How Important is PD measurement?

Tips And Tricks

You may or may not have come across your PD measurement on your eye exam results. In fact, it's not always included as a standard part of the clinical procedure, and it's sometimes referred to as "the optician's job."


What is PD for vision?

PD stands for "pupillary distance," which simply refers to the distance between the pupils of your left and right eyes. Achieving precise vision requires aligning the optical centers of your lenses with the centers of your pupils. If your PD is incorrect, it can have negative effects, particularly when it comes to lens power. For mild lens power, our eyes can often tolerate minor PD errors. However, when the lens power is strong, even a 2mm deviation in PD can lead to blurred vision and discomfort. This happens because your pupils have to either converge or diverge to stay aligned with the centers of your lenses.

PD measurement


Now, How do you get the correct value for PD measurements?

Some eye doctors may be able to provide the PD measurement upon request. It's worth checking with them if they offer this service.

PD measurement

You can visit a local optician's store to get your PD measured.

If you prefer to do it yourself at home, you can download and print out a PD ruler on a standard A4 paper. Follow the steps provided in the guideline found here. It's highly recommended to repeat the measurement process several times to ensure consistent and accurate results.

PD measured

Ensuring the correct PD measurement is crucial for achieving optimal vision and comfort. By taking the necessary steps to obtain your PD, you'll be on your way to enjoying clear and comfortable vision with your eyewear.


More information:

How to Measure Your Pupillary Distance(PD)?