the eyes and help maintain moisture on the outer surface of your eyes (Cornea) . Lubricating eye drops can make a huge difference by reducing the grittiness or scratchy sensation that occurs with dry eyes! Another thing you can do is use a warm compress, the heat from the compress can help the glands that produce tears (Lacrimal Gland) to work better.

You can also try blinking more frequently, and taking more frequent breaks from the computer. Many persons spend lots of time on the computer for both work and leisure, a good rule of thumb to follow is to look away from your screen at least every 20 minutes and look at something that is at least 20 feet from your eyes for at least 20 seconds. Your eyes will thank you!

The last thing that you can do to alleviate dry eyes is to gently wash your eyelids to remove any bacteria that may cause your glands to be irritated. The most important thing here is to ensure that your hands are clean! You do not want to introduce more bacteria to your eyes when the goal is to reduce the bacteria. Wash your eyelids by gently applying a washcloth to your lids for about 20 seconds, then washing your lashes and lids with pre-moistened eyelid wipes that are available at many drugstores.

A few ways to prevent dry eyes are to avoid air such as fans , air-condition and hairdryers from blowing directly in your eye. Remember to use eye drops regularly as recommended to keep your eyes lubricated, do this even when your eyes feel fine. Prevention is always better than cure!

If you’re on the computer, reading, sewing, painting, or simply doing a task that requires visual concentration, remember to take intermittent breaks. Try blinking more frequently for a few seconds to help spread the tears evenly throughout your eyes and remember to do this as often as you can. We also recommend that you close your eyes for a few minutes daily to help stimulate tear production. Try it, it works!

If you use the computer quite frequently, ensure you position your screen below eye level, so you won’t have to open your eyes as wide to view the screen. This may help slow the evaporation of your tears between eye blinks!

Another way to prevent dry eyes is to be aware of your environment! It’s quite rainy these days but some days are so dry and sunny. When spending time in dry/dusty/windy environments consider a good pair of sunglasses or protective eyewear which will help reduce tear evaporation as well as reduce duty and wind from directly reaching your eyes.

An important point in preventing dry eyes is to reduce and avoid smoke. If you smoke, speak with your doctor about a personalized strategy to help you to quit. This is very important since smoke can worsen dry eye symptoms.

There are more advanced ways to deal with severe cases of dry eyes but we have covered the basic in this class and hope that the information shared was of some value to you.

Contact Us

60-62 Frederick Street, Port of Spain

1-868-620-EYES (3937)

ultimateeyewearltd@gmail.com

ultimateeyewearltd.com

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday : 8:00AM – 5:00PM

Saturdays: 9:00AM – 1:00PM

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What you need to know about Hypermetropia

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Things you should know

about Hypermetropia

Hypermetropia/Hyperopia is also known as Far-sightedness/ long-sightedness.

It is one of the common refractive errors of the eye.

If you are hypermetropic, the image of a nearby object is formed behind the retina. This means that light is focused too far back in the eye, causing things which are close up to appear blurred or the eye having to constantly refocus ( via a process called accommodation) to maintain clear vision.

People with severe hypermetropia may be able to clearly see only objects a great distance away, while those with mild farsightedness may be able to clearly see objects that are much closer.

Hypermetropia is a very common condition, especially in children and can lead to several symptoms which are all associated with eyestrain.

If you’re farsighted, your eyes have to work harder to maintain clear vision up close, this inevitably causes eyestrain.

Symptoms of Hypermetropia are due to this extra eyestrain and may include one or more of the following:

  • Frontal headaches (forehead to temple region) associated with close work.
  • Your eyes burn during or after close visual task (computers/reading/writing)
  • Your eyes water during or after close work (computers/reading/writing)
  • You have general eye discomfort or a “heavy feeling” of the eyes after doing close tasks.
  • If you experience any of the above symptoms, there is a strong chance that you are Hypermetropic, and correcting this refractive error will eliminate the symptoms that you experience.

Hypermetropia is sometimes difficult to explain to patients as they often believe that as long as they can see clearly, then they do not require glasses but correction for Hypermetropia more often has to do with relieving the strain on your eyes (and associated symptoms), rather than clarifying your vision itself.

