5 Easy tricks to measure your pupillary distance (PD)

Knowing the pupillary distance is important to find the right fit of glasses for your face. PD is mostly mentioned in your prescription slip. If you are not a prescription glasses user and you are looking to buy stylish fake glasses or blue light glasses for yourself, then you can only measure it by yourself.

Don’t worry, it’s not some rocket science. All you need to know is how to use a ruler correctly and you can accurately measure your PD.

Easy Trick Number 1

Stand (at least 30 cm away) in front of a mirror and place a ruler over your overhead
Now, close your right eye and place 0 mm on the ruler over the centre of the pupil of the left eye
Next, open both eyes and look straight
Now, close your left eye and trace the centre of the pupil of your right eye. The number above your right eye is your pupillary distance
Repeat these steps a few more time to get an accurate reading. For an adult, PD is generally between 54-74 mm
Those with hyperopia can minus 3 from the result to get the accurate PD

Easy Trick number 2

Ask your friend to take the readings for you. It’s difficult to focus on the small readings on the scale by yourself. Also, when you have a vision defect like hyperopia, then it will be difficult to get an accurate reading. Wearing faulty glasses with the wrong PD can cause you a headache, eye pain, blurry vision. You will also have difficulty in focusing.

Stand still, face straight and look at any object 20 feet away
Your friend will mark the centre of the left eye
Without getting into the frame of your view, your friend need to mark the centre of other eye
Now measure the distance between both the marks to get accurate PD

Easy Trick number 3

This trick is for a glasses wearer.

Stand 30 cm away from a mirror with your glasses on
Look straight
Close your right eye and mark the centre of the pupil of the left eye with a non-permanent marker on your glasses
Now open your right eye and look straight
Close your left eye and look straight
Mark the centre of the right eye with a non-permanent marker
Now remove your glasses and measure the distance

Easy Trick Number 4

Instead of measuring PD, find your dual PD. For most people, the distance between the centre of one eye to the nose bridge is not the same for both sides. For such asymmetrical faces, a single PD will not be an accurate reading. This will hinder their viewing. For such cases, a dual PD will be accurate.

Face a mirror at least 30 cm away and look straight
Place a ruler above your forehead and mark the centre of your left eye
Now measure the distance between the centre and your nose bridge
Repeat this for your right eye

You will get a result like 32 for the right eye and 30 for the left eye. In prescription slips, it is written as 32/30. The first number is OD (Oculus dextrus meaning right eye) and the second number is OS (Oculus Sinister meaning left eye).

If both the numbers are the same, then a single PD would work. If both the numbers are not the same, it will hinder your vision. Hence it is necessary to take dual PD to make your glasses.

Easy Trick Number 5

Finding the centre of the eye or focusing on looking straight while marking is a bit difficult task to do. Also, if you cannot take help from any friend, then try out this trick.

Stand still in front of a mirror at least 30 cm away
Instead of locating the centre of the eye, place the 0mm mark at the left end of the left eye
Now measure to the left end of the right eye
To cross-check, place the 0-mark on the right end of the right eye and measure till the right end of the left eye.

A do-it-yourself method is affordable methods but not really reliable. There is room for a lot of errors if you are doing it by yourself. Also, taking the help of others who are not professional is also not a viable option. Your friend may have a vision defect or they did the task sloppily. Anyway, you will suffer from your faulty glasses.

Get an eye test to get an accurate reading. Nowadays, you can avail free eye test while buying glasses. With NHS you can get a free eye test in the UK.

You can even get an eye test at your home or your place of work. You don’t need to take out time to schedule an eye test. Just schedule a time to get an eye test wherever you are comfortable and available.

What happens when you wear wrong prescription glasses

Wearing glasses has become normal. Where most people wear them to see clearly, there are people who like the fashion appeal that this accessory gives.

If you are from the latter category, you need to choose frames that suit your face shape, skin tone, hair colour and personal style. For example, cat eye women’s glasses for a round face. But, if you are someone who wears vision correction glasses, you need to make sure that you have the right prescription.

