Definitely hard for many people to see the 123 marker. My optician says she doesnt even mention it because most people will fret over not being able to see it and worry they are doing something wrong, but it is definitely there and I have seen it using a magnifying device called the Vue-2 which also functions as an applicator device. I think they are always right side out when you open the package but they are so easy to flip with a tiny bit of pressure on the center of the lens and it can happen with out your being aware you applied a bit of pressure to the lens! It has happened to me anyway.