PD for Prescription Sunglasses: Everything You Need to Know

PD Sunglasses Prescription

Last updated: January 2025 | Reading time: 7 minutes

Summer's coming, or maybe you just want to drive without squinting. Prescription sunglasses let you see clearly and protect your eyes simultaneously. But ordering them—especially online—requires the same attention to PD that regular glasses demand.

Here's your complete guide to getting prescription sunglasses that actually work.

Do Sunglasses Need Different PD Than Regular Glasses?

Short answer: No. Your PD is your PD regardless of lens tint.

Pupillary distance measures the physical spacing of your pupils, which doesn't change based on whether you're wearing clear lenses, tinted lenses, or no glasses at all. The same PD you'd use for clear glasses applies to prescription sunglasses.

However, some nuances are worth understanding:

Distance Vision Assumption

Prescription sunglasses are typically used for distance vision—driving, outdoor activities, being out in the world. They should use your distance PD (not near PD for reading).

If someone's using reading sunglasses specifically (rare, but possible), they'd want near PD calculated for reading distance.

Wrap-Style Frames

Sports and wraparound sunglasses curve around your face more than regular frames. This wrap angle creates optical considerations that can interact with PD:

High-wrap frames may require prescription adjustments to compensate for the lens angle relative to your eyes. This is separate from PD but worth noting when ordering specialty sunglasses.

For standard, moderate-wrap sunglasses, your regular distance PD applies directly.

Ordering Prescription Sunglasses Online

The process mirrors ordering regular glasses:

What You Need

Current prescription
Accurate PD (distance PD for most sunglasses)
Frame selection appropriate for your PD
Lens options chosen (tint, polarization, coatings)

Frame Selection Considerations

Sunglasses frames tend to be larger than dress eyeglasses—fashion and sun coverage both push toward bigger lenses. This interacts with PD:

If your PD is narrow (under 60mm): Oversized sunglasses may require significant decentration to position optical centers correctly. This can affect lens thickness at edges and overall optical quality.

Consider frames closer to your natural PD, or accept some cosmetic trade-offs with very large frames.

If your PD is wide (over 68mm): You have more frame options since larger frames naturally accommodate wider PD. Just ensure the frames aren't so small that optical centers would need to be placed outside the lens edges.

PD for Aviators

Classic aviator sunglasses have very large lenses. Someone with narrow PD wearing aviators will have optical centers positioned well inside the frame's geometric center—often looking slightly cross-eyed from behind.

This isn't wrong, but it's worth being aware of cosmetically.

Polarization and PD: Any Connection?

Polarized lenses filter glare differently than standard tinted lenses. But this doesn't affect PD requirements at all.

Polarization is about how the lens treats light, not where the prescription is positioned. Use the same PD regardless of polarization choice.

Gradient Tints and PD

Gradient lenses (darker at top, lighter at bottom) are positioned based on aesthetics—the dark area should shade your eyes from overhead sun.

This tint positioning is independent of PD. The optical center (determined by PD) and the tint gradient (determined by lens cosmetics) are separate considerations.

However, if you have extremely high prescription requiring significant decentration, discuss with your optician whether this might visually conflict with the gradient positioning.

Prescription Sunglasses Types and Their PD Needs

Single Vision Distance

The most common prescription sunglass configuration. Use your distance PD, and you're good.

Progressive Sunglasses

Yes, you can get progressive prescription sunglasses. They're particularly useful for:

Beach reading
Golfing (seeing the ball and scorecard)
General outdoor activities requiring near and far vision

Progressive sunglasses need the same careful PD attention as progressive clear glasses—monocular PD is strongly preferred. Segment height matters too, potentially more than with indoor progressives since outdoor activities involve varied head positions.

Bifocal Sunglasses

Some people prefer lined bifocals for outdoor use. PD requirements match regular bifocals—distance PD for the main lens, appropriate inset for the reading segment.

Sports-Specific Designs

Prescription sport sunglasses (cycling, golf, fishing, etc.) often have specialized lens designs. Follow manufacturer guidance for measurements, which may include additional parameters beyond standard PD.

Photochromic vs. Prescription Sunglasses: The PD Angle

Photochromic lenses (Transitions or similar) darken in sunlight and clear indoors. They're an alternative to dedicated prescription sunglasses.

PD consideration: Identical. Whether lenses change tint or stay constant, the PD requirement is the same.

However, photochromics don't get as dark as dedicated sunglasses and may not suffice for bright conditions or driving (they don't fully darken behind car windshields). Dedicated prescription sunglasses remain superior for intense sun exposure.

Common Mistakes with Prescription Sunglasses

Using Average PD

Because sunglasses feel more casual than dress glasses, some people are tempted to skip PD measurement. "Close enough" seems acceptable for beach eyewear.

But prescription sunglasses still need correct PD. A 5mm error causing headaches while reading will cause headaches while driving—which is considerably more dangerous.

Ignoring Frame Size

People often choose sunglasses frames larger than they'd choose for indoor wear. This isn't wrong, but verify that very large frames can actually accommodate your PD appropriately.

Assuming Previous PD Applies

If your only PD measurement was taken years ago during childhood or adolescence, it may not be current. Adult PD stabilizes, but verify you actually have an adult measurement.

Forgetting About Progressives

If you wear progressives indoors and want sunglasses, you need to decide: progressive sunglasses (convenient but expensive) or single vision distance sunglasses (simpler but less versatile for activities requiring near vision).

This decision affects measurement needs—progressives require more precision.

The Investment Perspective

Prescription sunglasses aren't cheap. Frames suitable for outdoor use, quality tinted and polarized lenses, and optional coatings (anti-reflective back surface, mirror finishes) add up.

Getting PD right protects this investment. A $300 pair of prescription sunglasses with wrong PD is $300 of visual discomfort and wasted money.

Verification After Purchase

When your prescription sunglasses arrive:

Check the Rx: Have the prescription verified by an optician
Check the PD: Have optical center distance measured
Test outside: Actually wear them in sunny conditions
Monitor for symptoms: Headaches, strain, or visual issues indicate problems

Return policies exist. Use them if something's wrong.

Quick PD Checklist for Prescription Sunglasses

[ ] Using distance PD (not near PD)
[ ] PD appropriate for chosen frame size
[ ] Monocular PD provided for progressives
[ ] Same PD as regular glasses (no special adjustment needed)
[ ] Verified before ordering

Ordering prescription sunglasses? Get your PD first with our free online tool—same measurement works for all your eyewear.