People with refractive errors are required to use glasses for vision clarity. Whether you are buying your first or fifth pair, make sure you buy glasses with the right prescription.

Your ophthalmologists or optometrists are only human. It is quite normal to make mistakes no matter how long you have been into your practice.

Signs that your prescription is wrong

Our vision changes throughout our lives. If you want to give up your old prescription glasses, make sure you visit your eye doctor to know if your optical power has changed. Although using wrong prescription glasses won’t cause any severe damage to your eyes, it can invite some visual and physical discomforts which are not worth suffering through.

Headache, nausea, dizziness or vertigo are some unpleasant side effects of using wrong glasses for your particular eye problem. Even when you order glasses online, be extra careful and enter the right prescription along with other useful information such as pupillary distance.

You don’t have to make a trip to your eye doctor to know if you are using the correct prescription, your eyes will let you know. However, if you are not accustomed to glasses or your prescription has recently changed, feeling dizzy is normal. Where some people take 2 to 3 days to adapt to their new spectacles, others might take up to two weeks.

Types of refractive errors

Different refractive errors target different parts of your eyes. Here are some vision problems that one can develop.

1. Myopia or Nearsightedness

In myopia, the length of the eyeball is longer than usual which causes the light to refract in front of the retina rather than focusing on the retina. People who are myopic are able to see close objects clearly but have a blurred vision when trying to spot distant objects.

If you have myopia, you can wear single vision lenses to get a clearer view at distance. Prescription eyeglasses are generally costly as they have specialised lenses with different focal powers. If money is a constraint for you, buy online glasses at affordable prices without going low on the quality.

2. Hyperopia or Farsightedness

Contrary to myopia, hyperopia occurs when the eyeball is too short that the light is focused behind the retina causing the eyes to lose their near focal ability. However, hyperopia is not the same for everyone. For example, sometimes the distant objects can be viewed clearly while other times people may have blurred distant vision.

Even if you have a 20/20 vision, you might want to consider wearing non-prescription glasses with protective coatings such as Anti-UV, Anti-Glare and Anti-Scratch. At Specscart, you will get these coatings for free on every pair of glasses that you buy.

3. Astigmatism

Astigmatism can be resulted from an oddly-shaped cornea. When your cornea is not round but rather shaped like a football, the light gets focused in front or behind the retina and thus your vision becomes blurry at any distance. People with astigmatism generally have distorted vision at every distance including near, intermediate and far. If you are a man with astigmatism and above 40, your eye doctor will most probably recommend men’s glasses with bifocal lenses to work on your vision difficulties.

4. Presbyopia

It is an age-related problem in which the crystalline lenses inside your eyes start to lose flexibility and become incapable of focusing on nearby objects properly.

People often confuse presbyopia with hyperopia but they are not the same. High hyperopia may even cause your eyes to have blurred vision when looking at far distances. In such a case, people with hyperopia will benefit from varifocal glasses that will give them vision clarity at all distances.

Side effects of wrong prescription

It becomes important to not only identify your particular eye problem but to also figure out the magnification strength or optical power you will need for your glasses.

When you have given an eye test, your optometrist will give you the latest prescription so you can get your lenses made or order glasses online using the right prescription. The correct optical power will work on your specific vision problem so the things around you are not a blurry mess.

However, if you act careless and buy glasses without consulting your eye doctor, these are the side effects that might come your way.

1. Headache

Have you ever worn somebody’s glasses and had a headache?

Excruciating pain in your head and eyes are the most common signs that must alarm you to check your prescription glasses. If you have frequent headaches for some days after you have started wearing your new eyeglasses, it is time to make a trip to your optometrist.

Your eyes work hard to adapt to a new prescription and when the prescription is wrong, they will work extra hard and wear themselves out in the process.

2. Vertigo

Vertigo is not just dizziness. It is the feeling of dizziness that does not go even when you lie down. Blurred vision is also a cause of vertigo but wearing glasses with the wrong prescription will make the situation only worse.

