The full form of OU in the context of eye prescriptions is Oculus Uterque.
While modern eye care professionals are increasingly moving away from using abbreviations in prescriptions to prevent misunderstandings, "OU" is a traditional abbreviation that refers to both eyes. It's important to understand this abbreviation when interpreting older prescriptions or encountering it in specific contexts.
Here's a breakdown:
- Oculus: Latin for "eye."
- Uterque: Latin for "each" or "both."
Therefore, Oculus Uterque literally translates to "each eye" or "both eyes." In contrast:
- OD: Oculus Dexter (Right Eye)
- OS: Oculus Sinister (Left Eye)
The shift away from these abbreviations is due to potential confusion. For example, "OS" could be misinterpreted as "OD," leading to incorrect prescriptions. Using the terms "right eye," "left eye," and "both eyes" offers increased clarity.
