1. What Is Pupillary Distance (PD)?
Pupillary Distance (PD) is the distance between the centers of your pupils, measured in millimeters. This measurement ensures your lenses are properly aligned with your eyes so you can see clearly and comfortably.
If your PD is off, you may experience blurred vision, eyestrain, or headaches—especially with high prescription or multifocal lenses.
Why is PD so important?
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It ensures the optical center of your lenses matches your eyes.
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It helps customize your lenses to fit your unique vision needs.
2. Single PD vs. Dual PD
🔹 Single PD
This is one number that measures the total distance between your pupils. It's typically used for single-vision lenses (for reading, distance, or screen use).
🔸 Dual PD
This breaks PD into two separate numbers:
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Distance PD – for looking far away.
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Near PD – for tasks like reading or using a computer, especially important for multifocal or progressive lenses.
Knowing your dual PD helps ensure your glasses work well for both near and far vision.
3. How to Measure Your PD at Home
Don’t have a PD on your prescription? No worries—you can measure it yourself or ask a friend for help!
📏 Measure Your Own PD
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Stand about 8–10 inches away from a mirror.
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Hold a ruler against your brow.
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Close your right eye and align the ruler’s 0 mm mark with the center of your left pupil.
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Without moving the ruler, close your left eye and open your right.
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Read the mm mark that aligns with the center of your right pupil—that’s your PD!
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Repeat a few times for accuracy.
👯 Have a Friend Measure It
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Ask your friend to look straight ahead.
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Place the ruler on their brow.
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Measure the distance between the centers of their pupils.
Tip: Some apps and online tools can also help calculate your PD quickly and accurately!
4. What Do OD and OS Mean?
When looking at your glasses prescription, you might see the abbreviations OD and OS. These are standard terms used by optometrists:
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OD (Oculus Dexter): Right eye
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OS (Oculus Sinister): Left eye
You might also see OU, which stands for both eyes.
These abbreviations help your eye doctor specify the correct lens power for each eye.
🧠 Quick PD Reference
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Average adult PD: 54–74 mm
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Average child PD: 43–58 mm
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Dual PD is usually written as something like 30/31 mm (right/left)
Final Thoughts
Knowing your PD is essential for getting glasses that feel great and help you see clearly. Whether you measure it yourself or get it from your optometrist, having the correct PD ensures your lenses are perfectly positioned for your eyes.
At MANLYKICKS, we’re here to make your eyewear experience easy, accurate, and stylish—from start to finish.
About MANLYKICKS
Founded in 2017, MANLYKICKS is a leading online eyewear retailer offering affordable, fashion-forward glasses for women, men, kids, and readers. We believe your eyewear should be more than just functional—it should reflect your personality and point of view. That’s why we’re constantly updating our collections to match the latest styles and keep you seeing (and looking) your best.