Free PD education for online glasses shoppers
Buying glasses online? Understand your PD before you order.

Educational illustration · Not a measurement
Make sense of the labels on your PD report before you fill in an online glasses order.
Already have PD numbers? Understand themEducation guides · Interactive tools in private review
Free education. No purchase required. You choose where to shop.
eyePD does not sell glasses through this website. eyePD shares ownership with an optometry practice that sells glasses. Ownership & editorial policy
Learning Hub
Make sense of your PD report.
Start with the label you see, then follow the guide that matches your report or order form.
Why does PD matter?
Your prescription tells you the lens power. Your PD helps place that power left to right in front of your eyes. Poor alignment can lead to blurry vision, eye strain or headaches.
PD is one part of fitting glasses. Some lenses need other measurements too.
Can I measure my own PD?
Lens strength and eye alignment can change how much precision you need.
Educational draft · Clinical review pending
Featured · Practical guide
Why isn't my PD on my prescription?
No PD on your prescription? Ask if it was measured and is in your record. Find out if you need a new measurement.
Draft · Clinical and legal review pending
(in review)PD basics
What is PD, and why does an online glasses order ask for it?
Draft · Clinical review pending
Reading a report
Single vs dual PD: one number or two?
Clinically reviewed
Reading a report
Near vs distance PD: what do the labels mean?
Clinically reviewed
Ordering online
When an online glasses order asks for PD
Draft · Clinical review pending
Measuring PD
Can I measure my own PD?
Educational draft · Clinical review pending
Measuring PD
How to measure your PD
Follow the five-step mirror or helper method with a millimeter ruler. Learn the limits of each method and which labels to keep with the result.
Educational draft · Clinical review pending

AI-generated examples. New instructional images: clinical review pending.
Reading your PD report
Have a report in front of you?
The printable reference explains the labels on a PD report you already have.
Prescription and PD entry are in private review.
My Eye Records: in development
Keep the numbers. Keep the context.
Personal accounts for prescriptions and PD records are planned.
The sample below is fictional. Accounts, uploads and the interactive demo are in private review.
Fictional sample · Nothing is uploaded or saved

Spectacle prescription
Sample eye exam (fictional)
SAMPLE · NOT VALID FOR DISPENSING
- Patient
- Not listed (left blank for this sample)
- Prescription date
- June 2, 2024
| Eye | SPH | CYL | AXIS | ADD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OD (Right eye) | −2.00 | −0.50 | 175° | Not listed |
| OS (Left eye) | −1.75 | −0.50 | 10° | Not listed |
PD: Distance R 31.5 mm / L 31.5 mm
Educational sample only. The values are made up and use minus-cylinder format (CYL written with a minus sign). Do not use them to order or dispense lenses.
Sample history
Plain answers
Common questions
Do you sell glasses?
eyePD does not sell glasses on this site. It shares ownership with an eye care practice that sells glasses. The guides here are free. You do not need to buy anything. You choose where to shop.
Is camera measurement available?
No. eyePD does not measure PD. There is no camera, upload or scanning anywhere on this site.
Can I enter my own PD or prescription here?
This education version has guides and illustrations. Prescription and PD entry are in private review.
Is the provider finder a live directory?
The provider finder is in private review. The sample providers are fictional.
Does the record demo cost anything?
The guides are free. My Eye Records is in development. The prescription and chart shown on this page are fictional illustrations.
Free checklist
Clear vision starts with getting the details right.
The right PD helps your lenses line up with your eyes. The PD & Online Glasses Ordering Checklist is in development.
The printable PD labels reference is available in the meantime.
Open the printable PD labels referenceEmail signup is in development.
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