Sometimes, when things seem a little blurry, squinting feels like the easiest fix. Most of us have done it at some point, narrowing our eyes to bring a sign, a screen, or a distant object into focus. But is squinting bad for your eyes, especially if it happens often? The short answer is that squinting is usually a sign that something in your vision needs attention.
Although it may help you see more clearly for a moment, squinting does not correct the underlying issue. Over time, it can contribute to eye strain, fatigue, and headaches. If you notice yourself squinting regularly, it is a good idea to schedule an eye exam. Your optometrist can identify the cause and recommend the right treatment to improve your vision and comfort.
How Squinting Works to Improve Vision
Squinting is a natural reaction when your vision feels off. It’s a simple process that temporarily brings things into focus. It reduces the amount of light entering the eye by partially closing your eyelids. Then, the narrower opening changes how light reaches the retina.
Meanwhile, this habit also blocks any extra light that could otherwise scatter inside your eye. This cuts down on glare and improves contrast. The result? You see clearly—but only for a moment.
Squinting might feel like a quick fix, but it doesn’t fix the underlying issue. If you’re squinting often, it could mean your eyes need a little extra attention.
What Eye Conditions Cause Squinting?
If you find yourself or a family member squinting more often, don’t ignore it. Frequent squinting often points to conditions that make it harder to see clearly.
These conditions all tend to cause squinting (especially in children).
What Is Myopia?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is more common than most people think. Nearly 30% of Canadians are believed to be myopic, and that number is rising. It’s a common vision condition that causes distant objects to be blurry, while nearby objects typically stay clear.
This happens because the shape of the eye causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Light can’t focus properly inside the eye, so the further away an object is, the blurrier it becomes. This condition tends to develop in early school years, then worsens until adulthood. But it can be slowed and managed.
What Is Hyperopia?
Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is another common condition. It makes things up close appear blurry, while objects farther away typically look much clearer. This happens when the eye grows wider than it is long, which lets light focus behind the retina instead of right on it.
Because of this, reading or focusing on small details can feel frustrating and tiring. The good news is that with the right glasses or contacts, you can see clearly and reduce these symptoms.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism happens when the front part of your eye isn’t perfectly round. This means light scatters inside the eye, which causes blurry vision at any distance. There are several types of astigmatism, each defining what part of the eye is affected and how.
It’s common to have astigmatism alongside conditions like nearsightedness or farsightedness. Whether you’re reading a book or driving at night, this condition can make things seem a bit off.
What Is Presbyopia?
If you’ve noticed holding menus or books farther from your face to read them, you might be dealing with presbyopia. This is a normal part of getting older and happens when your eye’s lens loses its flexibility. It can make it harder to focus on nearby objects. Though presbyopia is an age-related change, options like reading glasses or multifocal lenses can help make day-to-day tasks easier.
What Is Eye Strain?
Eye strain is what happens when your eyes feel tired after doing things like staring at a screen, reading, or focusing for long periods. Your eyes use tiny muscles to control themselves and focus, and these can easily become overworked when you’re intensely focusing.
Luckily, small changes like taking regular breaks, adjusting your lighting, or following the 20-20-20 rule can help ease the discomfort. Paying attention to eye strain can keep your eyes feeling fresh and focused through busy days.
These can all affect your quality of life. So if you’re squinting more often than usual, make sure to book an eye exam. It could be a temporary problem like eye strain, but it could also be a sign of something more serious.
Tips for Managing & Correcting Squinting
Fortunately, squinting doesn’t have to be a long-term problem. Your optometrist can diagnose the root cause of your squinting, then help you treat it.
Some common ways to treat squinting include:
Prescription Glasses & Contacts
Prescription lenses are the most common way to tackle blurry vision caused by these underlying conditions. For children, specialized lenses can be used to slow how these conditions progress, while preventing future vision issues.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Ortho-k lenses are specialty contacts typically used in myopia control. They’re worn overnight and apply gentle amounts of pressure to the cornea. This reshapes the tissue to give you clear vision during the day.
Ortho-k is safe and highly effective. In many cases, it can even slow the progression of myopia as the child grows. This is a popular noninvasive treatment for adults and children alike.
Laser Eye Surgery
Procedures like LASIK can help correct refractive issues in adults. If your vision is stable, it might be worth considering after discussing it with your optometrist. However, you’ll need a laser eye surgery consultation to determine whether this procedure is a good choice for you.
Don’t Ignore Squinting
Squinting is often your eyes’ way of signaling that something is wrong. It may seem harmless, but frequent squinting can point to underlying vision problems that should be professionally addressed.
So why put your vision at risk, especially when our team at Southwood Eyecare is here? Book an appointment with Southwood Eyecare today to get started with a comprehensive eye exam and the care you need to see clearly.