If you don’t have vertigo or if it has become worse with your new glasses, see your doctor and get your prescription fixed.

3. Blurred vision

When your optical power is off even a few degrees, you might have blurry vision. However, blurriness can also occur while adjusting to a new pair of frames. If the situation remains the same even after two weeks, it’s most likely that you are wearing wrong glasses.

The Final Word

We trust our optometrists but they can also make mistakes while taking your eye measurements leaving you with the wrong prescription. The next time you visit your eye doctor, make sure to notice how well you are able to see after your glasses fitting. If you like to buy online glasses, pay close attention to the prescription as well as the fitting.

Your eyes have a way of telling you that something is wrong with your optic health. If you have any questions about your vision difficulties, talk them out with your eye doctor or optometrist.

How to stop your glasses from fogging up when you are wearing a mask

5 ways to avoid your glasses from fogging up

So you have just bought a pair of designer glasses online that match your outfit and as you step out of your house and put on your mask, your lenses become foggy.

Wearing masks is not a choice, it is the need of the hour. While many people still feel the discomfort of wearing face covers, it is a different struggle altogether for eyeglass wearers, isn’t it?

As much as it is important that we cover our face in public, people with glasses find it even more difficult as the lenses get fogged up causing clouded vision.

The face mask does not give an outlet to your warm breath which causes the hot air to escape from the gap between your mask and your nose leading to misted up lenses. Being an eyewearer myself, I know how frustrating it can be.

If you are also fed up of wiping off your glasses and fixing them again and again as the moisture causes them to slip-off your nose, I have got some tricks up my sleeve that you can try as well. We all want to be safe but that does not mean that we have to give up our comfort.

Here are some tips to keep your glasses fog-free even when you’re wearing a mask:

1. Use masks with a nose bridge

If your mask is loose on your nose, there will be enough gap for your breath to escape upwards to your glasses. Buy masks that have flexible nose bridges so they fit firmly on your nose.

It will prevent your breath from reaching your lenses while also giving you a better protective gear.

2. Use soap and water

The solution to foggy glasses doesn’t get any simpler. Before you put on your eyewear, wash the lenses with soapy water and wipe away the excess moisture. Clean the lenses with a microfiber cloth or let them air dry.

Washing your lenses with soapy water will leave a thin film on them that will prevent water molecules to form on their surface.

3. Tighten your mask with ear loops

You don’t have to buy a tight fitting mask, you can simply adjust it as per the width of your face. If the ear loops are too big, twist them forming an ‘X’ shape and then put on the mask. There are also self-tying face masks that you can adjust yourself so that they fit close to your face. But do not tie it so hard that it causes redness behind your ears.

4. Secure your glasses

It is really annoying when our eyeglasses slip down our nose due to moisture. And the rush to sanitize your hands first before you secure your frames back again is a whole different story. Let me tell you how you can avoid this situation. How about you wrap the strings of your masks around your frame’s temples?

If your frames are constantly slipping down, it could be that they are slightly bigger for your face. Wearing glasses that sit perfectly on your face will keep you away from this trouble. If you have been sporting the same frame for a long time and want a new one, you can buy glasses online to save the cost and choose from a wide variety of frame shapes and designs. Or, if you want to make do with the existing pair, go to your local optician and have it fixed.

5. Breathe downward

You won’t have to readjust your mask everytime if you change your breathing habit. To keep your glasses from fogging up, you can try breathing out downwards – Let me tell you how. Keep your upper lip over the lower lip and then exhale.

It might seem awkward at first, but once you know how to do it right, it is one of the easiest solutions to keep your lenses moisture-free.

Where to get the best deals on Prescription Glasses?

Prescription glasses can be costly nowadays. Plus, the additional cost of an extra protective coating or a designer frame preference can increase the cost in the blink of an eye. So, the best thing to do is to look out for the best deals on prescription glasses. No one wants to burn their pocket while buying a pair of decent looking glasses, so deals can be an enormous lifesaver.

