Spherical Equivalent

The spherical equivalent is a way to simplify a person's eyeglass prescription by combining the main correction for nearsightedness or farsightedness (sphere) with half of any astigmatism correction (cylinder). It provides a single value that represents the overall focusing power needed for clear distance vision. This measurement helps eye care professionals quickly compare prescriptions and understand the general level of refractive error. Essentially, the spherical equivalent offers an approximate, streamlined assessment of eye prescription, making it easier to analyze and communicate visual correction needs.