Hypermetropia is caused by a refractive error of the eye.

Without getting too technical, we will explain the causes of Hypermetropia.

Your eye has two parts that focus images:

– The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front surface of your eye.

– The lens is a clear structure about the size and shape of an M&M’s candy inside of your eyes.

The cornea and lens are responsible for bending (refracting) all incoming light to make a sharply focused image directly on the retina, which is at the back of your eye.

Hypermetropia occurs mainly due to two reasons:

1) When your eyeball is shorter than normal (the axial length of the eye from the front to the back).

2) When the cornea or the lens (both mentioned above) are flatter in shape (less curved) than normal.

The goal of treating farsightedness is to help focus light on the retina through the use of corrective lenses or refractive surgery.

Prescription lenses
In young people, treatment isn’t always necessary because the crystalline lenses inside the eyes are flexible enough to compensate for the condition. However, depending on the degree of farsightedness as well as the symptoms experienced, you may need prescription lenses to improve your near vision and/or relieve any associated symptoms.

As you age and the lenses inside of your eyes become less flexible, you feel the effects of Hypermetropia more and more, and you will require correction.

Wearing prescription lenses treats Hypermetropia by counteracting the decreased curvature of your cornea/lens or the smaller size (axial length) of your eye.

Types of prescription lenses include:

Eyeglasses
This is a simple, safe, and recommended way to sharpen decreased vision caused by farsightedness and/or relieve any symptoms associated with eyestrain.

Contact lenses
Ask your eye doctor about the pros and cons of contact lenses and what might be best for you.

Refractive surgery
These surgical treatments correct farsightedness by reshaping the curvature of your cornea. This is not usually the first treatment option but in some cases, it might be indicated.

Contact Us

60-62 Frederick Street, Port of Spain

1-868-620-EYES (3937)

ultimateeyewearltd@gmail.com

ultimateeyewearltd.com

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday : 8:00AM – 5:00PM

Saturdays: 9:00AM – 1:00PM

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Adapting to Progressive lenses

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Things you should know

about adapting to Progressive lenses

If you purchase new progressive lenses after every 2 years, you’ve heard your Eye Care provider say that it may take up to 2 weeks to fully adapt to your new spectacles. Ever wondered why? 

There are many reasons why your eyes may need time to adjust and this adjustment period varies between patients. Some take a few days while some might take a few weeks to fully adapt.

Some believe it’s because of the new prescription, but in reality, your prescription can stay the same yet your eyes will still need time to adjust, and here are some reasons why.

Any change in prescription, no matter how small will require time for the brain to adjust to receiving the new images/ signals.

Another reason why your eyes will need time to adjust, is the change in your lens material.
When changing from one lens material to the next, the passage of light through the material behaves differently and the brain simply needs a little time to adjust to this change.

Selecting a frame with a different front curvature will require a different base curve for your lens. This change will affect the image created by the lenses, therefore requiring the eyes to adapt.

A change in the shape of your frames will also lead to the need for adaptation. For example, a simple thing like changing from a round frame to a square frame will require time for adaptation.

Let’s say the new rectangle frame you selected has a bigger or smaller frame size than the one you previously wore, this will also require you to have a change in your lens size. This change will require adaptation!

Now imagine that all these little changes we just discussed are taking place at the same time and you should now understand why moving from one pair of spectacles to another will require a period of adaptation with progressive lenses.

You may have heard stories about adapting to progressive lenses. One story that stands out, is the fear of using stairs, or an uncomfortable feeling when on the stairs. This fear stems from the different powers in the progressive lenses that gradually change from near to far.
This differentiates progressive lenses from single vision lenses that only have one power over the entire lens or bifocal lenses that have 2 set powers; so all in all, progressive lenses require adaptation.

Here’s what you can expect while adapting to progressive lenses. Not everyone will experience all of these symptoms, however, its better you know what to expect, so you will be prepared.
Some may experience; headaches, dizziness, nausea, feeling unsafe using stairs, and issues with depth perception, that’s where you’re not sure how far objects are from you.

