What Does H F Mean on Contact Lenses?

The American Optometric Association notes that more than 30 million people wear contacts. Lenses are available in soft and rigid material. Each kind of lens and prescription has unique markings, identifications, symbols and letters associated with the contact lenses.

Significance

• Eye doctors use the letters "H" and "F" with contact lenses to identify specific aspects of the prescription. F is an abbreviation for the power of the back of the lens, and H represents a calculation for distance. The information is needed in some cases for custom-made contact lenses.

Identification

• The letters H and F may be written with contact lens information if the contact lens exam was done at one of the Henry Ford medical offices in Michigan. There are many locations throughout the state, and the letters HF are commonly associated with the optical dispensary division.

Considerations

• In Minnesota, the contact law H.F. 2603, which is similar to the 2004 Federal Trade Commission 's Contact Lens Rule, notes that patients are entitled to a copy of their contact lens prescription once a contact lens examination is completed. The letters and numbers HF and 2603 may appear on a contact lens prescription in Minnesota.