Rather than suggesting multiple brands or the list of top 10 best deals on prescription glasses, we’ll cut right to the chase. Why not save your time from jumping from one brand to another for a better price, by simply suggesting the best place.

The one-stop-shop for all your prescription and non-prescription needs is well managed at Specscart. A Manchester-based eyewear startup offering prescription glasses, blue light glasses, designer fashion glasses, transitions, sunglasses and more, starting at only £25.

That too, all glasses at Specscart comes in impact-resistant lenses with fully loaded anti-glare, anti-UV and anti-scratch coating for FREE.

A stunning range of eyeglasses made out of premium acetate, wood, and metal that offers durability and utmost clarity. Interested in buying a new pair of glasses?

Try them out before buying!

Specscart offers free home try-on service that allows selecting 4 of your favourite frames to be tried at home before making a purchase. Pick your favourite, bring them home, and give them a try, bring in your friends and family to help you decide. Once you’ve done the deed, send them back and place an order to own them forever.

Here are the 5 most affordable glasses at Specscart

1. Radcliffe – Brown & Grey Striped Round glasses

Fan of retro colours? Radcliffe is the finest pick for you. These round glasses feature bold and subtle colours, giving out a marble pattern. Present in funky brown, with a modern finish, the brown colour smoothly fits in with all your outfit choices. Made out of cellulose acetate, Radcliffe is extremely lightweight, comfortable and perfect for all occasions.

Excellent for your prescription glasses, distance, blue light, reading or varifocals. Radcliffe is great for square, oblong and triangle face shapes. Get these chic look beauties at only £29.99.

2. Delph – Dark cherry red cat-eye glasses

The Delph frames are a mix of round and cat-eye shape, giving you an attractive cherry red oversized frame. A frame with an excellent shape and shade that never goes unnoticed. In its quirky elegance, it’s a perfect pair of glasses for when you are bored with classic round or cat-eyed glasses.

Glamorous with cherry red on a polished acetate, these funky and feminine glasses are a fashion statement. Suitable for all prescription and non-prescription glasses, you can get Delph at only £29.99. The best designer cheap glasses online for all the ladies out there!

3. Norton – Black Acetate Aviators

In the mood for quirky and creative looking glasses? Norton is the best one for you. Present in dark matte black, these frames are full of confidence, power and creativity. Designed in their quintessential design, Aviators aren’t ever going out of style.

It’s a perfect full-rim design in the highlight of the glasses, looking very flattering on your face. Suitable for both men and women, Norton is best Aviators that go seamlessly on casual and formal outfit choice. The beautiful premium acetate quality gives these glasses a modern and sleek appeal. Utterly lightweight, perfectly symmetrical and accentuated with a minimalistic appeal, these black Aviators are worth a try. Make them yours for only £29.99.

4. Prescot – The transparent geometric

The Prescot is full of surprises. You not only get the in-trend transparent design but also in a geometric shape. How modern is that? The frames are captivating, to say the least. If you want to add an element of minimal creativity in your look, Prescot is perfect for the job.

A full-rimmed frame with a polished transparent design, optimal for both men and women. It’s hard to resist acetate surface and funky geometrical shape makes it utterly charming and a trendsetter in 2021. Feel free to pair these frames to your casuals or formals, these transparent geometric glasses will turn heads wherever you go. Bring them home for only £29.99.

5. Carnage – Purple Rectangular glasses

What makes the Carnage such a sartorial frame? Well, its bold play of colour on the most minimal yet classic shape of all time is just what you need to complete your look. Designed into thin-rimmed and sleek lines, these modern mix of glasses are perfect for both men and women. A bold and chic design that doesn’t veer into the “cutesy” territory”, Carnage is a match made in heaven for everyone with premium taste. While being purple at the forefront, Carnage features rose gold temples with a glossier appeal. Call these frames your very own for only £29.99.

Get all these top 5 frames at Specscart with up to 70% off on their Christmas sale.