If you want to order your glasses from us then you will need to know your Pupillary Distance (PD). Some optometrists will include this measurement on your prescription, but many will not. If they don’t, feel free to ask, it is your information.
It might not be exciting, but knowing your pupillary distance is essential to ensuring that your glasses will fit you perfectly. The good news is that you can measure and check your pupillary distance yourself, from the comfort of your own home. And don’t worry: it’s not as complicated as it sounds!
What is Pupillary Distance (PD)?
Pupillary distance (PD) measures the space between the pupils of your eyes. This is important because it is the only way to ensure that your eyes match up with the optical centre of your glasses lenses. Pupillary distance is measured in millimetres and, for adults, the average measurement is between 54-74. For children, the average measurement is between 43-54 mm.
Ensuring your pupillary distance is recorded as accurately as possible is the best way to be sure your glasses will feel comfortable. This measurement becomes even more essential if you have a high-strength prescription or require varifocal lenses.
Your Step by Step Guide to Measuring Your Pupillary Distance
Now that you understand what your pupillary distance is, and why it’s so important, it’s time to learn how to measure it correctly. This is a quick and easy process that will take no time at all. Just follow our six simple steps:
- Stand approximately 8 inches away from a mirror, armed with a fixed ruler in your hand
- Hold the ruler against your brow line, ensuring that it is perfectly straight and lies from brow to brow.
- Stare straight ahead at your reflection in the mirror and with your left eye closed, line the start of the ruler (the 0mm mark) with the very centre of your right pupil.
- Looking straight ahead and holding your head perfectly still, close your right eye and open your left eye.
- The mm line that matches up with the centre of your left pupil will give you your pupillary distance.
- Write the measurement down and you’re finished! The whole process will take less than 2 minutes and will leave you with the PD you need to ensure that your glasses fit you perfectly.
Is My Pupillary Distance on My Prescription?
Not sure if your optometrist has included your pupillary distance (PD) on your prescription or not? We understand that reading a prescription can sometimes feel like reading hieroglyphics, but this should be fairly easy to spot!
If your optometrist has included the measurement on your script then it will be at the bottom of your prescription, below the OD and OS measurements, under a PD heading. If this is already included on your prescription, then there’s no need to follow the instructions above. Simply forward this measurement to us, and you’re ready to pick out your beautiful new frames!
