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Oculus Uterque (OU) is defined as the Latin medical shorthand for "both eyes." It is used by eye care professionals when a finding; treatment; or prescription value applies equally to the left and right eyes. Common uses include:
When a patient has the exact same refractive error in both eyes; the doctor may simply write the power once and follow it with "OU." This tells the optician that two identical lenses are needed. It is a more efficient way to communicate; provided the measurements for the right and left eyes are truly identical in every parameter.
If you are treating a condition like dry eye or allergies; your doctor will often write "1 drop OU twice daily." This is much clearer than writing separate instructions for the right and left eyes. It ensures the patient understands that the medication must be used in both eyes to achieve the full therapeutic effect.
Yes; during an eye exam; the doctor may use OU to describe the overall visual acuity. For example; "20/20 OU" means that when using both eyes together; the patient can see the standard 20/20 line. This "binocular" vision is often slightly better than the vision in either eye individually due to the brain's ability to combine the images.
In general medicine; "B/L" stands for bilateral. However; in the specialized field of ophthalmology; "OU" is the preferred and more traditional term. Both mean "both sides;" but OU is the specific standard used on prescriptions for glasses; contacts; and ocular medications to ensure professional clarity.
Not necessarily. OU simply means "both eyes." You could have "20/20 OU" (perfect vision in both) or "Cataracts OU" (cataracts in both). It is a descriptor of the location; not a descriptor of the quality or health of the vision itself.
If your prescription only lists OD and OS; it means your eyes have different requirements. Most people do not have perfectly identical eyes; so they will have separate lines for the right and left. OU is only used when the doctor wants to emphasize that the instruction applies to both.
Usually; no. If any part of the prescription (like the Axis or Cylinder) is different; the doctor cannot use OU. They must list the eyes separately to ensure the optician knows exactly which measurement goes with which eye to prevent visual distortion or discomfort.