DIY interpupillary distance measurement

simonineaston

One of the ways some opticians keep us toeing their profiteering line (note I said 'some' and not 'all') is refusing to tell us our inter pupillary distance or IPD. It's notoriously tricky to measure at home, especially if you have poor sight.
I recently read about a simple method and thought I'd give it a try, to see how close it got to my measured IPD. I tried it at the week-end and was surprised at how effective it was. Here's how you do it.
Cut 2 strips of thin white card 4 inches by 1 inch. At one end of each make a 2mm hole - best use a punch but a knitting needle or some such will do. Use a bulldog clip to hold the pieces of card together in a V shape, with the holes at the top of each arm of the V.
Holding the V close to your face, make sure you can see through both holes, one for each eye - the two holes will typically need to be two and half to three and a half inches apart. Once you are sure the holes are set right, extend your V to arm's length and closing one eye at a time, make sure the two arms are set accurately the right distance apart so your chosen distant object is visible through the left hole when you use your left eye (close your right), and through the right hole when you use your right eye (close your left). Obviously, the V has to stay still while you're viewing!
Once you're confident that you can see the distant object correctly, you can put the V down on a table, making sure the arms don't move apart, and use a good ruler to measure exactly how far apart the two holes are.
Mine was bang on my IPD as measured by my local (friendly!) optician.

Tom99

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Well done, I am not sure I would trust that method to order glasses though.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]If I remember correctly is it when you need to buy varifocals that you need that measurement which in not normally given to you on your prescription.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I have had that problem.[/FONT]

Gloomendoom

The online reglazing firm I use asks for a photo of you wearing the empty frames and looking directly at the camera. I have two pairs of varifocals using this method and both have been perfect.

simonineaston

Gloomendoom wrote: »

The online reglazing firm I use asks for a photo of you wearing the empty frames and looking directly at the camera. I have two pairs of varifocals using this method and both have been perfect.

That's interesting - I was wondering how they do it. Does that mean they send you the empty frames in the post especially to try on and take the photo? Have you bought them at this stage, or is it part of a try 'em and see if you like 'em arrangement?

oldbolddiver

I have used a reliable local optician for several years. I asked them to provide prescription lenses for a dive mask as the dive shops that used to offer this service now say they are not allowed by law to provide the service as they do not have an optician to dispense the mask once glazed.

The quote for this was as high as &800 when I usually paid around £50 to put lenses into my chosen mask. I usually chose the mask in store to make sure it fitted my narrow face before committing to the lenses.

I was told by an American diver I met on holiday to try a website in USA that offers this service although I would have to choose the mask without fitting but I am confident they offer a small fit mask. I need the Pupillary Distance measurement and NearPD to complete this order. My optician refuses to give me this info.

BananaRepublic

It makes me angry after spending £500 that they are so petty minded as to not provide the IPD. I measured it using the ruler and mirror method. I also did not get an itemised receipt so I have no idea which brand of lens I have. Which other profession acts in such a sloppy manner as many opticians?