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What is Pupillary Distance (PD)

The Pupillary Distance (PD) is the distance (measured in mm) between the pupils of your eyes (the centres of your eyes). It is sometimes also known as the Distance PD.

An accurate (PD) measurement is required in order to make prescription glasses and is an essential part of your prescription.

For adults, the PD never changes and is, on average, 63mm for men and 60 mm for women. Most adult PD's are in the the range 55-65.

The PD may also be shown as two numbers (Dual PD) such as 31.5/32 where 31.5 is the Right PD and 32 is the Left PD – where, for example the Right PD is the distance between the centre of the pupil in the Right eye. and the centre of the bridge of the nose.

If your prescription has a single number for PD (in the range 50-70) then you can enter it directly.

The PD can be entered as a dropdown in the ADD LENSES part of the order process, or if you have 2 numbers (Dual PD) you can enter them separately, with the right eye first, followed by the left.

For Multifocal prescriptions (bifocal and Near PD measurement is required to position the centre of the lens for close-up, near vision.

On average the Near PD is 3mm less than the (Distance PD).

You can enter the Near PD for multifocal lenses if you have it, or you can use the average of the PD minus 3mm.

If your PD isn't present on your prescription then you can measure it yourself, although we recommend that we contact your optician and ask them for the PD that they measured when you had your eye exam.

Measuring your PD

An accurate (PD) measurement is required in order to make prescription glasses and is an essential part of your prescription, particularly for stronger corrective lenses.

Your PD may be included as part of your prescription, in which case you can enter it as part of our order process. You can ask your optician for your PD if they do not include it on your prescription, although there may be an additional charge for this service.

If a PD as measured by an professional optometrist is unavailable, its also possible to measure it yourself by following the steps below. You will need a light room, a mirror and a ruler with millimeter (mm) measurements.

Measuring your PD

1.  Hold a mm ruler up to the bridge of your nose in front of a mirror so you can read the markings on the ruler, or have a friend help you.

2.  Line the 0mm mark on the ruler with the middle of your right pupil

3.  Without moving the ruler, note the distance on the ruler that corresponds to the middle of your left pupil.

4.  This is your PD – eg 63mm.

5.  Repeat the process two or three times until you are confident you have an accurate reading.

6.  Make a note of your PD and enter it as part of the Order process.

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