> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bizaxl.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Optical Prescription
> How to record, store, and share spectacle and contact lens prescriptions - and how patients can view their prescription history online.
The optical prescription is one of the most important documents an eye care center issues. A patient's complete prescription history - going back years - tells the clinician how their vision has changed over time and whether the change is within expected limits. Prescriptions stored in the system can be retrieved instantly at any visit, printed for the patient, or emailed directly.
***
## Before You Start
* You need the **Healthcare Practitioner** role (Ophthalmologist or Optometrist).
* A Patient Encounter (eye examination) must be started for the current visit.
* Refraction must have been completed before recording the prescription.
***
## What an Optical Prescription Contains
A full spectacle prescription has values for each eye:
| Parameter | What It Means |
| ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Sphere (SPH) | The main lens power for distance correction. Negative values (-) correct short-sightedness (myopia); positive values (+) correct long-sightedness (hypermetropia) |
| Cylinder (CYL) | The additional power needed to correct astigmatism. Can be negative or positive depending on the notation used |
| Axis | The orientation of the cylinder, measured in degrees (1-180). Only relevant when CYL is present |
| Add (Addition) | The extra power added for reading/near vision. Used for presbyopia patients (typically from mid-40s). Always positive |
| Prism | A rare additional component for patients with eye alignment problems (strabismus, diplopia) |
| Pupillary Distance (PD) | The distance between the centre of the right pupil and centre of the left pupil, in millimetres. The optician needs this to correctly position the lenses in the frame |
A contact lens prescription also includes:
| Parameter | What It Means |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Base Curve (BC) | The curvature of the back of the contact lens, matched to the corneal curve |
| Diameter | The size of the contact lens |
| Brand | The specific contact lens brand being prescribed |
***
## Recording a Spectacle Prescription
Spectacle prescriptions are recorded inside the Patient Encounter (eye examination) using the Drug Prescription section and/or the Review Details free text field.
### Method 1: Review Details Field (Recommended for Full Documentation)
In the **Review Details** field of the Patient Encounter, record the full refraction and prescription in a standard format:
```
SUBJECTIVE REFRACTION:
RE: -2.00 / -0.50 x 180 (VA: 6/6)
LE: -1.75 / -0.75 x 170 (VA: 6/6)
BVA: 6/6
NEAR ADDITION: +2.00 (both eyes)
PD: 32mm R / 32mm L (64mm total)
PRESCRIPTION FOR DISTANCE AND READING:
RE: -2.00 / -0.50 x 180 Add +2.00
LE: -1.75 / -0.75 x 170 Add +2.00
```
### Method 2: Drug Prescription Table (for Structured Prescription Entry)
If your center uses the Drug Prescription table for prescriptions:
1. In the **Drug Prescription** section, add a row
2. In Drug Code, search for "Spectacle Prescription" (set up as an item)
3. In the Dosage/Notes or Period field, record the prescription values
***
## Printing the Prescription
Once the examination is submitted:
1. Open the Patient Encounter record
2. Click **Print**
3. Select the "Spectacle Prescription" print format (if configured by your admin)
4. Print and hand to the patient
The prescription printout typically includes:
* Patient name and date of birth
* Examination date
* Prescription values for each eye
* Doctor/optometrist name and signature
* Clinic name and contact details
***
## Emailing the Prescription
If the patient prefers email:
1. Open the submitted Patient Encounter
2. Click **Email**
3. The prescription is sent to the patient's email address on their profile
The patient can also view their prescription through the patient portal (see [Patient Portal](/health-wellness/eye-care-center/patient-portal) section below).
***
## Recording a Contact Lens Prescription
Contact lens prescriptions are recorded similarly in the Review Details field, with the additional parameters:
```
CONTACT LENS PRESCRIPTION:
RE: -2.00 / -0.50 x 180 BC: 8.6 Dia: 14.2 Brand: [Brand Name]
LE: -1.75 / -0.75 x 170 BC: 8.6 Dia: 14.2 Brand: [Brand Name]
Wearing Schedule: Daily disposable / Monthly / Extended wear
Review: 6 months
```
***
## Viewing Prescription History
Because every prescription is stored in a submitted Patient Encounter, the patient's full prescription history is available in the **Patient History** timeline.
1. Open Patient History (from the workspace shortcut)
2. Search for the patient
3. Filter by "Patient Encounter" record type
4. Scroll through the timeline to see each examination and its prescription
This is extremely useful for tracking:
* Progression of myopia in children (is the prescription changing rapidly?)
* Stability of glaucoma treatment (are IOPs staying controlled?)
* Changes in cataract patients (when does the vision deterioration warrant surgery?)
***
## Prescription on the Patient Portal
Patients with portal access can log in and view their prescriptions at any time without calling the clinic.
On the portal, the patient sees submitted Patient Encounter records. The prescription is inside the encounter record they open.
**To enable portal access for a patient:** Open the Patient record, tick Invite as User, and save. See [Patient Management](/health-wellness/eye-care-center/patient-management) for the full setup process.
***
## Best Practices
* Always record the visual acuity achieved with the new prescription alongside the prescription values - a prescription that gives 6/12 instead of 6/6 needs a note explaining why (amblyopia, corneal scar, etc.)
* For children's prescriptions, note the cycloplegic refraction separately from the subjective refraction - the cycloplegic result (done under eye drops) is the true refractive error; the subjective is what the child can actually tolerate in their glasses
* Always note whether the prescription is for distance only, reading only, or bifocal/progressive lenses - the optician cannot dispense correctly without this
* For contact lens prescriptions, note the wearing schedule and review date - contact lens patients need regular checks that differ from spectacle patients
* For presbyopic patients, note the near working distance if it is unusual - office workers need a different near addition to someone doing detailed close work (e.g., jewellery)
***
## Related Features
* [Eye Examination](/health-wellness/eye-care-center/eye-examination): The examination record where prescriptions are recorded
* [Patient Management](/health-wellness/eye-care-center/patient-management): Portal access for patients to view their prescriptions
* [Billing and Finance](/health-wellness/eye-care-center/billing-finance): Refraction and optical dispensing fees