Understanding ADD Power on a Bifocal Prescription

ADD power is one of the most important values on a bifocal prescription because it represents the additional optical power used for near vision. It is added to the distance prescription to create the reading portion of the lens.

The ADD value should come from a professional eye examination. It is not a number that should be guessed based on age, reading habits or a previous pair of glasses. Right and left eyes may also require different distance corrections even when the near addition is similar.

Why ADD Matters

Without the correct near addition, the reading area may not provide the expected clarity. An accurate prescription helps the lens provider create the correct distance and near zones.

If you are ordering bifocals online, enter the ADD exactly as written and double-check all other prescription values. If anything is unclear, ask your eye-care professional before ordering.

For a traditional bifocal option, explore Wearluxurys bifocal standard lenses. Use current prescription information for the best fit.