Comparison of Three Methods of Measuring the Inter-Pupillary Distance
Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences,
Vol. 6 No. 3 (2022),
14 November 2023,
Page 7-14
https://doi.org/10.22037/joos.v6i3.43349
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the results of three methods for measuring the interpupillary distance (IPD), including the pupillary distance (PD) ruler, PD meter, and auto-refractometer.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among patients admitted to Basir Eye Clinic, Tehran, Iran, between January 2018 and June 2019. Far-distance IPD was measured using the PD ruler, PD meter, and auto-refractometer by determining the midpoint between the pupils. Additionally, near-distance IPD and PD for each eye were measured separately using the PD ruler and PD meter.
Results: A total of 300 patients participated in the study, with 144 being male and 234 being female. The mean far-distance IPD was significantly higher among males (P < 0.001 for all three methods). There was a statistically significant correlation between far IPD and older age (P < 0.001 for all three methods). The mean far-distance IPD measurements using the auto-refractometer, PD meter, and PD ruler were 62.57 ± 3.79 mm, 61.95 ± 3.82 mm, and 61.24 ± 3.76 mm, respectively, indicating a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). However, no clinically significant difference (1 mm difference for one-sided or 2 mm difference for two-sided measurements) was observed among any of the measurement methods.
Conclusion: Although there were statistically significant differences between the three methods in measuring far-distance IPD, these differences did not reach clinical significance. Therefore, it appears that these three methods can be used interchangeably in a clinical setting.