What exactly is +.50 sph used to correct? Should it help you see far away or up close?

I went to the doctor because my distance vision has been slightly blurry.  I struggle to drive and night and watch tv,  The doctor prescribed +.50 sph in both eyes.  I tried the new glasses and I cannot see.  My vision far away is worse with the glasses on.  My dashboard looks perfect but my distance vision is terrible. They also make me feel sea sick when I try to wear them.  The TV is also blurry when I wear them.   I have had reading glasses since I was 16 and these glasses that are supposed to be for distance don't look much different than my reading glasses when I tried to read with them!  Is this a correct prescription for seeing distance?  HELP!