How to Create Custom References in Optogrid for PD

Short Answer: Custom Reference Registers let you save frequently-used measurement references (like frame widths, ruler lengths, or calibration objects) in Optogrid settings. Once saved, you can instantly apply them to future PD measurements without re-entering dimensions each time—saving time and ensuring consistency across measurements.

For optical professionals handling high volumes of measurements or working with specific frame brands repeatedly, Custom References eliminate repetitive data entry and reduce the chance of calibration errors.

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What Are Custom References and How Do They Work?

In digital PD measurement, a reference object provides the scale calibration that allows Optogrid to convert pixels to real-world millimeter measurements. Common reference objects include rulers, credit cards, or the known width of eyeglass frames.

The challenge: Entering reference dimensions manually for every single measurement becomes tedious, especially when you’re:

• Using the same calibration ruler repeatedly (e.g., a 40cm ruler)
• Measuring for a specific frame brand with known dimensions (e.g., Ray-Ban Wayfarer 140mm width)
• Working in a high-volume optical shop with standardized processes

The solution: Custom References let you save these measurements once and reuse them instantly. Think of it as creating a library of your most-used calibration objects.

According to measurement standards from the American Optometric Association, consistent calibration is essential for maintaining measurement accuracy over time. Custom References ensure you’re using the exact same calibration data every time, eliminating transcription errors.

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Types of Custom References You Can Create

1. Frame Width References

Save the exact width (temple-to-temple measurement) of specific frames you work with frequently.

Common use cases:

• Popular frame models you sell often (e.g., “Ray-Ban Wayfarer 52mm – 140mm width”)
• House brand frames with consistent dimensions
• Frame manufacturer standard sizes

Why it matters: Using frame width as a reference is highly accurate because the frame is in the same plane as the patient’s face, reducing parallax errors.

2. Calibration Ruler References

Save standard ruler lengths you use for measurements.

Common examples:

• “15cm Ruler” (150mm)
• “6 Inch Ruler” (152.4mm)
• “40cm Calibration Bar” (400mm)

Best practice: Measure your actual ruler with calipers to account for printing variations. A “6 inch ruler” might actually be 152mm instead of the theoretical 152.4mm.

3. Credit Card References

Standard credit card dimensions are consistent worldwide and make convenient reference objects.

Standard dimensions:

• Width: 85.6mm (ISO/IEC 7810 standard)
• Height: 53.98mm

Advantage: Patients always have a credit card available, making remote measurements easier.

4. Custom Calibration Objects

Save dimensions for any object you use regularly as a reference.

Examples:

• Optometry trial frame widths
• Specific PD measurement tools
• Custom-printed calibration cards

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When to Use Custom References vs Manual Entry

Situation	Recommendation	Why
Repeat frame brand measurements	Custom Reference	Save the frame width once, reuse for all measurements of that model
High-volume optical shop	Custom Reference	Standardize calibration across all staff members
One-time unusual reference	Manual Entry	Not worth saving if you’ll never use it again
Quality control verification	Custom Reference	Ensure consistent calibration for accuracy audits
New frame model each time	Manual Entry	Different dimensions every time means no reuse benefit
Remote measurements	Custom Reference	Save “Credit Card – 85.6mm” for consistent patient instructions

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How to Create and Save a Custom Reference (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Access Reference Settings

Log into your Optogrid account and navigate to the Settings page:

1. Look for the Settings icon (gear symbol) in the top-right corner of your dashboard
2. Click on Settings to open the settings menu

Step 2: Open References Section

Once in settings:

1. Select the References option from the left sidebar menu
2. You’ll see a list of any existing custom references (if you’ve created them before)
3. Click on the Create a New Reference button

Step 3: Enter Reference Details

In the Create Reference dialog:

1. Name your reference — Use a descriptive name you’ll recognize later

• Good: “Ray-Ban Wayfarer 52mm – 140mm Frame Width”
• Good: “15cm Ruler – Actual 149mm”
• Bad: “Frame 1” (too generic)
• Bad: “Ref” (not descriptive)

1. Enter the precise measurement in millimeters

• Measure your reference object with calipers for maximum accuracy
• Enter the measurement value (e.g., 140 for a 140mm frame width)
• Double-check for decimal errors (140mm not 14.0mm or 1400mm)

1. Select measurement type (if applicable in your Optogrid version)

• Frame width
• Ruler length
• Custom object

1. Click Save to add the reference to your library

Pro tip: Create references in batches for all your common frames or rulers at once, rather than adding them one at a time as needed.

Step 4: Verify Your Reference

After saving, verify the reference appears in your list:

• Check that the name displays correctly
• Verify the measurement value is accurate
• Edit if any errors are found

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How to Use Custom References During PD Measurement

Once your references are saved, using them during measurement is quick:

Step 1: Start a New Measurement

Navigate to the Measurement screen when working on a patient photo (whether uploaded via Patient Links or captured directly).

Step 2: Select Your Custom Reference

On the measurement interface:

1. Look for the Reference dropdown menu
2. Click to open the list of available references
3. You’ll see both standard references and your custom references
4. Select the appropriate custom reference from your library

Step 3: Apply and Measure

Once selected:

• The reference dimensions are automatically applied to the measurement
• Place the reference markers on the reference object in the photo (just as you would normally)
• Optogrid will use your saved dimensions for scale calibration
• Proceed with PD measurement as usual

Time saved: Instead of typing “140mm” every time, you select “Ray-Ban Wayfarer 140mm” once—saving 10-15 seconds per measurement. In a high-volume shop (50+ measurements/day), this adds up to 10-15 minutes saved daily.

