For an RX with centers ground wider than the patient's PD OU +3.00D, what is the expected prismatic effect for the wearer?

When considering the scenario of an RX with centers ground wider than the patient's interpupillary distance (PD) for both eyes, we need to understand the relationship between the optical center of the lenses and the position of the pupils.

In this case, when the optical centers of the lenses are positioned farther apart than where the wearer's pupils naturally align (the PD), it creates a misalignment between the optical centers of the lenses and the wearer's line of sight. This discrepancy induces a prismatic effect that can be analyzed in terms of base direction.

Since the lenses are ground to be wider (centers farther apart), the light entering the lenses will be directed inward as the wearer looks straight ahead. This inward shift causes the light to diverge as it passes through the lens, resulting in a base-out shift for the wearer. Consequently, the prismatic effect experienced by the wearer will manifest as a base-out prism effect.

Therefore, when the centers of the lenses are wider than the patient's PD, the expected prismatic effect is base out, which directs light outward and can potentially cause discomfort or visual distortions if not properly aligned with the patient's visual needs.