About Eyesight Simulator

A note from the maker

I've worn glasses since middle school and gone through dozens of pairs. My prescription barely changed, but every time I got new glasses I couldn't remember my numbers, or even roughly what my prescription was. Every time I looked at the slip, I had to look it all up again.

Later, my son and his friends started wearing glasses one after another. Before he became nearsighted, my son thought it was no big deal. After, he felt the world just wasn't as bright any more.

So I built this site. First, as a useful tool: when you need it, you can understand your numbers right away, without searching, converting or wading through explanations. Second, so the people I care about can see for themselves what nearsightedness and astigmatism do to your vision.

— The maker of Eyesight Simulator

Eyesight Simulator shows what a glasses prescription means by letting you see it. You type the numbers from your slip, and the page shows a day or night street, a phone, a computer screen, an eye chart, your own photo or a camera view with simulated uncorrected blur. Photos and camera frames are processed in your browser and never uploaded.

It is made by one person who has worn glasses for years and still could not read their own prescription. Each time they needed new glasses, the numbers were forgotten and the slip was lost. So the site explains each number, shows it, and can keep your numbers on your own device for next time if you tick "Remember my prescription on this device".

The simulation uses geometric optics and published research on pupil size and visual acuity. The method, its sources and its limits are on the home page under How it works.

It is not made by an optometrist or a doctor and it is not a medical device. It does not test your eyes or diagnose anything. Ask an optometrist or ophthalmologist about your eyes.

Contact: [email protected].