What is IPD?
IPD, or Interpupillary Distance, is a measurement of the distance between the centers of a person's pupils. This measurement is crucial for ensuring optimal comfort and clarity in virtual reality (VR) headsets and augmented reality (AR) devices. Incorrect IPD settings can lead to eye strain, headaches, and a less immersive experience. You can measure your IPD using an iPhone or iPad Pro or several simple measurement methods. The IPD range for some VR headsets like the Oculus Quest 3 is between 58 and 70mm. Software IPD adjustment is often available to fine-tune the in-game camera distance for a more immersive VR experience.
However, IPD can also refer to several other things, depending on the context:
In healthcare, IPD stands for Inpatient Department. This is a facility within a hospital or healthcare center where patients are admitted for medical treatment, surgery, or management of complex medical conditions. This contrasts with an Outpatient Department (OPD), where patients receive treatment and then go home.
IPD: Invasive Pneumococcal Disease
In medicine, IPD can also mean Invasive Pneumococcal Disease. This is a group of illnesses caused by pneumococcal bacteria.
IPD: Integrated Project Delivery
In the construction industry, IPD stands for Integrated Project Delivery. This is a collaborative approach where key parties involved in design, fabrication, and construction work together using multiparty contracts to streamline the process and improve efficiency.
IPD: Individual Participant Data (in meta-analysis)
In research, especially in meta-analysis, IPD refers to Individual Participant Data. Using IPD allows researchers to combine data from multiple studies to perform a more powerful analysis, leading to more robust conclusions.
IPD: Other Meanings
IPD can also refer to other specialized contexts, such as IPD Analytics, a company offering drug life-cycle insights. The meaning of IPD always depends on its context.