Not everyone has clear vision. Many people need glasses, contact lenses, or other corrective procedures to help with their far or close up vision.
When a doctor writes a prescription to correct vision, it includes a number for each eye. Each number is broken down further into the Axis, SPH and CYL.
When you look at your prescription, the important thing to know is the bigger the number, the stronger the prescription, and the worse your eyesight.
A 1.25 eye prescription refers to the power of the lens used to correct the problem. It can have a plus sign or minus sign preceding it depending on the needed vision correction.
However, the plus or minus does not indicate good vision versus bad vision. (+) means you're farsighted. (-) means you're nearsighted.
It’s the actual number, as opposed to the plus or minus, indicating the degree of vision correction needed.
Eye doctors use diopters to measure prism power or focal length in the right eye (oculus dexter) and left eye (oculus sinister).
They then use that measurement to determine lens power and provide an eyeglass prescription.
Additionally, prescriptions include prism measurements, which are abbreviated for base up, base down, base in, or base out.
Is 1.25 Eye Prescription Bad?
1.25 power lens correction is relatively mild. When it comes to corrective vision wear, the further from zero the number, the worse a person’s sight.
For many, 1.25 would not warrant prescription eyewear. Many people with 1.25 vision might choose to wear only over-the-counter “reader” glasses to improve their vision.
In cases where a person receives a diagnosis of 2.25 or 3.00 or higher number, prescription glasses are needed to correct the problem.
Summary
A 1.25 eye prescription is not bad. It is considered relatively mild and some people won't need prescription eyewear for it.
“Bad” eyesight means someone is unable to see clearly without their glasses.
There are degrees of this, and typically from -3.00 to +2.00 are considered bad prescriptions.
Problems with vision occur when the functional parts of someone’s eyes – the cornea and the lens – cannot focus light on the retina's distant objects. This is called a refractive error.
There are several different kinds of refractive errors, including:
Astigmatism occurs when the eye's cornea is misshapen
Nearsightedness or myopia occurs when eye optics are too powerful
Farsightedness or hyperopia occurs when the eye optics are not powerful enough
Presbyopia occurs with declining lens flexibility due to age
Long-Term Risks of Bad Eyesight
Eye health issues are important at any age, but most people experience a decline in vision as they grow older.
Over time, visual acuity declines. This is why we must make eye care and visits to the eye doctor or optician a priority throughout our lives, even with healthy vision.
It’s tempting when your vision isn’t bothersome to skip annual eye exams. This can be a mistake. In many cases, the sooner macular degeneration and other eye health issues are detected, the more effective the treatment.
Some of the most common age-related, long-term risks include:
Presbyopia
Declining lens flexibility (eyes struggle to focus when switching from looking at objects near and far)
Floaters
Small specks or spots that appear in someone’s field of vision when there is nothing there. They usually aren’t serious but can be a symptom of retinal detachment when paired with flashes of light
Tearing
Eye sensitivity increases with age, and many people experience eye watering or tearing when exposed to wind, light, or temperature changes. It can also be a symptom of an infection or a blocked tear duct
Dryness
Older tear glands don’t lubricate as well as they do when we’re younger. Keeping eyes moist as we age prevents itching, burning, and potential loss of vision
More serious eye health issues that develop as you age include:
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Retinal disorders
Corneal diseases
Eyelid problems
Temporal arteritis
Summary
A person with "bad" eyesight couldn't clearly see without glasses. This is usually caused by refractive errors. An annual eye exam is recommended to ensure healthy vision and avoid the long-term risks of bad eyesight.
Treatment for 1.25 Eye Prescription
Treatment is available for correcting a 1.25 eye prescription. The proper treatment varies from person to person, depending on their specific situation.
Some of the most common treatments for correcting vision problems include:
Over-the-counter magnifying glasses
These are non-prescription glasses available in strengths ranging from +.25 to +6.00. They magnify what someone is looking at, improving their up-close vision. Many people call these reading glasses and wear them as they age.
Prescription glasses or contacts
Not everyone opts for prescription eyeglasses with 1.25 vision, but it’s an option. Some people with mild vision problems choose prescription lenses because bifocals are an option and make switching from looking at things close up and far away easier.
Progressive lenses or multifocal lenses
These are glasses that offer a smooth transition between different focal lengths. They are worn by people in need of vision correction at all distances.
LASIK
A corrective laser surgery for the eyes. LASIK has the ability to correct vision problems up to +6.00 diopters of hyperopia, astigmatism up to 6 diopters, and nearsightedness up to -12.00 diopters.
PRK
Short for photorefractive keratectomy, PRK is refractive surgery. Like LASIK, it uses a laser to treat vision problems. It’s especially beneficial for people with dry eyes or thin corneas.
Speak to your optometrist for additional information about correcting or improving imperfect vision.
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Melody Huang is an optometrist and freelance health writer. Through her writing, Dr. Huang enjoys educating patients on how to lead healthier and happier lives. She also has an interest in Eastern medicine practices and learning about integrative medicine. When she’s not working, Dr. Huang loves reviewing new skin care products, trying interesting food recipes, or hanging with her adopted cats.
Kelly Brown is a content writer for Vision Center. Her goal is to share important information so people can make the best decisions about their vision health. From choosing the best eye doctor to managing health issues that affect vision, she hopes to share what she learns through informative content.
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