Normal Interpupillary Distance Values in an Iranian Population

PURPOSE To report normal interpupillary distance (IPD) values in different age groups of an Iranian population. METHODS This study was performed on 1,500 randomly selected subjects from 3,260 consecutive out-patients with refractive errors referred to Farabi Eye Hospital, Isfahan, Iran over a period of two years (2008 to 2010). Measurement of refractive errors and IPD for far distance were performed using an autorefractometer (RMA-3000 autorefractometer, Topcon, Tokyo, Japan). RESULTS Mean IPD in adult subjects was 61.1±3.5 mm in women and 63.6±3.9 mm in men (p<0.001). Mean IPD increased 4.8 mm during the second decade, 1.7 mm during the third decade, and 0.6 mm during the fourth and fifth decades of life. CONCLUSION The observed increase in IPD after the age of 30 years indicates that factors other than skeletal growth may affect this parameter.