PUPILLARY DISTANCE

Find your PD with confidence.

Pupillary distance helps place the optical center of each lens in front of your eyes. If it is not listed on your prescription, you can ask your optician or take a careful measurement at home.

See the steps
Person measuring pupillary distance with a ruler while wearing optical glasses

WHAT PD MEANS

The distance between the centers of your pupils.

PD is recorded in millimeters. It helps position the optical center of your lenses in line with your eyes, which is why a precise number matters for prescription eyewear.

  1. 1

    Check your prescription first

    Your PD may already be listed. Use the value exactly as written if it is current and clear.

  2. 2

    Set up steadily

    Stand in front of a mirror, or ask someone you trust to help. Keep the ruler horizontal and look straight ahead.

  3. 3

    Measure center to center

    Align zero with the center of one pupil, then note the distance to the center of the other pupil.

  4. 4

    Repeat and compare

    Take the measurement more than once. If the results do not agree, ask an optician for help instead of estimating.

A SMALL NUMBER, A REAL DIFFERENCE

Accuracy is worth the extra minute.

PD can appear as one binocular measurement or as separate right and left values. Follow the format your prescription or ordering flow requests, and enter every number carefully.

Understand your prescription

NEXT STEP

Choose a frame, then add your prescription with care.

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