Gender differences in interpupillary distance among Arabs.

Information about the normal values of interpupillary distance (IPD) for a particular age group, sex, and ethnic background has important clinical implications. Normative values of IPD could be useful in the diagnosis of certain syndromes and also in surgery after facial trauma. Our main reason for carrying out this study was to provide normal values and ranges of IPD for the male Arab population. The distance between the temporal limbus of one eye and the nasal limbus of the other was measured by a ruler. We have provided average values and range of values of normal IPD for Arab boys, young adults, and older adults. Arab males have IPD on the average 2.0 mm wider than females. Different experimental techniques and ages of subjects make conclusive statements about the ethnic variation of IPD difficult.