What is Pupillary Distance?
Pupillary distance (PD) measures the space between the pupils of your eyes. Knowing this measurement is important to make sure your eyes match up with the optical center of your lenses. The average adult’s PD is between 54-74; kids' are between 43-54.
How to Measure Your PD?
- 1. Stand 8 in. away from a mirror.
- 2. Hold a ruler against your brow.
- 3. Close your right eye then align the ruler’s 0 mm with the center of your left pupil.
- 4. Look straight then close your left eye and open your right eye.
- 5. The mm line that lines up to the center of your right pupil is your PD.
Check out the graphic below for more information and to learn how your friend can help you measure your PD.
Armed with your PD and prescription, you can shop at Zenni to find your perfect pair of glasses.
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How to Measure Your Pupillary Distance
What Is Pupillary Distance?
Pupillary Distance (PD) is the measurement from the center of one pupil to the center of the other. If you are getting single vision reading glasses, use your near-vision PD, which is your distance vision PD lowered by 3 mm.
PD = 62 mm
Why Is It Important?
Every set of prescription lenses has an “optical center,” which is determined by pupillary distance. Pupillary distance is used to determine where you look through the lens of your glasses and should be as accurate as possible.
Optical Center
Measure the Distance
Your prescription may tell you your PD. But if the PD is not available, use your friend or a mirror to help you figure it out.
NECESSARY TOOLS:
Millimeter Ruler
Mirror
Download Zenni's PD ruler at: http://www.zennioptical.com/pd-ruler
MEASURING YOUR OWN PD
Stand 8 in. away from the mirror.
With your face straight, hold the ruler against your brow.
Close your right eye and align the ruler’s zero to the center of your left pupil.
While looking straight, close your left eye and open your right eye.
Read the mm line that lines up with the center of your right pupil. This number is your PD.
A Few Things to Note
- Measure your PD 3-4 times to ensure it's accurate and consistent.
- Range of Adult PD: 54-74 mm
- Range of Child PD: 43-54 mm
HAVING A FRIEND MEASURE YOUR PD
If a friend is measuring your PD, keep both eyes open and have your friend put the zero on the millimeter ruler over the center of one pupil, then measure the distance to the center of the other pupil.
TIPS WHEN A FRIEND IS MEASURING:
- Have them crouch/sit while you stand so they are out of your field of vision.
- Keep your eyes as still as possible.
- Look above his/her head at something approximately 10-20 ft. away.
- Do not look at the person measuring!
With your PD in one hand and your prescription in another, you can save time and money by handling all of your optical needs at Zenni.
Want to see a quick video of someone getting her PD measured, first by a friend then by herself? Click here.