We've all been there. You're trying to read something far away, and you can't quite make it out, so you squint. Or you're driving, and you can't clearly see the road signs, so you squint.

But in the back of your head, you always remember your mom telling you to stop squinting because it's not good for your eyesight—but what does that really mean? Does squinting actually damage your vision? 

Also, if you squint when you're trying to read something up close or see something far away, does that mean you need glasses? Well, here's what you need to know. 

Does Squinting Damage Your Eyes?

The simple answer is no; squinting does not damage your eyes. It's actually a perfectly natural reflex that our bodies do when they can't see something clearly. When our eyes can't focus on an object, we naturally contract the muscles around the eyes. Squinting our eyelids makes the opening of our eye or pupil smaller and improves our depth of focus. Squinting also limits the amount of excess light entering the eye, making images appear darker and more in focus.

So if squinting doesn't damage our vision, why did your mom always tell you to stop doing it? 

Well, for one thing, it can give you wrinkles! Constant squinting over time can lead to the formation of crow's feet and other lines around the eyes. Additionally, if you're squinting because you can't see something clearly, that probably means you need glasses or contact lenses. 

Wait...I Need Eyeglasses Because I'm Squinting?

There are a few things to consider when trying to determine if your squinting habits are normal or if they indicate a vision problem. First of all, how often are you squinting? Suppose you're only squinting occasionally, like when you're trying to read something far away or when you're in a dimly lit room. In that case, it's probably nothing to worry about. However, if you find yourself squinting on a fairly regular basis or when you're looking at things close up, that's a different story. 

In general, squinting is one of the classic telltale signs that you might need glasses, but it's not the only symptom. 

If you also find yourself frequently holding things close to your face to see them better, or if you experience headaches after spending long periods looking at screens or reading, those are also signs that you may need glasses. You may also notice more problems with your night driving and experience more glare from oncoming lights. You might even go so far as to avoid driving in low-light situations. 

Of course, the best way to know for sure if your squinting habits are normal or if they indicate a vision problem is to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with one of our optometrists. During a comprehensive eye exam, our optometrists can evaluate your overall eye health and determine whether you might benefit from corrective lenses. 

In some cases, squinting may indicate an underlying eye condition, such as dry eye syndrome, glaucoma or cataracts. As such, it's always best to consult an eye care professional before attributing it solely to needing vision correction. 

Conclusion.

If you find yourself squinting more often, it's probably time to schedule an appointment with one of our optometrists. While squinting itself is not necessarily a sign that you need glasses or contact lenses, it could indicate an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. Our optometrists will be able to conduct a comprehensive eye exam to determine whether or not you need corrective lenses or treatment for another condition.

Eye Care in Edmonton

If you’re finding yourself squinting to see clearly. The eye doctors at Helio Optometry can help determine the cause. We offer general adult eye exams and treatment for many eye conditions. Contact us today to book an appointment in our West Edmonton clinic on 149th street.