Pupillary Distance (PD) and how to measure it

Your Pupillary Distance (also know as Inter Pupillary Distance and PD) is the distance between the centres of your pupils usually measured in millimetres.

It may be expressed as a single number e.g. 64mm or as a monocular PD, e.g. R32mm/L32mm where the measurement is given separately from the centre line for each eye.

The normal range for the PD in the adult population is 54mm – 68mm.

Your PD measurement is required to make your glasses and is used to align the centre of focus of the lenses in your frame with the centres of your pupils. This will provide optimum correction of your eyesight and give best visual comfort. An accurate PD is particularly important for stronger prescriptions.

Your pupil distance is always taken during an eye test however your optometrist is not obliged to provide you this as part of your prescription. Good optometrists will provide your PD on request but don’t be surprised if they refuse.

If your PD measurement has been omitted from your prescription you can have a friend or partner measure it for you or you can measure it yourself using a mirror. Use the illustration below as a guide.

When measuring your PD for distance glasses focus on an object in the distance. When measuring your PD for reading glasses focus on an object at arms length.

At Metsuki we think your Optician should be legally obliged to provide your PD when you get your eyes tested so that you have complete freedom of choice about where to buy your glasses, including buying them on the internet.

If you share this opinion why don't you sign our epetition by clicing this link "Give My My PD"now. It will only take a minute.