It may seem like gibberish but those numbers and abbreviations on your contact lens prescription are important. When ordering contact lenses online, you’ll need to have your prescription handy to ensure you’re getting the right lenses. Not only will the correct contact lens prescription enable you to see clearly, it will also mean the lenses you order actually fit your eyes for optimal comfort and safety. Confused by the jargon? Have no fear. Fresh Lens is here with our guide to understanding your contact lens prescription.
Most contact lens prescriptions contain the following abbreviations:
If you have astigmatism, your prescription will also contain the following:
If you need bifocal or multifocal lens your prescription will note:
Your prescription may also note the color of the lenses if you’re going for fancy colored contacts as well as an expiration date, which is usually one to two years after the fitting.
While it may seem convenient to forgo the trip to the eye doctor to get a prescription, it’s ill advised. By law, to purchase contact lenses in the U.S. you need a valid prescription from an eye care practitioner (either an optometrist of ophthalmologist). Why? Because contact lenses are considered medical devices and if they don’t fit right or aren’t made from approved materials, you won’t be able to see clearly and you run the risk of infection, abrasions or in rare cases, permanent damage to the eyes. When people buy contact lenses in Canada or the U.S. from Fresh Lens, we require a valid prescription. You can be rest assured your vision will be on point, the lenses will fit and your eyes will be comfortable.
So now that we’ve explained the ins and outs of your contact lens prescription, are you ready to go get your eyes examined so you can order a batch of contacts online? Well, it’s important to note that the eye exam for contact lenses includes a few extra steps and your eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions are different. So when you see your ophthalmologist or optometrist be sure to indicate you want a contact lens fitting as well.
After you navigate your way through the usual, “Which one is clearer? A or B?” and stare down that eye chart, the eye care professional will measure your cornea using an instrument called a keratometer and might break out the corneal topographer for an even more precise evaluation. The size of the pupil and iris may be measured too. They’ll then take a look at the surface of your eye and check out the contact lens’s fit with a trial pair and a biomicroscope. Once they’ve nailed down which contact lenses will work best for you, you’ll be given your prescription. Then you’ll be ready to take advantage of the ease of ordering contact lenses online in the U.S. and Canada, at Fresh Lens, of course.
![]() ACUVUE OASYS - 12 PACK |
![]() ACUVUE OASYS FOR ASTIGMATISM |
I will definitely be ordering from you again fresh lens!! I can't believe how fast I got them, even with the standard delivery! Thank you so much for being awesome!! One happy customer right here!!
I can't stop talking about your company! Thank you for the awesome customer service and quick delivery all the way here in Texas!
couldn't be happier with my ordering experience! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Second time ordering from this company. Excellent product. No issues. Will be placing future orders.
Very pleased with shipping as well as product, price is also great
Fresh Lens
Author