Why Does Squinting Help Us See Better?

DebiK · #1 (**permalink**) 12-18-2007, 10:23 PM

Hello!

This is something I've been wondering about. It seems like a dumb question, but I think this forum is a safe place to ask dumb questions. When we have trouble seeing something, why do we squint? How is it that squeezing our eyes almost shut makes things less blurry? It must have something to do with limiting the amount of light entering our eyes, right? Is it a similar principle that is supposed to make those "pinhole glasses" work, or is that completely different? Inquiring minds want to know!

graceydo · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 03:06 PM

This inquiring mind would like to know the answer to that too. Because we all squint. My father thinks maybe its because the eye gets in a different position when you squint.

flowerhorn · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 04:24 AM

By squinting our eyes, it artificially makes the pupils smaller. By making the pupils smaller, the depth of field is increased, meaning you get better focusing on a wider range of distance. It is based on the same principle of pinhole. The smaller the hole, the sharper the object while a bigger hole will give you a blurr object in a certain fixed distance.

graceydo · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 09:13 PM

Cool! That makes sense and ties right in with what debik wrote too. I had wondered about that before, so thanks!

lucky_witch · #5 (**permalink**) 02-20-2009, 04:09 AM

This question actually made me squint. I am not sure if it really help. Maybe squinting while moving your head closer to what you are looking does. I think the explanation above is better. (that made me tried experimental squinting)

tierialogy · #6 (**permalink**) 02-22-2009, 04:44 AM

Thanks for the information, flowerhorn. It made me think, too, why squinting makes us see better. I squint even if I have my glasses on. I need to get new ones. :P

kaylaris · #7 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flowerhorn

By squinting our eyes, it artificially makes the pupils smaller. By making the pupils smaller, the depth of field is increased, meaning you get better focusing on a wider range of distance. It is based on the same principle of pinhole. The smaller the hole, the sharper the object while a bigger hole will give you a blurr object in a certain fixed distance.

I have always wondered too, when I was younger I used to squint at school and the teachers didnt think anything of it but my mum took me to the optometrist and found I was very short sighted so I am glad that one of the things I have always wondered about is finally answered lol

AllTracTurbo · #8 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 10:06 AM

This article also says it has to do with changing the shape of your eye. I have also read this in many other articles after searching for a couple minutes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/education/ask/index.html?quid=781

So, that means that squinting works by two mechanisms - by both changing the shape of the eye and by letting in light that can be focused more precisely by the lens.

Ricardo · #9 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 12:58 PM

This is interesting. I wonder if squinting would be of any value as an exercise for the eyes?

I've heard of "palming" the eyes with the soft part of the hand as an exercise before.

DebiK · #10 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardo

This is interesting. I wonder if squinting would be of any value as an exercise for the eyes?

I've heard of "palming" the eyes with the soft part of the hand as an exercise before.

Thank you for your answers and input everyone. That "depth of field" thing that flowerhorn posted makes good sense.

As for eye exercises, maybe you should check the "Eye Health" section of this forum. I think there's some spirited debates about the merits of these eye exercises. Personally, I think the claims about the benefits of these eye exercises are exaggerated.