Some may also have difficulty adapting during the first few minutes, challenges focusing between the intermediate and near distance, or you may even experience peripheral vision distortion – which feels like a narrow field of vision.

These symptoms may sound scary but the GOOD thing is that they will go away! The benefits of progressive lenses outweigh the initial challenges. It’s a versatile lens that will allow you to live life to its FULLEST and it’s well worth the adaptation time. Progressive lenses require you to use your head, eyes and posture a little differently to get the most out of your lenses.

We know what you’re thinking, “How can I quickly and easily adapt to Progressive lenses” and we have the answers for you!

Here are a few ways to quickly adapt to progressive lenses!
Ensure your progressive lenses are your primary pair of eyeglasses. In other words, refrain from going back and forth between your previous pair and your progressive lenses as it will only take longer for you to adjust.

Progressive lenses have 3 main areas; distance, intermediate, and near. You’ll need to find and use these new areas of your lenses correctly, instead of only using the space most convenient to you.

Ensure you learn the zones, for example, the top is for distance, the middle is for intermediate and the bottom is for near vision. Once you learn these zones, you’ll need to use them correctly to experience the optimal benefits of your progressive lens.

One of the most important aspects of adaptation is ensuring that you have a comfortable frame that is well-adjusted to your face. With that said, ensuring your lenses are fitted well, is also a big aspect of adaptation. Upon collection of your progressive lenses, the team at Ultimate Eyewear Ltd will also share additional tips on how to adapt quickly. 😉

Remember, if you experience symptoms of Presbyopia, book your eye exam and our optometrists will recommend the best prescription lens for you.

Contact Us

60-62 Frederick Street, Port of Spain

1-868-620-EYES (3937)

ultimateeyewearltd@gmail.com

ultimateeyewearltd.com

Opening Hours

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Saturdays: 9:00AM – 1:00PM

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What are Bifocal and Progressive lenses?

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Things you should know

about Bifocal and Progressive lenses

Bifocal lenses are lenses that have only two lens powers. One power for seeing distant objects clearly (located at the top) and a second power in the

lower section of the lens (referred to as the segment) , for near vision. There is a visible “bifocal line” that is seen where these two different powers meet.

Progressive lenses, on the other hand, look the same as single vision lenses. Progressive lenses provide a seamless progression from distance to intermediate to near vision They help you see clearly at all distances, without the “bifocal line” that’s visible with Bifocal lenses.

We know what you’re thinking! You want to choose Progressive lenses over Bifocals to prevent those “bifocal lines?” Well, Progressive and Bifocal lenses are intended for different purposes and each possess their own benefits and drawbacks.

Firstly there is no “perfect lens” as each lens type has its own benefits and differences depending on your visual requirements.

Bifocal lenses are relatively simply compared to progressive lenses. They offer very wide and comfortable distance and reading zones but they lack an “intermediate zone” which is what is needed for computer use and any task that requires you to be at around an arms length distance. Bifocal lenses also have the “bifocal line” that some view as a cosmetic disadvantage.

Progressive lenses on the other hand do have an intermediate zone that allows for clear vision on computers and any task at any distance as well as the advantage of no “bifocal line” BUT the distance and reading zones, when compared to bifocal lenses, are smaller. The progressive lens design also dictates that you must use more head movements to ensure that your eye always stays within the center region of the lenses and not the periphery in order to maintain clear vision.

As you can see, both Progressive and Bifocals have great benefits but they also have differences based on your particular visual requirements. If you experience symptoms of Presbyopia, book your eye exam and your optometrist will recommend which prescription lens is best for you!

Contact Us

60-62 Frederick Street, Port of Spain

1-868-620-EYES (3937)

ultimateeyewearltd@gmail.com

ultimateeyewearltd.com

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday : 8:00AM – 5:00PM

Saturdays: 9:00AM – 1:00PM

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What you need to know about Presbyopia

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Things you should know

about Presbyopia

First time hearing the word “Presbyopia“? Well, it may sound strange but it’s a natural part of the aging process for our eyes. In Greek, Presbyopia means ‘old eye’ and it’s just that. As we age, our eyes may lose the ability to focus on close objects. As a result, someone with Presbyopia may hold reading material or devices further away to see better. Has anyone experienced this? If you’ve experienced this, don’t worry!  Book an eye exam and your optometrist will diagnose you with a series of tests. The treatment options include Prescription lenses such as Bifocal and Progressive lenses.

