What To Do After Getting Your Eyeglass Prescription
You finished your eye exam and received a new prescription. Now you need to decide what to do with it — understand the numbers, choose the right lens type, decide whether to keep your current frames, and select how you want your new glasses made.
Already know what you need? Go directly to lens selection.
Choose Your Lens Category
Your prescription and daily activities help determine which lens category may be appropriate for you.
Your Next Steps After an Eye Exam
After getting your eyeglass prescription from an eye exam, the next step is deciding how you want to update your glasses. Many people assume they must immediately buy new glasses from the same location where the exam took place, but that is not always necessary.
Your prescription belongs to you, and you can choose how you use it. Understanding the information on it and knowing your available options can make the next decision much easier.
Review Your Prescription
Make sure you can clearly identify the measurements for your right and left eyes.
Decide What Needs Updating
Your lenses may need to change even when your current frames are still perfectly usable.
Choose Your Lens Type
Match your prescription and lifestyle with the lens category that fits your daily vision needs.
Review Your Eyeglass Prescription
Your prescription includes the measurements needed to correct your vision. These values guide how lenses are produced for your glasses.
Typical prescription elements may include sphere, cylinder, axis, ADD power, pupillary distance and separate values for each eye.
The primary lens power used to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Additional correction that may be prescribed when astigmatism is present.
Works with cylinder and identifies the orientation of astigmatism correction.
Additional near-vision power commonly used for progressive or reading prescriptions.
A measurement used to help position the optical centers of the lenses relative to your eyes.
Prescription values are normally listed separately for each eye.
Decide What You Want to Do With Your New Prescription
Once you understand your prescription, you have several possible paths depending on the frames you already own and what you want to change.
I Am Not Sure If I Need New Glasses
Learn when a prescription change requires new lenses versus when completely new frames may make more sense.
Do I Need New Glasses? →I Want to Keep My Current Frames
If your current glasses still fit well and are in suitable condition, you may be able to replace only the lenses.
Replace Lenses in My Frames →I Bought New Frames Somewhere Else
Already purchased frames online or from another retailer? Learn about adding prescription lenses.
Add Lenses to New Frames →Consider Your Lens Options
After receiving a new prescription, you may want to choose lenses that match both your prescription and how you use your glasses every day.
Use Your Prescription With the Frames You Already Own.
Choose your new lenses online and start the replacement process.
Compare Your Options Before You Decide
A new prescription does not necessarily require replacing every part of your glasses. Consider whether your current frames still work well for you.
Keeping Your Frames May Make Sense If...
- Your current frames still fit comfortably
- The frame is structurally sound
- You like the style and shape
- The main change is your prescription
- You want to update or upgrade your lenses
New Frames May Make More Sense If...
- Your frames are cracked or damaged
- The hinges or bridge are unreliable
- The frame does not fit comfortably
- The material has become brittle or heavily worn
- You want a completely different style
Use Your Prescription
Once you have reviewed the prescription and decided what you want to do, you can move forward with updating your glasses.
Some people choose completely new glasses. Others keep their current frames and use the new prescription to replace only the lenses.
Choose Your Lens Category
Select the lens type that matches your prescription and daily use.
Provide Your Prescription
Submit the prescription information required for your order.
Send Your Frames
If you are keeping your frames, ship them securely or request a free shipping kit.
Your Frames Are Reviewed
Frames can be inspected for suitability before lens production.
Receive Your Updated Glasses
Your new prescription lenses are installed and the completed glasses are shipped back to you.
Questions After Getting an Eyeglass Prescription
Do I have to buy glasses where I had my eye exam?
After receiving your prescription, you can evaluate different options for obtaining lenses or glasses rather than assuming you must purchase a new pair immediately at the exam location.
Can I keep my current frames after getting a new prescription?
If your frames are still in suitable condition and compatible with your prescription and lens choice, replacing the lenses may be an option.
What does SPH mean on my prescription?
SPH stands for sphere and represents the primary lens power used for nearsightedness or farsightedness correction.
What do CYL and AXIS mean?
CYL and AXIS are values used together when astigmatism correction is included in the prescription.
What is ADD on an eyeglass prescription?
ADD indicates additional near-vision power and is commonly seen on prescriptions for progressive or multifocal lenses.
What if my prescription does not show my PD?
Pupillary distance may be recorded separately from the prescription. If additional measurements are needed for your lens order, they can be addressed before production.
Can I choose thinner lenses with my new prescription?
Different lens materials are available depending on prescription, frame and lens type. High-index materials can provide thinner options for many stronger prescriptions.
Can I switch to progressive lenses after my eye exam?
If your prescription includes the required near-vision correction and progressive lenses are appropriate for your prescription, progressive lens options can be considered.
Turn Your New Prescription Into New Lenses.
If you already have frames you like, you may not need to start over. Choose your lens type, send your frames and update your vision.