If you've ever looked at your eye prescription, you might have noticed abbreviations like "DS" listed under certain columns. While these letters can seem confusing, they play an essential role in defining your visual needs. In this blog, we’ll explain what “DS” means and why it appears on some prescriptions.

1. What is DS in an eye prescription?
2. How to fill DS in the CYL (Cylinder) column of your prescription?
3. How to fill SPH in the CYL (Cylinder) column of your prescription?
4. How DS impacts your lenses?

1. What Is DS in an Eye Prescription?

• DS stands for “Diopters Sphere” or simply “Sphere Only”. It indicates that no astigmatism correction is needed for that particular eye. Instead, the lens prescription focuses solely on correcting nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia).
• Diopters (D): The unit of measurement used to indicate the strength of the lens needed to correct your vision.
• Sphere (SPH): Refers to the spherical correction of your vision, addressing refractive errors like myopia or hyperopia.

2. How to fill DS in the CYL (Cylinder) column of your prescription?

When "DS" is written in the CYL (Cylinder) column of your prescription, it means your eye doctor has determined there is no astigmatism to correct, you don't need to fill anything or leave it as default 0.00. 

3. How to fill SPH in the CYL (Cylinder) column of your prescription?

Same as "DS" in the CYL (Cylinder) column, sometimes it will shown as "SPH",  it also means your eye doctor has determined there is no astigmatism to correct, you don't need to fill anything or leave it as default 0.00. 

4. How DS impacts your lenses?

DS ensures clarity for both you and the lens manufacturer. With no astigmatism correction, the lenses can be manufactured more simply. If you have complex prescriptions in one eye and DS in the other, it helps balance lens production.

Seeing “DS” on your prescription is nothing to worry about—it’s simply a notation indicating no astigmatism correction is needed. It helps ensure your glasses or contacts are tailored perfectly to your vision requirements. If you still have issues about how to fill your prescription, we offer the option to "upload the prescription" when coming to fill the prescription, you just need to upload a photo and we'll filled it for you.