Contact Us

60-62 Frederick Street, Port of Spain

1-868-620-EYES (3937)

ultimateeyewearltd@gmail.com

ultimateeyewearltd.com

Opening Hours

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Your Prescription explained

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Things you should know

about your prescription

Your prescription is important as it will tell if you’re Shortsighted (can’t see far) , Long Sighted ( could see distance and near but might experience : Frontal Headaches, Burning and Watering eyes ), or if you have Astigmatism (blurry vision plus eyestrain) or Presbyopia (An age related inability to read fine print that starts at or around the age of 40 years old).

We will discuss what the numbers/abbreviations on the prescription mean today, and dive deeper into the other elements later in the next few segments. It’s important to note that a prescription for eyeglasses is written in a standardized format, this is done so it can be interpreted worldwide.

Let’s start with the abbreviations, You may see “DV” and “NV” indicated on your prescription form, this indicates whether vision correction is needed for distance vision (DV) or near vision (NV). You may also see the abbreviations O.D and O.S; these are simply terms for the right eye or left eye. For example, the right eye is the Oculus Dexter (O.D) and the left eye is the Oculus Sinister (O.S). If you see an abbreviation of DS (Dioptre Sphere), this means that Astigmatism is not present.

Now that you’re familiar with the abbreviations, let’s move on to the numbers on your prescription.

The 1st number on your prescription indicates the spherical lens power/ strength needed to correct your short-sightedness or long-sightedness.

If the number starts with a minus sign (-), the lens power would be one to correct short-sightedness. If the number starts with a plus sign (+), then the lens power would be one to correct long-sightedness.

The 2nd number is called the “cylinder” power, and it’s prescribed for the correction of Astigmatism. If there is no second number then the eye is totally Spherical and as mentioned above, you will see the symbol DS.

The third number, the “axis” indicates the location of the lens correction (cylinder) for persons with Astigmatism. The value for the axis ranges from 0-180 degrees. If you don’t have Astigmatism, this part of your eyeglasses prescription will be left blank.

The 4th number is known as the “prism” which is used to correct uneven or misaligned eyes, commonly called Squints. You may also see the words “PD” (Pupillary Distance) written, with a notation. The PD is simply the distance between the center of your pupils.

If the cylinder (CYL) field is blank, then you don’t have Astigmatism, or you only have a very mild form that doesn’t need correcting. A minus sign (-) corresponds to short-sightedness and a plus sign (+) corresponds to long-sightedness.

Another aspect of your prescription related to Astigmatism is the “axis”. The “axis” is a number ranging from 0-180 degrees. If you don’t have Astigmatism, this part of your eyeglasses prescription will be left blank.

If your prescription indicates that you need a cylindrical lens power (for Astigmatism), then you’ll also have an axis power. The axis number tells the eyeglass manufacturer where on your lens the astigmatism correction should be located. also see the words “PD” (Pupillary Distance) written, with a notation. The PD is simply the distance between the center of your pupils.

If you have Presbyopia and need multi-focal lenses (Bi-focal/ Progressives), you will see numbers in both the Distance vision (D.V) and near vision (N.V) sections of your prescription.
In addition to the above, you may also see the word “Add” written below “Distance” on your prescription. “Add” is a number that will represent the magnifying power to be added to the lower half of your progressive or bifocal lenses, this is done to help restore your near vision. The “add” number is typically the same for both eyes.

Once your near vision s restored, you won’t have to worry about holding your reading material at arm’s length in order to see it!

Contact Us

60-62 Frederick Street, Port of Spain

1-868-620-EYES (3937)

ultimateeyewearltd@gmail.com

ultimateeyewearltd.com

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