Does Pupillary Distance Have To Be Exact? - Rx-Safety

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Does Pupillary Distance Have to Be Exact?

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Pupillary distance – also known as interpupillary distance – is a measure of the distance between a subject’s pupils.

FINDING PUPILLARY DISTANCE

This measurement is factored into the creation of corrective lenses to help locate the optical center of the lenses. Millimeters are the measurement unit used as the industry standard.

The pupillary distance can be measured by machine – a “corneal reflex pupillometer” – or with a millimeter ruler by any optometrist or optical assistant. It can also be measured by you at home with a small ruler, if you’re careful. The pupillary distance measurement does not have to be 100% precise to be useful, as it can tolerate a fairly small error range. If you do measure your own pupillary distance, it is recommended that you try several attempts to be sure you get a fairly accurate measurement.

measuring ranges

To give you an idea of the kind of measurement readings you should get, here are the typical ranges for various groups:

• Average pupillary distance for an adult is between 54-68mm, with acceptable measurement deviations generally falling in between 48mm and 73mm.
• The range for children is approximately 41-55mm.
• The large majority (95 percentile) of adult males in the USA have a pupillary distance of 70mm while a small minority (5 percentile) measure 55mm.
• The range for adult females in the USA is between 65mm and 53mm.
• For Europeans the figures equate to roughly 1mm smaller than the above measurements.

Precision in Pupillary Distance:The Key to Clear Vision

Ensuring the accuracy of your pupillary distance (PD) is crucial when it comes to ordering prescription glasses. If you enter incorrect prescription information, including an inaccurate pupillary distance measurement, the consequences could affect your vision with the new glasses.

A precise PD ensures that you experience optimal visual clarity, and any deviation from the accurate measurement may lead to discomfort or difficulty focusing. It’s essential to provide the correct information, as mistakes in prescription details, whether from your optometrist or self-measurement, can impact the effectiveness of your new glasses.

At RX Safety, while we guarantee that your prescription safety glasses will be crafted precisely according to the specifications you provide, we emphasize the responsibility of accurate information submission. We cannot be held responsible for errors in prescription details, highlighting the importance of double-checking the measurements and ensuring the information aligns with your eye care professional’s recommendations.

Taking a moment to measure it accurately not only guarantees that your glasses align perfectly with your prescription but also enhances your visual experience and overall comfort. If needed, consider seeking assistance from another person to confirm the measure, ensuring the utmost accuracy for a seamless eyewear experience.

hOW TO MEASURE PUPILLARY DISTANCE YOURSELF

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If you find yourself with queries or require further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Feel free to contact us directly, or can leave a comment below. We’re here to help and ensure your experience is seamless and satisfactory!

1. Megan F says: January 13, 2026 at 11:25 pm

   Hi, I had a question about getting glasses online. Some frames PD distance only goes from 60 and up. My PD distance is 57. Does this mean that the frames are just big and it doesn’t matter or do I need to find frames that have my PD distance? Would 60 PD be okay for me?

   Reply
   • [email protected] says: January 15, 2026 at 9:42 am

     Hi. Thank you for reaching out! Regarding the PD (Pupillary Distance) range you’re seeing, it could be a limitation of that specific frame’s size, or it could simply be a technical error on the product page. To give you an accurate answer, could you please let me know which frame style you are looking at? Once I have that, I can verify the specifications for you. Generally speaking, if your PD is 57 and the frame minimum is 60, we usually don’t recommend “rounding up.” For the best visual clarity—especially with prescription safety glasses—the centers of the lenses need to align with your pupils. If the frame is too large for your PD, it can cause eye strain or blurred vision.

     Please send over the frame name or model number, and I’ll be happy to check if we can accommodate a 57 PD for you!

2. Rebecca Cook Black says: November 1, 2024 at 4:37 pm

   I went to my optometrist, and they measured my pupillary distance as 57.5 but the on-line shops want whole numbers. Should I put 57 or 58? They used a measuring machine

   Reply
   • Ryan Phillips says: November 12, 2024 at 9:55 am

     Put 57.5 and in the comments box write 57.5

3. N mao says: June 30, 2024 at 9:04 am

   Can a PD no. on glasses be changed?

   Reply
   • b.kotian says: July 1, 2024 at 10:58 am

     Hi N mao, If the PD (Pupillary Distance) number on glasses needs adjusting, the lenses would have to be remade. If you need further assistance feel free to contact our customer service team at +1 866 653 5227 or email [email protected]

4. Elaine says: November 5, 2022 at 11:02 am

   I used an online tool to measure my pupillary distance. I’ve used it 6 times and 3 times it gave me 61mm, the other 3 times it said 61.5mm. Which one value should I use when ordering glasses online?

   Reply
   • SanMartin says: November 7, 2022 at 9:24 am

     Hi Elaine,

     It may help to use another person’s assistance to confirm the measure.

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