Pupillary distance, which one do I use when ordering glasses

[Derek]

Hi

After several frustrating attempts to get my PD number I finally found
a shop that was willing to do the measurement for me. He gave me
67/64, which is the one that I use when ordering glasses online, the
reading measurement or the distance measurement?

Thanks, Derek

[Chuck Knight]

It depends on what kind of glasses you're ordering...if you're buying
distance glasses, use the distance PD. If you're buying reading
glasses, use the reading PD.

If you're buying bifocals, be sure to enter the distance PD, but
supply both in the "special comments" section.

-- Chuck Knight

[Thom]

i recently had my eyes checked and stipulated getting the PD written
down as a requirment for making an appointment. I was told "no
problem".

BUT, I was just given ONE number (65).
Which after further reading seems as though I should have gotten 2
SETS of numbers.
Any thoughts or opinions on how to work with getting only one number?
I notice that "do it yourself" PD techniques seem to only come up with
one number.
Can I subtract a couple of millimeters for bifocals/computer/reading
and figure that is good enough? Or is just using the 65 good enough
for general use.

Just how critical is it to get the PD EXACTLY right?

Thanks for any thoughts or opinions...

> > Thanks, Derek- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Paul]

Unless your eyes are somewhat asymmetrical relative to the center of
your face, one PD number (rather than a left-right pair of numbers)
should work fine for most purposes. It sounds like your prescription
was for distance. In that case, I'd probably use the same PD for a
computer prescription, and 2-4 mm less for close work like reading.

It's not usually that critical. Whenever you adjust your glasses on
your face, you're moving everything around by a few mm anyway.

[Chalo]

Thom wrote:
>
> Just how critical is it to get the PD EXACTLY right?

I have had my PD vary by 2mm among different prescriptions. I have
never noticed a difference that I could attribute to this variable.

Chalo