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Wide Pupillary Distance (Wide PD) is a measurement where the space between your pupils is broader than the average adult range. When you have a wide PD, it is critical to choose a frame that is wide enough to match. If your frame is too narrow, your eyes will look like they are sitting too far toward the outer edges of the lenses, which can cause visual discomfort and eye strain.
read more about wide pupillary distance (wide pd) ...The average adult PD is around 63mm. A PD of 68mm or higher is generally considered wide. For people in this range, standard-sized frames may feel tight on the temples and look too small on the face. Specially sized Large or Extra Large frames are usually recommended to provide the best visual and aesthetic results.
If you have a wide PD and choose a frame that is too large, the lenses may need to be moved outward to line up with your eyes. In plus prescriptions, this can make the inner edge of the lens thicker. In minus prescriptions, it can make the outer edge thicker. A well-matched frame keeps the lenses centered and as thin as possible.
Every lens has an optical center, which is the point where your vision is the clearest. If your wide PD is not matched to your frame, your eyes will be looking through the side of the lens rather than the center. This can cause blurriness and unwanted prism effects that make you feel like you are looking through a funhouse mirror.
You can wear most styles, but you should look for frames with a wide bridge or longer endpieces. Aviators and large square frames are often great choices for wide PDs because they offer plenty of room to center the lenses without the frame feeling too tight on the sides of your head.
An optician can measure it accurately using a tool called a pupillometer. You can also measure it yourself with a ruler in front of a mirror, but professional measurements are highly recommended for the best results.
No, the measurement itself does not change the price. However, if your PD is very wide, you might need oversized lens blanks, which can sometimes carry a small extra fee depending on the lens laboratory.
For adults, the PD remains constant once you are fully grown. For children, it increases as they grow and their facial structure widens, which is why kids need their PD remeasured with every new pair of glasses.
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2. The Importance of Precise Pupillary Distance in Spectacle Dispensing. College of Optometrists. https://www.college-optometrists.org/guidance/clinical-management-guidelines/spectacle-frame-fitting.html. Accessed February 9, 2026.
3. Effect of Pupillary Distance Decentration on Visual Comfort. Journal of Optometry. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2456321/. Accessed February 9, 2026.
4. System for Ophthalmic Dispensing. Brooks CW, Borish IM. Butterworth-Heinemann; 2007.
5. Ophthalmic Optics and Visual Performance. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580554/. Accessed February 9, 2026.