When buying new prescription glasses online, you will need to know your Pupillary Distance (PD) measurement. You might be wondering how to measure your PD, if your prescription doesn’t include it.
Eyebuydirect has put this video together to show you how to measure your PD at home with a mirror, and with the help of another person.
Timestamps:
– What is Pupillary Distance (PD): 0:15
– How is PD shown on a prescription? 0:28
– How to measure your PD with a friend: 0:53
– How to measure your PD yourself: 1:25
– Additional steps for near distance: 1:47
For more guides & tips on everything glasses, prescriptions, styles and more, visit our blog!
BLOG:
https://www.eyebuydirect.com/guides/how-to-measure-your-pd
There are 2 types of PD Measurement—one for Distance and one for Reading.
We cover both types of PD using our printable downloadable PD ruler.
Make sure to print our downloadable PD ruler here:
https://www.eyebuydirect.com/downloads/measure-your-pd-with-ruler.pdf
Here are the steps you should follow:
How to measure a friend’s distance PD:
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1. Sit opposite your friend at arm’s distance apart.
2. Fold the PD ruler to the “using a friend” side.
2. Place the PD ruler and align the zero with your friend’s right eye.
3. Close your left eye and look directly into your friend’s right eye. Your friend should look into your open eye.
4. Note the measurement directly over your friend’s left pupil in millimeters.
How to measure a friend’s reading PD:
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1. Sit opposite your friend at arm’s distance apart.
2. Place our downloadable PD ruler on the bridge of your friend’s nose.
3. Your friend should hold a pen around 30cm (8in) in front of their face and focus on it with both eyes.
4. Note the measurement from the center of the right eye to the center of your friend’s left pupil in millimeters.
We don’t recommend using a mirror to measure your PD by yourself, as it is not the most accurate, but here are the steps in case it is the easiest method for you.
How to measure your PD at home using a mirror:
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1. Fold the PD ruler to the “using a mirror” side.
2. stand about 8 in (30cm) away from the mirror.
3. hold the PD ruler above your eyes with the zero directly above your right eye.
4. Close your right eye and read the number directly over the center of your left pupil. That will be your PD.
Any remaining questions? Ask us in the comments section below!
Additional helpful videos:
– Lens Thickness and Index: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ93usDhqvs
– How to Buy Glasses Online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dztngdcVzs
– Glasses for your Face Shape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUjQzHnWjL0
– How to Read an Eyeglass Prescription: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34kh8IFpt0Q
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#pupillarydistance #eyeglasses
Does your virtual try on tool account for PD and face dimensions?
Yo who is the friend actress tho
this doesn't make sense when using the mirror. I can't center the zero over my left pupil because the zero is on the right side when I hold it up in the mirror. And I know I'm holding it right cuz I can read numbers and the eyebuydirect logo. lol
OMG I want this lady to help me with everything in life! So sweet and nice, I bet she don't judge people for not knowing how to do stuff.
Those methods are not accurate. Best is to punch pinholes in cards. Make cards with two holes with varying distances between say 60 and 70mm in a 1 mm step (11 cards). Try looking through the pinholes with both eyes using each card (like looking through binoculars). You should see two circles that will superimpose exactly when you use the card with the correct PD. For the far away PD, look through the pinholes to an object located on the horizon. For reading PD, look at a reading distance. PD for reading should be about 3mm shorter then the far distance PD.
Another method I thought of, use real good quality binoculars. Look through at a distant object, focus and adjust the distance between the L and R side that offer the best image (we do that naturally when using binoculars). Put down the binoculars and measure the distance between the center of the two eyepieces. That will be your distant PD.
WOW very helpful and simple and beautiful. Thank you
I'm very confused– when I print out the ruler, the zero centers over my right eye. I am using the "for use in mirror" side. Doesn't make any sense– there is no way to center the zero over the left eye
I've been wearing glasses for years and PD has never been included on any of my prescriptions. Information like this is withheld & the industry ensures that clients are never educated on these simple but very important matters on their own eye health which could be critical in the long run crippling clients' independence. Money and manipulation is a heck of a thing; how sad these businesses are. Oh Sigh
Who owns a printer? lol
What glasses is she wearing?
"use THIS and a friend"
"using a friend"
"use a friend"
"have your friend"
I just loooooove this self estime tone in this typical american ultra individualist way of thinking !!!
hey ! your '" friends " are not some objects you can use, they are alive ! so they need a bit of consideration : you can just ASK them to help you…and not USE them like not living objects…
by the way, thanks for your help !
I’m confused. My print out ruler makes it so I have to center the zero over my right eye, not my left eye? I’m assuming that’s okay? However it would be helpful if the information from the video matched the print out.
I went to the opticians and asked them if they could measure my PD, they refused because they new I wanted to purchase my prescription glasses online for less than half the price they we're going to charge me, with the frame and lenses, they we're charging me £550 went online and got it for £220 don't get ripped off on the high street, daylight robbery!!!!
According to the paper printout, my PD is 68. I really hope my EBD glasses aren’t too big, especially knowing the average is ~63.
What do I do if my number prescribed has a .5 ? Do I round up or down , mine was prescribed at 67.5
How do I calculate for monocular pd as I need progressive lens
What was your favorite course when studying?
Very helpful post, you have been allowed to go elsewhere for over 25 years to buy your specs (I am sure that is why they are so cagey about it). I just, politely, asked when they measured mine at last prescription I had to ask her three times. No idea why they all try to hide this still after all this time. You can also by the measure/rule on amazon. Ridiculous. So many other places you can get your specs rather than where you are having your test. A lot of the ads lead you to believe a certain price but once you add all the other things, thinnng, antiglare it is not the price as advertised and people get caught out. Always look for a deal on the thing you need – varifocals, transition etc
This is super helpful! This is the first time I have seen a video that explains that your reading PD is different from your distance PD. I wish I had know that a few years ago. I have probably blamed online retailers for my prescription not being quite right. And I too have never seen a PD on a prescription. Now it makes sense why my distance glasses are never quite right,