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Neurological conditions (brain- or nerve-related problems) also can cause double vision that may be treatable with prism lenses. These conditions include:

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When a prism is part of your prescription and worked into your lenses, your glasses will look like any other prescription eyeglasses. The only difference is that prism lenses are sometimes noticeably thicker than standard lenses. A Fresnel prism, on the other hand—the temporary option applied directly to a lens—may be noticeable.

Prism glasses are prescription eyeglasses with special lenses for correcting double vision (also known as diplopia). In some cases, prism glasses may also be prescribed to help with eye strain (depending on the cause).

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Double vision happens when a person’s eyes aren’t working together the way they should. Instead of seeing a single image, they see two separate images because the light is hitting each eye’s retina in a different spot. Prism eyeglasses correct for this to create a single, clear image.

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Prism glasses work by redirecting light before it enters the eye so that it hits the retina at the correct focal point. The prism is shaped like a three-dimensional triangle with a base that’s thicker than the top. The prescription determines the orientation of the prism in the glasses lens (base up, base down, base in, or base out). The prism’s orientation affects how the lens directs light onto the retina.

We’ve put together this handy guide to walk through everything you might want to know about prism glasses—from how they work and who they help to what prism correction looks like on a prescription (and everything in between).

A prism correction may be used for one or both eyes. When prism correction is needed as a long-term solution, it can be incorporated into the lens(es) of a person’s glasses.

We happen to know a few. Whether you already have a prescription or need a new one, our friendly optometrists are here to help.

If your eye prescription includes a prism correction, you will notice numbers in a column labeled “prism.” These numbers indicate the prism diopters—the measurement of the prism’s power or strength. You might see “PD” by these numbers, which stands for “prism diopters.”

If it’s your first time getting prism glasses, your eye doctor can answer any questions you may have about your prescription and the thickness of your lenses. If lens thickness is a concern,  you might consider choosing thicker frames for your glasses. Of course, if lens thickness doesn’t bother you, there’s no need at all to limit your frame choices—you can wear any frames you want with a prism glasses prescription.

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Standard prescription lenses correct for visual clarity—vision errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism (also called refractive errors). Prism lenses, on the other hand, correct for eye alignment or movement issues, not refractive errors. Sometimes when eyes aren’t aligning correctly, they can’t work together properly to create a single image. And that’s where prism glasses come in.

If you have questions about your own prescription, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your eye doctor. You may also find answers to lingering questions in our FAQs below.

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Yes! You can have a prism correction with progressives. A prism correction can be worked into any type of lens, whether it’s a single-vision, bifocal, or progressive lens.

Many eye conditions or health issues can cause double vision, and not all of them can be corrected with prism glasses. With that said, some conditions that may benefit from prism correction include:

You may also see abbreviations listed in a column labeled “base.” These letters correspond to the orientation of the prism’s thickest edge—its base. Here’s what these abbreviations mean:

Sometimes a prism correction is needed only temporarily. In these cases, a Fresnel prism can serve as an alternative to prism glasses. Fresnel prisms are like thin stickers that can be applied directly to the surface of the lenses of standard glasses.

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Each pair includes prescription lenses with scratch-resistant, anti-reflective, and superhydrophobic treatments—and they block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.

Whether your prescription has a prism correction or not, it usually takes some time to adjust to wearing new glasses. Any new prescription may cause mild symptoms like eye strain or slight visual distortions. But if your prism glasses are causing significant side effects, like nausea, eye pain, or headaches, be sure to let your eye doctor know. This could indicate the prescription needs to be adjusted.

In truth, the cost of prism glasses can vary widely. It depends on the complexity of the prescription, including whether other vision issues are being corrected. Other factors like the frames and lens options you choose and whether you’re using insurance may impact the overall cost of your prism glasses as well.