Looking over your eye test results, all those weird numbers and abbreviations can seem like a foreign language or secret code.

But once you get an understanding of what each of these terms mean, it can help you understand what’s actually going on with your precious peepers.

If you’ve come across the term "PL” on your eye test report, this post explains what this abbreviation means and how it relates to your other prescription details.

 

What does PL mean on an eye prescription?

The abbreviation "PL" stands for Plano, which means zero correction is needed for the spherical (SPH) aspect of your vision. If you see PL listed on your prescription, it indicates that no lens power is required to correct your distance vision in that eye. Essentially, it signifies that your vision is at a neutral level in terms of spherical (SPH) correction.

The term Plano stems from the Latin word “planus” for ‘flat’ or ‘level’. In the context of your glasses, a planoconvex lens refers to a lens which is flat and provides neither positive (+) or negative (-) dioptric power.

It’s worth noting that there are other symbols or values which can be used to denote Plano SPH powers. These may include;

• A handwritten dash ( / ) to suggest ‘nothing’.
• An infinity (∞ ) symbol
• Or 0.00

 

PL in relation to other prescription values

To put "PL" into context, it helps to have a basic understanding of some of the other abbreviations commonly seen on eye prescriptions:

• SPH (Spherical): The dioptric correction needed for short-sightedness (myopia) or long-sightedness (hyperopia).
• CYL (Cylinder): The dioptric correction needed for astigmatism, which is caused by an irregular curvature of the cornea.
• AXIS: The orientation of astigmatism correction, measured in degrees.
• ADD: (Addition) The additional dioptric power used to correct near-vision in multifocal lenses such as bifocal, trifocal or varifocal lenses.
• PRISM: The dioptric power used to correct strabismus, the misalignment of the eyes.

"PL" will usually only appear in the SPH column, showing that no spherical correction is necessary for that particular eye.

“PL” isn’t typically used for your CYL value. If you don’t have astigmatism, your CYL and related AXIS values will usually just be left empty. The same applies for your ADD and PRISM values.

 

Do I need glasses if my prescription says PL?

If you know you need glasses, you might wonder why "PL" shows up on your prescription. It’s quite common to have "PL" for one or both of your eyes, but still require correction for astigmatism.

For example, you might have perfect distance vision in terms of spherical correction, but still require lenses for astigmatism. In this case, your prescription would show "PL" in your SPH box and a CYL value accompanied by an AXIS, indicating that corrective lenses are necessary to correct the uneven shape of your cornea.

 

How PL affects your choice of glasses or lenses

When "PL" is present on your prescription, it usually means that the lenses you need will be relatively straightforward. With no spherical correction, you likely won’t require thinned lenses unless you have a strong CYL value.

If you do have a plano SPH, but a strong astigmatism (above +/- 2.00), your lenses may require thinning to reduce their weight and bulkiness. You may benefit from having thicker glasses to accommodate this such as a full rim acetate frame.

One of the benefits of having "PL" on your prescription is that the lenses will likely be thinner and lighter, as there’s no spherical correction to account for. This can give you more flexibility when it comes to choosing frames, as you won’t need to worry about thick or heavy lenses.

 

Plano lens FAQs

Can I have PL in both eyes and still need glasses?
Yes, if you have PL in both eyes, but have astigmatism, presbyopia or diplopia, you will still need glasses.

Astigmatism is corrected via CYL and AXIS to compensate for refractive errors caused by an uneven cornea.

Presbyopia is corrected via ADD (addition) to compensate for the weakening ciliary muscles in your eyes. This condition is prevalent in people over the age of 40 where the eye struggles to fully contract, thus hindering near vision (within 30cm).

Diplopia is corrected via PRISM to compensate for weakness or imbalance in the eye muscles causing overlapping or double vision. This condition is similar to strabismus (misaligned eyes).

 

Does PL mean I have perfect vision?
Not necessarily. While "PL" means no correction is needed for spherical vision, you may still need glasses for astigmatism (CYL & AXIS) or near-vision (ADD), depending on your prescription.

 

How does PL affect my choice of glasses frame?
Since "PL" indicates no spherical correction, your lenses will likely be thinner, allowing for more flexibility in choosing frame styles. However, if you have astigmatism or other corrections, your lens thickness may still vary.

 

Conclusion

In summary, "PL" on your eye prescription means that no spherical correction is required, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t need glasses. It's important to understand the full range of details on your prescription, especially if you have astigmatism or another vision issue that requires corrective lenses.

If you’d like to learn more about what your prescription means, please check out our other eyecare blog posts.

Hopefully, you found this article helpful.

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