Purchasing discount eyeglasses online is a very simple process when you have your eyeglass prescription. Your optometrist can provide you with your prescription usually over the phone. Here are a few things to have handy when ordering online.

If your old eyeglass prescription is still bringing clear vision in your present lenses, then call up your optometrist to get your prescription. If your prescription is outdated, then you will have to go to an optometrist to get a new one. General eye exams are usually covered by your vision insurance, if you have one. Check with your vision insurance provider to be certain. Here are some terms you’ll need to be aware of when ordering.

OD - Your right eye.
OS - Your left eye.
Sph or Spherical - How near (-) or far (+) sighted you are. If you have ‘PL’, that means you are at zero.
Add - For bifocals.
Cylinder and Axis - For astigmatism, meaning that your eyeball is not perfectly spherical.

Pupillary Distance (PD) is the distance between your pupils, usually measured in millimeters. Pupillary distance generally falls between 54 and 68 mm. Optometrists will usually take this measurement during your exam, but if they don’t, then you can measure the distance yourself with a mirror and a ruler. Most optometrists will not write this number on your prescription, because they know that it gives you the ability to shop online. Ask them to write this number down if they haven’t.

Sharp Glasses offers discount prescription glasses. The website www.sharpglasses.com offers complete information about the company.