Here is my ophthalmologist's prescription.
pre-skri-TSYO-ne — four syllables. 'Oculista' — o-ku-LIS-ta.
Hand over your prescription at the optician's counter. The prescription contains your sphere, cylinder, and axis values for each eye.
An Italian eye prescription contains: 'sfera' (sphere, SPH), 'cilindro' (cylinder, CYL), 'asse' (axis), 'prisma' (prism if needed), and 'addizione' (addition for reading — bifocals). 'OD' = occhio destro (right eye), 'OS' = occhio sinistro (left eye). Negative sphere = myopia ('miopia'), positive = hyperopia ('ipermetropia').
La prescrizione è di tre mesi fa. È ancora valida?
The prescription is three months old. Is it still valid?
Italian prescriptions are typically valid for 2 years for adults
La mia vista è peggiorata. Devo fare un nuovo esame.
My eyesight has gotten worse. I need a new test.
Schedule a new eye test before ordering new lenses
Questa è la mia ricetta per le lenti a contatto.
This is my contact lens prescription.
Contact lens prescriptions are separate from glasses prescriptions and include base curve and diameter
In Italy, ophthalmology ('oculistica') is divided between medical doctors ('oculisti' / 'oftalmologi') who treat eye disease and prescribe glasses, and opticians ('ottici') who grind lenses and sell frames. Optometrists ('optometristi') can do refraction and prescribe glasses in many Italian regions. The distinction is sometimes confusing for foreigners — for health concerns, always start with an 'oculista'.