Smith Prescription

To order Smith prescription glasses, you will need your current lens prescription including your PD measurement (pupillary distance).

Then, ordering is easy. Just choose your frame, select your lens options, and select "Add your prescription." Enter your prescription details in the Rx Wizard, then add to cart and checkout.

Trying to read a lens prescription can be confusing and you need to get the formula right so we can make the best pair of glasses for you. On your script you will have a sphere (to indicate the strength of the lens you need), a cylinder (which indicates the lens power needed to correct astigmatism), and an  axis (which indicates where to place the lens correction for astigmatism), among a few other details.

Single Vision

The most common prescription format is in the way of a grid with clearly printed fields for OD, OS, SPH, CYL, etc.; values are usually entered with computer, but may be handwritten by doctor.

Sphere (SPH) and Cylinder (CYL) always have a (+) or (-) sign.

On any prescription, PD can be written in different ways: e.g., 62 (Single PD), 33/31 (Dual PD), or 62/60 (Distance PD/Near PD).

Progressive

For multi-focal glasses, as well as reading and computer glasses, your Rx will include an ADD or NV value. This number always has a (+) sign.

The type of Rx glasses may be noted on a prescription, such as DV [Distance Vision/nearsightedness] and NV [Near Vision/reading].

Check out the following glossary for even more details on what the numbers in your eyeglasses prescription mean:

1. OD (Oculus Dexter), OS (Oculus Sinister)
OD and OS are key to reading any eyeglasses prescription, regardless of the correction type. Sometimes appearing as O.D. and O.S., they are Latin abbreviations for right eye (OD) and left eye (OS). Some doctors may use OU to reference both eyes. And sometimes you will see RE and LE for right eye and left eye respectively.

2. SPH (Sphere)
Measured in diopters, the SPH number refers to the lens power necessary for each eye. A minus (-) is used to correct nearsightedness. A plus (+) sign next to the number refers to farsightedness correction.

3. CYL (Cylinder)
CYL is the lens power (also called diopter) used to correct astigmatism. If you have no astigmatism or very slight one, this column will be blank. As with Sphere, a minus indicates lens power for nearsighted astigmatism, a plus indicates farsighted astigmatism.

4. Ax (Axis)
Like CYL, Ax only applies to astigmatism prescriptions. The Ax number refers to angle degrees (1 to 180). If your prescription includes Cylinder lens power, it must include Axis as well.

5. ADD
Only used for multifocal (progressive/bifocal) lenses, ADD refers to the added magnifying power applied to the bottom of the lens in multifocal lenses. PAL is used in some cases by doctors when the addition for progressive lenses is different compared to bifocals.

6. Prism
Prism is used to correct double vision or vision displacement. The Prism value refers to the number of
diopters applied to compensate for image alignment issues. We are not able to accommodate eyeglasses prescriptions that need Prism.

7. PD (Pupillary Distance)
Pupillary distance measures the distance between your pupils. If it's not included in your prescription, you can easily measure it yourself. It's important to measure from the center of one pupil to the center of the other. PD is measured in mm and can be one number like 64 or two numbers like 31/33. The first number in a twonumber PD is the Right or OD. Getting the two-number PD is always the best choice when creating custom made eyewear as it centers each Rx in front of each eye, versus the less accurate method of dividing the single number by two.

1. Stand 8-12 inches away from a mirror.
2. Hold a ruler against your brow or cheekbones.
3. Close your right eye and align the ruler end with the
   center of your left pupil.
4. Look straight ahead, close your left eye, and open your right eye. Note the measurement to the center of your right pupil.

Pupillary distance measures the distance between your pupils. If it's not included in your prescription, you can visit AccuPD a free tool that measures your PD.

PD is measured in mm and can be one number like 64 or two numbers like 31/33. The first number in a twonumber PD is the Right or OD. Getting the two-number PD is always the best choice when creating custom made eyewear as it centers each Rx in front of each eye, versus the less accurate method of dividing the single number by two.

Once you've placed your order, it normally takes 10 - 14 business days to prepare a prescription order for shipping. We offer free 2-day shipping on most prescription eyeglass orders.

You can track the progress of your order by either signing into your Account or using our Order Tracker.

Once your order ships, we'll send you an email with tracking details. You can also keep tabs on your order’s progress through the “Track My Order” link in your confirmation email. 

No. All Smith prescription orders must include a valid prescription submitted with the order using the Smith Rx online wizard.

Thanks for choosing Smith. As soon as your order is placed, our lab gets to work and starts making your glasses. As a result, there isn't a delay that allows us time to change orders once they’re submitted.

Please review our Returns policy for more information.

Smith is committed to quality, and we've built our reputation on long-lasting, high-performing products.

