Eye Prescription (Chashme Ka Number): SPH, CYL, Axis Explained (Video)

2:17 min

Read the full written guide: Eye Prescription (Chashme Ka Number): SPH, CYL, Axis Explained →

We break down every part of an eye prescription, from SPH and CYL to ADD, so you can read your slip with confidence. Learn the simple 20-20-20 habit that eases eye strain during screen time.

This video gives practical tips you can use today, but it’s not medical advice. For deeper details, read the full post on thecareonline.com.

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Transcript

Did you know a -0.50 prescription is considered mild?

Did you know a -0.50 prescription is considered mild?

Eye Prescription Basics

In this video we’ll walk through every part of an eye prescription, explain what each number means, and end with the single habit that can really ease eye strain.

Mild prescription range

A minus half dioptre, written as -0.50, marks the cutoff for mild short-sightedness; most people at this level see fine without glasses for most daily tasks.

Reading the slip

The prescription sheet lists SPH, which is the overall lens power; CYL and AXIS together describe any astigmatism and its orientation; and ADD adds extra plus power for near work, usually after age forty.

Mild, moderate, high

Eye doctors typically categorize prescriptions into three ranges: mild, up to about minus three dioptres; moderate, between roughly minus three point two five and minus six; and high, anything beyond minus six, which may warrant regular retinal monitoring.

Lens not health

A quick reminder: the numbers on your slip describe the corrective lens you need, not the underlying health of your eyes; they’re a tool, not a diagnosis.

Simple screen habit

A simple habit to protect your eyes while you work on a screen is the 20-20-20 rule: every twenty minutes, look at something about six metres away for twenty seconds; this helps reduce dryness and fatigue.

20-20-20 rule

The 20-20-20 rule uses easy numbers: 20 minutes of close work, then a 20-second break looking at something 20 feet, roughly six metres, away; it’s a quick reset for your visual system.

The one habit to ease strain

The one habit that makes a noticeable difference is the 20-20-20 break, do it every twenty minutes, focus on something six metres away for twenty seconds, and you’ll feel less eye strain throughout the day.

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Read the full guide

Read the complete guide on thecareonline.com. This is general information, not medical advice.

Nothing on The Care Online is medical advice. Traditional practices are described as tradition, not as fact. Take a persistent or serious concern to a qualified professional. See how videos and posts are made on our methodology page.