About Your Pupillary Distance (P.D.)

This measurement is necessary to ensure the correct positioning of your lenses within the frame you have chosen. Have a friend* measure the distance from the center of the pupil (black dot) in one eye to the center of the pupil in the other eye. It's like measuring a line connecting the two black dots.

To measure your PD:

1. Place the millimeter ruler on the bridge of your nose.
2. Have a friend face you about arms length away.
3. Have your friend measure the distance between the center of your pupils (the black dots in the middle of your eyes).
4. (Or you can do it yourself simply by looking in the mirror).

It's simple -- like playing connect the dots!

You can also get this information from your doctor or from a licensed optician.

As a guideline:

• Most adults' PD's are between 55-65.
• Most kids' PD's are between 42-54.

Download a printable ruler here (pdf).

* NY and MA residents must have their PD measured by a doctor or licensed optician.

If you had your PD measured for you but there's more than one number:

If you have two different numbers, you have either been given both the Distance/Reading or Right Eye/Left Eye:

• If the numbers are higher (and different), like 62/59, then the first number is your Distance PD and the second is your Near PD (for reading-only glasses).
• If the two numbers are lower (and different), like 30.5/31.5, then you had someone take your PD one eye at a time (called "monocular PD"). The first number is for the right eye (O.D.) and the second number is for the left eye (O.S.). If you have a monocular PD available, put it in the "Customer notes" section of the order form and we'll use it.
• If the two numbers are the same, like 30.5/30.5, you can just add them together (61 in this example) and we'll automatically divide it equally.