Visual acuity is described as the number 20 over another number.

20/20 is considered normal, though not perfect vision, as it allows for some imperfections. Each line of the eye chart has a number next to it that indicates the distance in feet at which a person with normal vision can read it. Larger letters have higher numbers, because they can be read from greater distances. For example, in the chart above, the "Big E" is on the 200 line, while the "H" and "N" are on the 100 line. A person with normal vision can read the "E" at 200 feet, while the "H" and "N" are only visible from 100 feet. The first number in the description of visual acuity indicates the distance from the patient to the chart. The standard is 20 feet, so the first number is usually 20. The second number represents the smallest line on the chart the patient can read. For example, if the patient can only read down to the 50 line, then the vision is 20/50. In other words, the patient can see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can see from 50 feet. Many people don't realize that 20/15 vision is even better than 20/20. With 20/15, the patient can see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision would have to move to within 15 feet of the chart to see. Laser vision correction can significantly improve a person's uncorrected vision. With today's technology, most patients are able to see 20/20 or better. Patients with low to moderate degrees of correction have predictably good results. However, some patients with extremely high prescriptions may still require the use of glasses or contacts for the best possible vision, even after successful surgery. Understanding Prescriptions In order to understand the relative ease of a particular correction and the likelihood that a patient will qualify for surgery, it is helpful to learn about eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions. The basic format for a prescription is: +/ sphere +/ cylinder x axis. Here are some examples: -3.25 -1.75 x 176 +1.25 -0.50 x 90 +2.00 +1.50 x 87 Plano +0.50 x 66 -6.50 sph. Sphere refers to the amount of nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). If the sphere number is negative, the patient is nearsighted. If it is positive, he or she is farsighted. Sphere numbers of zero are called "plano" or abbreviated "PL".

Cylinder refers to the amount of astigmatism. If no astigmatism is present, then the prescription will only have a number for sphere. Cylinder can be expressed as either a positive or negative number. Most surgeons use positive numbers, known as "plus cylinder format", while most non-surgeons use negative numbers, know as minus cylinder format. Prescriptions in minus cylinder need to be converted into plus cylinder in order to accurately read the following tables. To convert a prescription, simply add the sphere and cylinder to obtain the converted sphere and change the cylinder to a positive number. If the axis is =>90, then subtract 90 for the new axis, otherwise add 90. Prescription Conversion Example original prescription in minus cylinder = -3.25 -1.75 x 176 -3.25 + (-1.75) = -5.00 = new sphere +1.75 = new cylinder 176 - 90 = 86 = new axis -5.00 +1.75 x 86 = converted prescription in plus cylinder

Axis refers to the direction on the clock hour of the astigmatism. It is not necessary to understand anything about the axis number when contemplating laser vision correction, nor is it necessary to understand any of the following terms that are occasionally found on a prescription: "Add", "Prism", "Base Curve", "Diameter" and "Pupillary Distance (PD)". However, if a prescription contains the word Prism, this finding should be mentioned to the doctor, as it may indicate an eye alignment problem that makes laser vision correction inadvisable. Here are some prescription examples: Sample Prescription #1: 3.75 0.50 x 180 -3.75 sphere -0.50 cylinder 180 axis

Because the sphere is negative, this individual is nearsighted. Notice, however, that the cylinder number is in minus format (i.e., a negative number). When converted to plus cylinder format, the resultant prescription is 4.25 +0.50 x 90. Sample Prescription #2: +2.25 sph, add +1.25

+2.25 sphere

none cylinder

none axis

Because the sphere is positive, this individual is farsighted. The "add" number is used when a bifocal lens is needed to help with reading. The "add" number is not relevant for our purposes. Notice there is no number for cylinder, so this individual doesn't have astigmatism. Sample #3: 2.251.50x110, BC=8.8 Dia=14.0 -2.25 sphere -1.50 cylinder 110 axis

This is a contact lens prescription. The terms BC (base curve) and Dia (diameter) refer to the size of the lens. It is not necessary to understand these terms for our purposes. When converted to plus cylinder format, the prescription reads 3.75 +1.50 x 20. With the basics in mind, lets take a look at what prescription numbers mean with respect to the relative ease of a particular correction and the likelihood of qualifying for surgery. The basic concept is as expected. Eyes with lower prescription numbers are easier to correct and less likely to run into issues that make surgery inadvisable. But, what is a low prescription? Though each surgeon has his or her own criteria, here are some general guidelines. Please note that prescriptions with a negative number for astigmatism (cylinder) must be converted to plus cylinder format before using the tables below. Myopia (Nearsightedness) 0.00 to -3.00 -3.01 to -6.00 -6.01 to -9.00 -9.01 to -12.00 <-12.01 low moderate high very high extreme

Hyperopia (Farsightedness) 0.00 to +2.00 +2.01 to +4.00 +4.01 to +6.00 low to moderate moderate to very high very high to extreme Astigmatism 0.00 to +1.50 +1.51 to +3.00 +3.01 to +4.50 +4.51 to +6.00 low to moderate moderate to high high to very high very high to extreme