THE CLEAR VISION GUIDE

Right eye, left eye, both eyes (OD / OS / OU) explained

Common abbreviations: OD is the right eye, OS the left, and OU both eyes.

Reading a prescription

How to understand it

Right and left are from the wearer’s perspective. Forms may instead use R/L or RE/LE.

An example

When facing someone across a desk, their right eye is on your left. Copy the record labels rather than your view of their face.

A common mix-up

Do not swap rows because of a mirrored selfie or the order in a shopping form.

See the idea in a full guide →

Sources & verification

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Related terms

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