With around two-thirds of Americans wearing corrective eye gear like glasses or contact lenses, you may also need to take steps to improve your vision. To do this, you should get your eyes tested by a professional. Part of this test may include measuring your pupillary distance.
As the name suggests, this refers to the distance between pupils, but there's more to it than that. In this post, we share some details about pupillary distance, why it's important and how to measure it.
What Is Pupillary Distance?
The horizontal distance between the middle of your pupils is known as your pupillary distance, also referred to as interpupillary distance or PD. Your pupils are the two black dots in the center of your eyes. They can narrow and widen to focus on close items or let in more light. Because they affect how much light enters your eyes, they play a critical role in helping your eyes adjust to seeing in dark or bright environments.
Optometrists and other eye experts use this distance while creating prescription lenses to ensure the lens is centered correctly according to your eyes. While you can measure the distance between pupils by yourself, it's better done during a professional eye examination, especially since eye exams do more than test your vision. They also measure critical metrics like pupillary distance and can help diagnose eye conditions.
Single vs. Dual Pupillary Distance
There are two types of PD measurement:
- Single: This type of pupillary distance is often called binocular distance, as it measures the entire space spanning from one pupil to the other. It's the most common form of PD measurement, as it only measures one distance.
- Dual: Dual PD takes two measurements. It measures the distance from your left eye to the bridge of your nose and does the same for your right.
Because your pupils change to help you focus on close objects, you get two types of pupillary distance, namely near and far. Your near PD measures how close together your pupils are when you focus on a nearby object, whereas the far distance examines how far apart your pupils are when you look at something further away. The near distance is often shorter than the far one. Your optometrist will likely check both distances unless you only require glasses for close objects, such as reading glasses.
People are spending more and more time looking at close objects like laptops and phone screens, suggesting an increased demand for reading glasses that assist with this. Remember that even if you have reading glasses to make staring at a screen easier on your eyes, you should still take regular breaks. When looking at screens, we often blink less than we should, so step away a few times an hour to rest your eyes.
How to Read Pupillary Distance
Not having access to proper eyewear can make it challenging to work and study, as millions of people who lack eyeglasses struggle to perform everyday tasks.
However, having access to eye examinations and prescription glasses only works if you have the right glasses. Measuring your pupillary distance is important to ensure that your selected glasses work for you.
If you're wondering how to measure PD, you can do it with a ruler and a mirror. While you can measure your PD yourself, it's not advisable since you may get inaccurate measurements.
If you require glasses, you will likely need to see an expert for an eye examination anyway, so you might as well ask them to measure your pupillary distance for you. Adults over the age of 18 should have a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years, offering you the perfect chance to have your pupillary distance measured.
If you need to measure your own PD so you can order glasses online, Eyemart Express offers an online PD measurement tool. This tool provides an accurate measurement from the comfort of your own home or office, allowing you to get the best glasses fit.
Why Is Pupillary Distance Important?
To understand the importance of pupillary distance, you first need to understand the different parts of eyeglasses:
- Frames: Frames are outside the lenses. They allow the most creative freedom since you can get frames in various styles and colors.
- Lenses: The lenses are arguably the most essential part of your glasses, as they enable you to see. Lenses come in different shapes and thicknesses, and they help the light hit your eye correctly so that you can see better.
- Arms: Arms or temples go over your ears and allow the glasses to stay on your face. As with the other parts, they come in multiple shapes, allowing you to pick the most comfortable and practical style for you.
- Additional features: The rims, bridge and nose pads are all parts of the frame that help it stay in shape and on your face. The rims are the part directly around the lenses, the bridge spans your nose and acts as weight support, and nose pads help keep the glasses from slipping off your face.
Pupillary distance relates to your lenses. Because lenses affect how light hits your eye, your optometrist will need to consider your PD. Accurate metrics help ensure that your lenses are comfortable and your vision is clear. If lenses are made according to the wrong pupillary measurement, they can lead to headaches, eyestrain and blurry vision.
Get Your Pupillary Distance Measured With Eyemart Express
At Eyemart Express, we care about you and your eyes. Whether you want to get your pupillary distance measured or undergo a comprehensive eye exam, we're here to assist. Our in-store personnel will prioritize your personal care and ensure you get the help and service you need. We have experts to aid you in finding fashionable glasses that fit your style and life.
Our support extends beyond your visit to our store. Whether you need help or advice, we're there to ensure you can spend more time doing what you love with the people you love rather than worrying about your eyesight. We'll educate you about proper eyecare, and our efficient service means you don't need to waste a lot of time before you can see the world more clearly.
Want to order from our online store? Use our online PD measurement tool to find glasses with the perfect fit for your eyes. Our online glasses inventory is easy to shop and filled with styles for every face shape and personal preference.
To find your ideal pair of glasses or schedule a PD measurement, check out our locations to find a spot near you. Then, you can shop our range online or in store to get your new glasses in a blink.
