How to find your Pupillary Distance and Ocular Height

Well firstly, what is pupillary distance (PD)? Essentially, it’s the length, in mm, between the centre of your pupils (the middle bit of your eyes).

Your PD is an important part of your glasses prescription that makes sure the center of your eyes are lined up with the best spot in your lenses for clear vision. We’ll need this measurement if you’re buying your specs online.

Finding your Pupillary Distance

If you’d like to measure your PD yourself you can download our PD measuring tool with instructions below. Once printed why not have a look through our step-by-step guide below.

Download the PD measuring tool here

Download PD & OC Measuring Instructions here

Measure your dual PD (Pupillary distance)

For any prescription lenses, it’s helpful to know your PD measurement.

Use the PD tool with either a mirror or an assistant (you’ll see there is one side of the tool marked out for each)

Hold both ends and place PD tool on on the centre of your nose.

Measure from the 0 to the centre of each pupil and take a note of each measurement.

These might be slightly different for each eye.

Ask a friend to help if needed.

Record these measurements like this:

PD:
L: 31mm
R: 32.5mm (example)
*Combine your dual numbers to get your total PD (63.5mm)

Measure your OC (Ocular Height)

If you need varifocal lenses, we’ll need your OC measurements taken with the frames you’re ordering lenses for.

Measure your OC

Stand in front of a mirror (about 1 foot away or close enough to read a ruler).

Hold a plastic ruler vertically against the frame and center the 0 in the middle of your pupil.

Measure the distance from the centre of your pupil to the bottom edge of the lens (not the edge of the frame).

Record the height for each eye.

These might be slightly different for each eye.

Ask a friend to help if needed.

Record these measurements like this:

OC:
L: 21mm
R: 22mm (example)

Still have questions? No problem, we can help you. Just catch us on live chat or email us a note using the link below.

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