What is the total near power for the prescription +2.00 -1.00 X 100 when the near addition is +2.50?

• A. +2.00 -1.00 X 100
• B. +3.50 -1.00 X 100
• C. +4.50 -1.00 X 100
• D. +5.00 -1.00 X 100

Answer: (C)

Near addition is a spherical power added to the whole lens to improve reading. It increases the power in all meridians by the same amount, so the cylinder component stays the same and only the sphere changes. Here, the distance prescription has a sphere of +2.00 and a cylinder of -1.00 at 100. Adding +2.50 for near raises the spherical power to +4.50, while the cylinder remains -1.00 and the axis stays 100. Therefore the near prescription is +4.50 -1.00 X 100.