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The optical center is the single point on a lens through which light passes without being deviated (bent). It is the point of the lens that contains the full, prescribed optical power and is where the wearer should look to guarantee the most accurate and comfortable vision.
read more about optical center ...The optical center must be aligned directly with the center of the wearer's pupil. If the optical center is vertically or horizontally misaligned, the wearer will experience an unwanted prismatic effect. This effect causes the image to shift, leading to eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision.
Misalignment is not physically harmful, but it creates significant visual discomfort and strain. When the optical center is far from the pupil center, the prismatic effect forces the eye muscles to work harder to fuse the misaligned images, resulting in persistent headaches and reduced concentration.
The specific point of the optical center is determined during the fitting process by measuring the Pupillary Distance (PD), which is the distance between your pupils. This PD measurement is a critical part of the fitting process but may not always be written on the prescription card itself.
The optical center is determined by measuring two distances:
Optical Height (OC Ht): The vertical distance from the bottom of the lens frame to the center of your pupils. These measurements are used to mark the point where the optical center must be placed on the final lens.
Can I measure my PD myself?
Yes, you can measure your PD at home, but having it measured by a professional is the most important way to guarantee accuracy for prescription glasses.
Does the optical center matter for contact lenses?
No, the optical center is less of a factor for contacts because they center themselves automatically on the cornea.
What is the prismatic effect?
It is the unwanted bending of light that occurs when you look through a lens anywhere other than the true optical center.