You need the pupillary distance if you want to get new glasses. GIGA tells you what’s behind it and how you can easily measure your PD value.
If you already have glasses, you will usually find the pupillary distance as a value in your glasses passport or the respective documents that you received from the optician. When buying glasses In the shop, the optician measures the distance between the pupils together with the eyesight and the other necessary values for your glasses. If you yours buy glasses online and the corresponding data is not yet stored in the respective customer account, for example, you have to measure the pupillary distance and then enter it in the values for the glasses. We will explain to you how you can easily determine your pupillary distance from home.
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What is interpupillary distance and what is it used for?
The pupillary distance is an important one in addition to the visual acuity and other values Reading for glasses. The pupillary distance (PD) describes the Distance between the pupil and the middle of the nose or between the two pupils and thus the interpupillary distance. With that she gives the optical center of the lenses on. The PD value is measured in millimeters and can be specified as a total or for both eyes individually. That depends, for example, on whether the distance between the two eyes differs and how the values are queried from the relevant optician or glasses retailer. The pupillary distance is important when making new glasses so that they fit perfectly. If the PD value of the glasses does not match your eyes, this can lead to blurred vision and dizziness or headaches when wearing the glasses.
How do you measure pupillary distance?
Measuring PD yourself isn’t difficult, but it does require a bit of accuracy and finesse, and possibly the help of a second person. There are different ways to measure the pupillary distance:
Measure pupillary distance using software
Many online eyewear providers – Mister Spex is one of the best known – offer the option of automatically measuring the pupillary distance directly online using camera recognition in the Online tool or via app to eat. With this variant, however, you should carry out the measurement several times if necessary in order to avoid inaccuracies and to determine the correct value.
Measure the pupillary distance with a template
There are corresponding templates or stencils that make it easier for you to measure the pupillary distance and read the correct value. At Robin Look you can download such a template for free printing.
Measure pupillary distance with ruler and mirror
Of course, you can also determine the pupillary distance analogously and without digital aids. All you need is a ruler (about 10 cm is enough) and a mirror. This is how you do it:
- To do this, hold the ruler horizontally to your eyebrows, close your right eye and align the zero point of the ruler with the center of the left pupil.
- Now open your right eye and read the distance to the middle of your nose or to the right pupil.
- Repeat the procedure with the other eye or several times to determine the exact PD value. With a second person you can do it without a mirror and it may be easier to read the values.
If you have measured the correct pupillary distance and have the remaining values ready, there is nothing standing in the way of your new glasses! By the way, a blue light filter for the glasses doesn’t necessarily make sense and did you know that Apple wants to compete with opticians like Fielmann and Co. – with its AR glasses.
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