All Smith Rx prescription products come with a two-year guarantee from defects in workmanship and
manufacturer materials. This limited warranty is only valid to the original purchaser with a proof of purchase from SmithOptics.com. We will replace defective product that meets the above criteria at no charge.

Please be advised that the Smith warranty is for authentic Smith Optics products including authentic Smith lenses, frames, and parts without modification of any sort. Any alteration to lenses, frame parts, or nose pads voids all warranties.

How it Works
The warranty process normally takes 1-2 weeks. To start a warranty claim, head over to the Smith Warranty Claim Form. To help make the warranty process go smoothly, you'll need the following:

1. Product name and model
2. The product SKU or UPC number. These identify the specific model, colorway, and size. They can be found on the original packaging or on the product page at smithoptics.com.
3. Photos that clearly show the problem with your product. Check out Warranty Claim Photos for examples.
4. Proof of Purchase is required for all Rx product.

If your warranty claim is approved, you will be responsible for the cost of shipping replacement product to you.

Limitation on Damages
For breach of any written or implied warranty on this product, the consumer is limited to damages of repair of the product or replacement with an identical or equivalent style, at the election of Smith Optics. Smith Optics is NOT liable for any other damages, such as special, incidental, or consequential damages, resulting from the use of this product. Note: Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of special, incidental, or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights that vary from state to state. This warranty extends to residents of the United States only.

Our Smith Rx return policy is the same as our standard. We want you to be happy with your Smith purchase and accept product returns for full price online orders within 30 days of the purchase date provided products are unused and in the original packaging. Learn more about our Return Process here. 

Pro Program orders are not eligible for return at this time.

Sometimes, it takes a few days to adjust to a new prescription. If you are still having issues after a few days, please fill out the Smith Warranty Form so we can help troubleshoot the problem.

If you're having trouble placing your order, reach out via our Customer Support page.

If you need multiple pairs of glasses with different prescriptions — like a pair for you and a pair for your spouse or a pair for reading and a pair for driving — you can simply add another prescription to a second pair of glasses in the same order. However, the glasses will most likely ship separately. You can also order a helmet (or other Smith products) and a pair of prescription glasses in the same order.

Yes, you can order prescription glasses as a gift, but you will need the recipient's current prescription details including their PD measurement (pupillary distance).

We recommend that you get an eye exam at your local vision center for the most current prescription possible. If your current prescription is still valid, contact your doctor for a copy. Be sure to include your PD (pupillary distance) measurement.

We can fill most prescriptions; however, some frames have a limited range due the frame curvature. You will receive an error in our Rx Wizard or your range will not be available if we are unable to fill.

Unfortunately, we are not able to request prescriptions directly from a doctor or clinic. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects your health data and requires that you make the request. Once you have a copy of your prescription, you can complete your order. 

If you have questions about reading your prescription, checkout our Rx tips.

We aren't able to match a prescription from an existing pair of glasses. All Smith prescription orders require you to submit your prescription along with your order.

No, we are not able create eyeglasses using a contact lens prescription. Contact prescriptions are specific to contacts. Most vision plans cover an annual eye exam, so we recommend that you get a fresh eye exam before ordering for the most up-to-date prescription possible.

Most eyewear prescriptions are good for two years, but expiration dates can vary by doctor and prescription needs. Most vision plans cover an annual eye exam, so we recommend that you get a fresh eye exam before ordering for the most up-to-date prescription possible.

We do not currently fill contact lens prescriptions.

Glass lenses are not currently available for prescription orders.

We're glad you like your Smith prescription glasses enough to get a second pair, but we require that you enter your prescription any time you place a Smith prescription order. We recommend that you get an eye exam before ordering, so your new Smith glasses have the most up-to-date prescription possible.

We offer a variety of Rx lens options including clear and sunglass tints. Learn more about Smith prescription lens options here.

Single-vision lenses offer one correction value throughout the entire lens, typically for distance or close-up.

Progressive lenses offer multiple correction values in one lens, so you can have distance and close-up values in one pair of glasses.

Progressive lenses offer multiple correction values in one lens, so you can have distance and close-up values in one pair of glasses.

Transition lenses are light sensitive or photochromic lenses that change from clear to tinted when exposed to sunlight (UV light).

Yes, Smith offers light-responsive or photochromic lenses that automatically adjust from clear to tinted when exposed to sunlight (UV light).

Smith offers fully custom progressive lenses, but we only offer traditional bifocals in a few limited styles.

We are not able to accommodate prism correction at this time. Your local vision center may be able to order Fresnel or a press-on prism lens that will work with Smith prescription glasses. Be sure to confirm any third-party add-on before ordering your Smith prescription glasses.

Yes, we offer blue-light filtering lenses. You will see an add-on option when creating your order.

Yes. Our clear lenses and tinted sunglass lenses filter out harmful UV rays.

Smith does not currently offer ANSI-certified prescription eyewear.