Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Karsten on 09/09/2009 20:22:43

Title: Modified: Does your eye sight deteriorate further when squinting?
Post by: Karsten on 09/09/2009 20:22:43
Original question:

"Is it bad for your eyes to squint?"

I understand that squinting is a sign of already not great eye sight. I want to know if squinting damages you eye sight further. I do not want to know why people squint.
Title: Re: Modified: Does your eye sight deteriorate further when squinting?
Post by: RD on 09/09/2009 22:37:04
Squinting is a consequence of poor eyesight, not a cause.

Squinting is an attempt to compensate for a refractive error* by reducing the size of the pupil to increase the depth of field/focus.
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=23576.msg257599#msg257599

[*squinters need spectacles]
Title: Re: Modified: Does your eye sight deteriorate further when squinting?
Post by: AllenG on 10/09/2009 01:52:25
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.me.com%2Fawcg%2FiWeb%2FSpringwood%2FPhotos%25202_files%2FPhoto%2520on%25202009-09-09%2520at%252020.jpg&hash=65a7596574288277c045e1637ed360f7)
One can also use their fingers to make a pinhole aperture and bring things into focus looking through that.
Title: Re: Modified: Does your eye sight deteriorate further when squinting?
Post by: Nizzle on 10/09/2009 15:58:36
Quote from: AllenG on 10/09/2009 01:52:25
One can also use their fingers to make a pinhole aperture and bring things into focus looking through that.

Wow nice trick! I didn't knew that one before, but it works [:)]
Title: Re: Modified: Does your eye sight deteriorate further when squinting?
Post by: Karsten on 12/09/2009 13:52:18
OK, let's rephrase this:

Does your eyesight get any worse when you squint?

(I modified the headline to reflect this)
Title: Modified: Does your eye sight deteriorate further when squinting?
Post by: Nizzle on 14/09/2009 10:58:02
The only reason I know of (except genetic reasons) that might deteriorate your eye sight is that you focus on one specific distance for too long a time, for example a pc screen or book.

To avoid such deterioration, you should look around the room every 5-10 minutes when you're working on a pc all day or reading a lot of books.

I don't think squinting causes your vision to get worse.