Why Your Pupillary Distance Might Be Missing from Your Prescription

When it comes to buying eyeglasses, the pupillary distance (PD) is a crucial measurement to ensure proper fitting. However, it's not always included on prescriptions, leaving many people confused about how opticians can fit their glasses.

PD is the distance between the centers of your pupils and helps align your eyes with the optical centers of your lenses. Optometrists use a pupillometer to measure PD, but it may not be included on prescriptions for various reasons. Insurance companies may not cover the cost, and some optometrists may not have the necessary equipment or training.

Opticians can fit glasses without PD through various methods, such as using trial frames, digital technology, or an average or standard PD. Trial frames allow the optician to adjust lenses and align them with the patient's eyes. Digital technology involves taking a photograph of the patient's face and using software to measure PD accurately.

While pupillary distance is important, it's not the only factor in fitting eyeglasses. Opticians have different methods to ensure proper fitting even without PD.