MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -OD (lens prescription): Abbreviation of “oculus dexter.” Latin for “right eye.” (The words “dexterity” and “dextrous” derive from “dexter” since the right hand is usually more skillful than the left.) OS stands for “oculus sinister” which is Latin for left eye.

Detailed explanation-2: -In fact, the first things you’ll notice on your prescription are abbreviations for two Latin terms in the column labeled “Rx.” Oculus dexter (O.D.) translates to “right eye, ‘’ while oculus sinister means “left eye.” Your optometrist uses these terms to note the prescription for each eye.

Detailed explanation-3: -OD means “right eye.” OD is the traditional abbreviation used for the right eye because it’s short for oculus dexter, which means “right eye” in Latin. Sometimes, doctors will just use “RE” or “right” for the right eye.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Left Hand of (Supposed) Darkness. The word sinister, suggestive of darkness or evil, comes from a Latin word meaning “on the left side.” The association of “left” with “evil” is likely because of the dominance of right-handed people within a population. It all depends which way you’re coming from.

Detailed explanation-5: -These abbreviations are short for the Latin terms oculus sinister, oculus dextrus and oculus uterque. These sound advanced, but their meanings are actually simple. Oculus sinister (OS) stands for your left eye while oculus dextrus (OD) represents your right eye.