What does an opticians prescription actually mean?

[r44flyer]

Hello all,

I have a pre-employment medical coming up so I thought I'd take a free eye test to see if I need to get glasses to attain the required standard. I've never had glasses before but haven't had my eyes tested for 5 years and I know that they're not perfect.

Anyway... prescription given as R -0.75 and L -0.50. But what does that mean in terms of visual acuity, ie. 6/6, 6/9 etc?

Thank you.

[cringle]

The right is approximately 6/12 and the left approx 6/9...

[DaveOrange]

The units of measurement are diopters. They are the value of a lens needed to correct the vision. -0.5 and -0.75 are pretty low meaning it won't need much of a lens to give perfect vision. If you don't fancy wearing glasses, laser eye surgery at that level should be very straightforward.
Very shortsighted (Myopic)is considered anything over -6.0. For the record I am -17.5 and -18.5 and wear contact lenses and am still within the legal driving limits.

[r44flyer]

Thank you both.

I seem to make the required standard without glasses then. Although I will consider getting some to improve things.

Laser surgery is a bar to employment though.

[Flibble]

I'm -1.75 and -2.0 and have 6/4 corrected vision with glasses, definitely worth looking into getting some.

[honestbob]

Why not get a pair for driving only. You'll be surprised how much more detail
you can see and be able to spot hazards sooner.

[FamilyDub]

DaveOrange said:

For the record I am -17.5 and -18.5 and wear contact lenses and am still within the legal driving limits.

I thought my -6.0 was bad!

[NateWM]

You guys have just made my -4.75 seem a lot better.

[bint]

FamilyDub said:

I thought my -6.0 was bad!

Indeed! I'm -8 and -7.5 and rarely met anyone close to that but wow wow wow that's blind. Astigmatism too???