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/

More to Explore

Can I have Laser Eye Surgery if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

02 Nov 2013
Read more

What is Myopia or Short-Sightedness?

22 Jun 2012
Read more

Sick of wearing glasses? Optilase is here for you.

04 Sep 2020
Read more

Working from home? There’s no need to be stuck indoors without perfect vision and here’s 3 reasons why

22 Sep 2020
Read more

Book a Free Consultation Today!

At your consultation we will answer all your questions, discuss finance options, and assess whether you are a suitable candidate for one of our life-changing, treatments. Consultations with our expert Optometrists are free and take approximately 1 hour at one of our nationwide clinics.
World’s Leading Technology
Laser Eye Surgery Lifetime Care Guarantee
Laser Health Insurance Discount
World-Renowned Surgeons
20% Tax Relief
0% Interest Free Finance
99% Of Our Patients Recommend Us
No Waiting List Guaranteed

Patient Reviews

google
james robinson
February 9, 2025

Great staff and very understanding and helpful when taking through everything that will happen

google
Niamh O' Conghaile
February 7, 2025

I'm very happy with the results of my lens surgery. The staff were lovely, very professional and reassuring.

google
Letizia Oropallo
February 5, 2025

My experience with Optilase has been outstanding. From the initial consultation to the surgery, every doctor and staff member was incredibly kind, patient, and open to answering all my questions. They gave me the time and space I needed to feel confident in my decision. The surgery itself was a smooth and reassuring experience—I felt completely safe and comfortable throughout every step. About ten months later, I opted for an enhancement procedure in both eyes to perfect the results. Once again, the entire team was exceptionally supportive, guiding me through the process with care and professionalism. I couldn’t recommend Optilase more! Their dedication and genuine involvement in helping me achieve the best possible results truly made a difference.

google
Liz Allan
February 4, 2025

Going to Optilase Clinic and having lens replacement has changed my life . I feel like a yonger me . So good to be able to do the simple thinks like doing my eye make up . Getting all dressed up and not having to wear glasses . Giving me back my confidence. Don't miss waking up and putting my glasses on or falling asleep with on . I could keep going on but I won't. All I will say is from the time I made that first phone call I got the best before and after care . Thank you all at Optilase

google
Sandra Kelly
November 20, 2024

I have had a wonderful experience in Optilase. I went in and out within a short period of time. The staff are most professional, pleasant and kind. My eyes healed quickly and I have never looked back. Because of my eye condition I had to choose between using my glasses for normal wear or reading. I choose to be glasses free for most of the time, this means I can use my camera without my glasses getting in the way. I walk a great deal and wet glasses are a trial I no longer have to deal with. Overall my sight improved dramatically, I only need to remember to have a pair of non prescription glasses with me to read the smallest print. Many thanks to Optilase.

google
Gavin Creedy
November 19, 2024

Super fast process and made to feel comfortable the entire time. Highly recommend for perfect results!

google
Dominik Doruch
October 15, 2024

Realy good service i still have vision 30/30 better then should be.

google
Darragh Cull
September 18, 2024

My experience was very positive at Optilase Dublin. The surgery was a success and all the staff that I met working there were very friendly and helpful.

google
Kyle
July 16, 2024

Excellent service with excellent results. Well worth every cent

google
Kieran McCarthy
July 9, 2024

Amazing experience, easy to deal with. Very thorough and reassuring. Literally in and out, next morning drastic improvement. Delighted with the results. Wish I did it sooner

google
Amanda Mulligan
June 30, 2024

Amazing experience , amazing staff, amazing eye sight . I had lens replacement 3 months ago and would highly recommend.

google
Sinéad Elizabeth Delaney
June 11, 2024

My glasses has always made me feel self conscious to the point of not wearing them. I had my free consultation for eligibility with Rachel who was helpful and really put me at ease about the entire procedure. Elizabeth in reception was friendly and welcoming throughout each visit helping me set up all my upcoming appointments and fit me in for my surgery to meet my schedule. The day of surgery I was brought upstairs for re-scans. Paul did these and he was extremely kind. He answered all my questions making me feel at ease. After I was then called by Fiona who was assisting Dr. Tom in my surgery. I met Dr. Tom who ran over the procedure and answered questions I had. Fiona then went through the things to be mindful of after surgery showing me the three different eye drops to be taken and then helped me prep for surgery. The surgery itself was so quick. I first laid down on the chair and they dosed my eyes in eye drops which were to stop infections and aesthetic to keep my eyes open. Dr. Tom and the team began. It was such a quick painless procedure I couldn’t believe it was finished so quick. Already getting up I felt I could see better although a little fuzzy. Fiona guided me to the dark area of the reception while I waited to go home. The girls in reception had already called my dad and he was on the way. Sitting there I could already read the signs on the wall (I couldn’t when I had come in). Paul and Fiona came and sat with me for a second in reception asking me how I was and how I got on which was so nice of them. My dad collected me and I put my sunglasses on. It was a sunny day and I’m going to be honest the car ride home for me was the hardest part. Fiona told me my eyes would become heavy when the eye drops wore off. I felt the light from the sun in the car ride home was harsh on my eyes and my eyes stung. This was instantly relieved when I got home and went to my room which was in complete darkness. The first two hours my eyes were a little sore and stingy. Then this all faded very quick. No stinging. No pain. Nothing. All great. My eyes improving more and more as the day went on. I was nervous about the eye drops but set them up on my table with an alarm and it’s so easy to just pop them in. My eyes were quite red with two red dots on each side. I rested up for the evening and I wore my dark glasses they provided for a lot of the evening to really rest my eyes and by that night my vision was very sharp it was amazing. I slept very well with my eye mask and not once did I have to take painkillers. My follow up appointment was with Michaela who was lovely and stated I have 20/20 vision and my eyes look good. She also said the redness is 100% normal and is just bruising of the eye from the suction. My experience has been amazing. I honestly can’t thank the staff enough. Each and every one of them were so nice and welcoming and the liking to answer all my questions. If you have any doubts at all; I wouldn’t. Get it done if you can. I wish I got it done sooner. Any questions or using a refer a friend find me on fb or instagram

Lets Connect

Privacy CentrePolicy & ProceduresTerms & Conditions
Flexible Payment with
humm
Book a Free Consultation
crossmenuchevron-left