Why do I see better when I squint?

Squinting is an instinctive reaction by your eyes to bright light, by trying to reduce the amount of light suddenly entering the eye.

 

However, if you find yourself squinting in order to see objects clearly, then it may be a sign of a refractive error, or perhaps a symptom of presbyopia if you are over forty.

 

When you squint, the limited light rays that do enter the eye, pass close enough to the centre of the lens so that a clearer, more focused image is created. The problem is that squinting can cause unnecessary strain on the eyes and contribute to the formation of crow’s feet and other deep lines.

Accommodative power of the eye

The eye adjusts its focal length automatically in response to how close or how far away an object is by changing the shape of the crystalline lens, a process that is known as accommodation.

 

The crystalline lens is a soft, flexible layer of the eye that is controlled by cillary muscles that are attached to it. Both the lens and the cillary muscles work together to change the shape of the lens to reposition light onto the back of the eye so images appear clear.

Do I need glasses if I am constantly squinting?

If you are over forty and have never needed glasses, then it is unlikely that you have developed a refractive error.

 

Refractive errors are caused by an irregularity in the shape of a person’s cornea which causes light to be focused incorrectly on the back of the eye. They usually become apparent during childhood or adolescence.

 

Presbyopia is not a refractive error, but merely a telltale sign that your eyes are getting old and can’t work as well as they did previously.

 

The condition is recognized by the steady decline of near vision, because the cillary muscles and lens cannot work as well to create a shorter focal length.

 

Reading glasses tend to be the default solution to Presbyopia, but there are two minimally invasive procedures available at Optilase to treat the condition effectively.

 

KAMRA and PRESBIA both involve the insertion of a tiny lens into the non-dominant eye that is used for restore the eye’s accommodative power for near vision.

 

For more information on either KAMRA or PRESBIA, book your free consultation on +353 1 223 8821 or visit www.optilase.com/reading-glasses/

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Patient Reviews

Brahim Bouya
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Brahim Bouya
June 12, 2026

Best decision I’ve made, highly recommend Optilase! My journey with Optilase actually started over a year ago with a free consultation. Due to the curvature of my eyes I wasn’t eligible for LASIK, but rather than turn me away, the team referred my results to the surgeon for advice and recommended I return in 12 months to check my vision was stable. That level of care and thoroughness from the very start really set the tone. A year later I came back, passed all the tests, and was approved for PRK. Every step of the process was explained clearly, the optician was precise and even gave practical tips like taking Omega 3 supplements to support recovery. On the day of surgery (30th April), I was nervous, but the team were incredibly reassuring from the moment I walked in. There were multiple checks, a detailed pre-op conversation with the surgeon, and a video walkthrough of the aftercare drops. By the time I went in, I felt fully prepared. The procedure itself took less than 2 minutes, I felt nothing. The technology is seriously impressive. Over a month on, my vision is transformed. It’s genuinely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. If you’re considering laser eye surgery, don’t hesitate and don’t hesitate to choose Optilase.

Aoife C
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Aoife C
June 12, 2026

Good experience, reassured during procedure and understood risks and all steps along way

Renata Gomes
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Renata Gomes
June 2, 2026

I couldn't finish the process without leaving a review for this amazing team. Thank you all for helping me see so clearly without needing glasses. This month marks 3 months since I had LASIK, and it has truly been life-changing. Wearing glasses always bothered me because I enjoy sports, and even contact lenses were often uncomfortable. The whole journey started with Clare Hegarty at South William Street. Thank you so much, Clare, for your care and attention. As a Senior Optometrist, you gave me hope. At first, the process seemed almost too easy, which made me a little nervous, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. Thank you as well to Thomas Materman. Your clear, simple, and direct explanation of the procedure made me feel comfortable and confident throughout the process. Thank you to the entire Optilase team. Three months later, it feels as if I never had surgery at all—except that I can now see perfectly. I have experienced no negative side effects, and I am delighted with the results. I highly recommend Optilase to anyone considering LASIK surgery.☘️☘️☘️

Blaithin Cox
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Blaithin Cox
May 30, 2026

Couldn't be happier with my experience of the Lasek eye surgery. I had consultations in St William Street and surgery in Carrickmines, staff in both clinics were friendly, professional, and excellent staff their job. I would recommend Optilase to anyone considering laser eye surgery.

Anne Beakey
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Anne Beakey
April 29, 2026

Staff are lovely here and provide a great service

Shane Guihen
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Shane Guihen
April 20, 2026

Couldn't recommend highly enough, everyone I dealt with, from the initial consultation, to the surgery and the after care were absolutely top class and a pleasure to deal with

Katie Corcoran
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Katie Corcoran
April 13, 2026

Excellent service. I found optilase really great to deal with- they were so professional and well organised before and during the laser eye surgery. They were also very friendly and the aftercare was great.

Roisin Mitchell
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Roisin Mitchell
April 7, 2026

I had a great experience and Optilase getting laser eye surgery, it was without a doubt the best money I ever spent and wish I did it years ago! I rave about it to anyone who'll listen. From my initial consultation to the surgery itself in Dublin and the aftercare in Galway I couldn't rate it highly enough. The staff were so professional, informative, friendly and attentative throughout the whole process. Extremely happy customer!

amnnau
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amnnau
April 3, 2026

Got my PRK surgery with optilase couldnt be happier! I was cared for in each step even post surgery, give me a call or message if you need referral

Amy Phelan
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Amy Phelan
April 2, 2026

Had such an amazing experience with Optilase in Cork. Such a brilliant team, they all made me feel so relaxed and explained everything so well. They reassured me so much on the day of my surgery, and I never felt rushed with any questions. I would highly recommend Optilase to anyone even considering laser eye surgery. I am the most nervous and skeptical person and it’s truly the best thing I ever did, there is honestly nothing to be worried about!! I had zero pain whatsoever and my vision was clear by that evening and 100% perfect the next morning, it’s truly amazing! Wish I got it done years ago. I have so much freedom now without contact lenses or glasses, it’s so hard to believe my vision is fixed!!

Helen Sanfey
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Helen Sanfey
April 2, 2026

My experience has been amazing. Everything was super professional and I was handled with complete care. My vision is perfect now and has changed everything for me.

Chloe Kearney
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Chloe Kearney
March 5, 2026

Had a consultation done today couldn’t fault the team at optilase the were very informative answer all the questions I had very quick and professional would definitely recommend

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