For complete measurement instructions, see our guide on How to Measure PD with Optogrid.

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Best Practices for Naming and Organizing References

Naming Conventions

Use consistent, descriptive names that make sense to your entire team:

Frame references:

• Format: [Brand] [Model] [Size] - [Width]mm
• Example: “Ray-Ban Wayfarer 52mm – 140mm”
• Example: “Oakley Holbrook 55mm – 143mm”

Ruler references:

• Format: [Length] Ruler - Actual [Measurement]mm
• Example: “15cm Ruler – Actual 149mm” (if your ruler is slightly off)
• Example: “6 Inch Ruler – 152.4mm”

Standard object references:

• Format: [Object Type] - [Measurement]mm
• Example: “Credit Card – 85.6mm Width”
• Example: “Business Card – 89mm Width”

Organization Tips

1. Group by category — Create naming patterns so similar references sort together alphabetically

• All frames start with brand name
• All rulers start with “Ruler”

1. Include measurement in the name — Makes it easy to verify you’re using the right reference
2. Update names if dimensions change — If you replace a worn ruler with a new one, update the reference or create a new one
3. Delete unused references — Periodically clean out references you no longer use to avoid clutter
4. Share with team — Make sure all staff members understand your naming conventions

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Common Mistakes When Creating Custom References

Mistake 1: Decimal Point Errors

Wrong: Entering 1400 instead of 140mm (off by factor of 10)
Right: Always enter measurements in millimeters, double-check decimal placement

Mistake 2: Using Theoretical vs Actual Measurements

Wrong: Assuming a “6 inch ruler” is exactly 152.4mm
Right: Measure your actual ruler with calipers—it might be 151mm or 153mm due to printing variations

Mistake 3: Generic Names

Wrong: “Frame 1”, “Ref 2”, “Test”
Right: “Oakley Holbrook 143mm”, “Credit Card 85.6mm”

Mistake 4: Not Verifying After Creation

Problem: Saved a reference but never tested it
Solution: Use the reference on a test measurement immediately after creation to verify accuracy

Mistake 5: Confusing Width and Height

Problem: Saving frame height instead of width, or vice versa
Solution: Always specify “Width” or “Height” in the reference name, and double-check which dimension Optogrid expects

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Advanced Use Cases for Custom References

High-Volume Optical Chains

Create a standardized reference library across all locations:

• All stores use the same calibration rulers
• Popular frame models have saved references
• New employees can select from established references instead of manual entry

Benefit: Consistency across locations, easier quality control, faster training

Frame Brand Partnerships

If you’re an authorized dealer for specific brands:

• Save references for the top 10-20 frames you sell
• Speeds up lens replacement orders for those frames
• Ensures accurate measurements for high-value progressive lens orders

Benefit: Faster service for repeat customers, fewer measurement errors

Remote/Telehealth Workflows

Create patient-friendly references for remote measurements:

• “Standard Credit Card – 85.6mm Width” (every patient has one)
• “US Driver’s License – 85.6mm Width” (standardized size)
• “Letter Size Paper – 279mm Height” (for patients at home)

Benefit: Simplifies Patient Link instructions—”Use a credit card as your reference”

Quality Control and Accuracy Audits

Maintain a dedicated calibration reference:

• “QC Standard Ruler – 150.0mm (Verified 2026-02-23)”
• Use this reference monthly to verify measurement consistency
• If measurements drift, you know it’s time to recalibrate or check equipment

Benefit: Maintains measurement accuracy over time, supports quality assurance programs

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How to Edit or Delete Custom References

Editing an Existing Reference

If you need to update a reference (e.g., measured the object more precisely):

1. Go to Settings → References
2. Find the reference in your list
3. Click the Edit icon (pencil symbol)
4. Update the name or measurement value
5. Click Save

When to edit: You’ve measured the reference object more accurately, you want to rename it, or you’re correcting an error

Deleting a Reference

If you no longer use a reference:

1. Go to Settings → References
2. Find the reference to delete
3. Click the Delete icon (trash symbol)
4. Confirm deletion

Warning: Deleted references cannot be recovered. If you think you might use it again, consider keeping it instead of deleting.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Custom References

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Benefits of Using Custom References

Time Savings

Without Custom References:

1. Start measurement
2. Type reference dimension manually: “140” + “mm”
3. Double-check for typos
4. Proceed with measurement

With Custom References:

1. Start measurement
2. Select “Ray-Ban Wayfarer 140mm” from dropdown
3. Proceed with measurement

Time saved per measurement: 10-15 seconds
Daily savings (50 measurements): 8-12 minutes
Annual savings (250 working days): 33-50 hours

Accuracy and Consistency

• Eliminates transcription errors — No more typos (140mm vs 14mm vs 1400mm)
• Standardizes calibration — Everyone on your team uses the exact same reference measurements
• Reduces training time — New employees select from established references instead of learning to measure reference objects

Workflow Efficiency

• Pre-measurement setup — Create references once during quiet periods, use them during busy times
• Quality control — Easier to audit measurements when everyone uses standardized references
• Team collaboration — Shared reference library means consistent practices across all staff

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Related Optogrid Features

Custom References work seamlessly with other Optogrid measurement tools:

• How to Measure PD, Dual PD, and SH with Optogrid — Complete measurement workflow using custom references
• Bridge Markers — Use frame width references in combination with bridge markers for maximum accuracy
• Patient Links — Send measurement instructions with standardized references (e.g., “use a credit card”)
• About Optogrid — Learn more about our measurement technology and accuracy standards