Whether you’re trying to read a distant sign or make out small text, squinting may feel like a natural fix—and, for many people, it actually works. But just because it works doesn’t mean it’s a good long-term solution. Squinting improves vision clarity by changing the angle and amount of light entering your eyes, but it doesn’t solve the underlying issue causing blurry vision.
If you find yourself squinting often, it might be time to explore why. For example, frequent squinting that improves vision could indicate myopia. You should always consult with your eye doctor to prevent potential complications.
Squinting & Its Effect on Your Vision
Squinting isn’t magic—it’s simple optics. When you squint, you partially close your eyelids and reduce the amount of light that enters your eye. This modifies how light rays bend (or refract) when they pass through your cornea and lens. Squinting can do 3 key things to improve vision temporarily:
- Narrowing the focus point: Squinting enhances the depth of focus by limiting the light entering your eye, which often allows you to see objects more sharply
- Blocking scattered light: The edges of your eyelids act as a makeshift shield, blocking excess or scattered light, which can reduce glare and improve visual contrast
- Changing the angle of light: Squinting slightly alters the angle of incoming light, which may help focus images more precisely on the retina
While squinting may help in the moment, it’s a short-term fix at best. If you’re squinting often, it’s likely your eyes are signalling a need for proper vision correction.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a vision condition where distant objects appear blurry while nearby objects remain clear. If you have trouble reading street signs but can effortlessly read a book, you may be experiencing myopia.
Symptoms of Myopia
Myopia symptoms include:
- Blurry vision when looking at distant objects
- Squinting to improve clarity
- Eye strain or headaches, especially after prolonged focusing
- Difficulty seeing while driving, particularly at night
How Common Is Myopia?
Myopia is one of the most prevalent vision problems worldwide, affecting approximately 30% of the global population—a number that researchers expect to reach 50% by 2050 due to increased screen time and reduced outdoor activity.
Myopia can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, making daily activities like driving, reading signs, or attending presentations more challenging. If left untreated in children, it can increase the likelihood of developing serious complications later in life.
The Relationship Between Squinting & Myopia
Squinting is more than just a reflex—it’s a subconscious response aimed at reducing blurry vision. People with myopia may squint instinctively to compensate for the visual limitations of their eyes.
Studies show that squinting can improve visual acuity and provide temporary relief for people with mild or moderate myopia. But relying on squinting comes with its downsides:
- Without actually correcting the problem causing the blurry vision, your eye muscles work harder, which can lead to strained eyes
- Habitual squinting might mask the severity of underlying vision issues and delay the treatment you need
If you notice yourself squinting frequently—whether at distant signs, at your computer screen, or while driving—this is a clear signal to schedule an eye exam.
Strategies to Manage & Correct Myopia
Managing myopia, often called myopia control, is more than just an updated prescription for your eyeglasses. There are several effective strategies to help improve and protect your vision:
Use Prescription Glasses or Contact Lenses
Glasses and contacts are the most common methods for correcting myopia. With the right prescription, they provide immediate clarity for distant objects. But traditional glasses and contacts don’t prevent myopia from progressing.
That’s why, if it’s your child who has myopia, their eye doctor may prescribe specialty lenses that slow progression of the condition. Options include:
- Hoya Miyosmart lenses: These glasses use Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) technology to help reduce the progression of myopia in children while still providing clear vision.
- MiSight contact lenses: Soft, daily disposable contact lenses specifically designed for myopia management in children, to help slow the progression of myopia over time.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-k)
Ortho-k involves wearing specially designed contact lenses overnight that gently reshape your cornea. This temporary adjustment can help improve vision without glasses or contacts during the day.
Explore Laser Eye Surgery
Assuming that their eyesight has stabilized, adults with myopia may be candidates for refractive laser eye surgery. Procedures like LASIK or PRK reshape the cornea and correct the refractive error that causes myopia. Your eye doctor can help you determine whether laser eye surgery is an option.
Regular Eye Exams
Stay proactive by scheduling eye exams as recommended by your eye doctor. These appointments can detect early signs of vision issues and ensure you use the most effective correction methods.
Take Care of Your Vision Today
Squinting might help you see more clearly for a moment, but you shouldn’t treat it like a permanent solution. Myopia may seem like a minor inconvenience, but it needs proper management to prevent further complications.
If you’ve been squinting a lot, this is your sign: book an eye exam today. Call our team at Insight Eyecare today to schedule your next appointment. One of our experienced eye doctors can examine your eyes and offer an effective solution to give you the clear vision you need.
