Pupillary Distance is required to ensure
the correct location of the optical center of your lenses. If
you are unable to accomplish this yourself, have someone help
you. Have someone measure the distance from the center of one
pupil (black center of the pupil inside the colored part) in
one eye to the center of the pupil in the other eye.
Here is an easy way to accurately measure your PD
(its simple):
- Place the millimeter ruler across
your nose at eye level.
- Have someone face you at an arms
length.
- Have them measure the distance
between the centers of your pupils (the black dots in the
middle of your eyes).
- (Or you can do it yourself simply by looking in the mirror).
Also, you can also get this information from your doctor or from any
optician.
As a guideline:
- Most adults' PD's are between
55-65.
- Most kids' PD's are between 42-54.
Download
a printable ruler here (pdf).
Oftentimes when you have your PD measured for you there’s more than one
number:
If you have two different numbers, you have either been given both the
Distance/Reading or Right Eye/Left Eye:
- If the numbers are higher (and
different), like 61/58, then the first number is your
Distance PD and the second is your Near PD (for reading-only
glasses).
- If the two numbers are lower (and different), like 31.5/32.5, then you
had someone take your PD one eye at a time (called "monocular PD"). The
first number is for the right eye (O.D.) and the second number is for the
left eye (O.S.). You can just add them together when entering the
information (64 in this example)