Is this prescription really different?

Question

I have a prescription from both the Army and my civilian doctor. The sphere/cylinder values are the same bute one is saying the axis for my left eye is "003" whatever that means, I'm assuming "3".

The other says x180 at the end of the Rx, which I assume is the axis. If it is, would the two be dramatically different? Let's assume I can't get an eye exam anytime soon.

Answer 1

They are almost identical. The prescription is rotated 3 degrees from one to the other (180 is equivalent to 0). Unless you have a large cyl measurement the difference would not be noticeable.

Answer 2

Axis is measured as degrees around a circle, but only from 0 to 180 not from 0 to 360.  So 3 is very close to 180 and most people would not notice the difference.

Answer 3

vall an pharmacy  they can tell ya