How Do Prescriptions For Contact Lenses Differ From Prescriptions For Glasses?

Dr. Colby answers the question: 'Is Rx For Glasses, Contacts Different?'

ByABC News
December 23, 2008, 5:52 PM

Aug. 24, 2009— -- Question: How do prescriptions for contact lenses differ from prescriptions for glasses?

Answer: Generally your eyeglass prescription will be very similar to your contact lens prescription. If you're very nearsighted or very farsighted, there may be some difference -- the strength of the contact lens may be not exactly identical to the strength of the glass. Also if you have astigmatism corrected in your spectacle lenses and you're not wearing toric contact lenses, then this astigmatism will not be corrected in the contact lenses. But generally, the prescription for contact lenses is fairly close for the prescription for glasses.