Basic Principle Behind Pinhole Glasses

By Author: Patricia Frazier
Total Articles: 25
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Pinhole glasses are eyeglasses with a series of holes in them that allow the wearer to receive less light directly to the retina which in turn increases your field of vision. They are made from solid materials such as plastic or metal and can be disguised to look like modern sunglasses.

The glasses have the effect of reducing the width of the bundle of oncoming rays from each viewed object. Normally whenever you glance at something the full opening of your pupil accepts light, but with pinhole glasses you are receiving a bent fraction of that amount of light. If you are troubled with conditions such as myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, or an astigmatism then pinhole glasses will increase your ability to see longer distances and see with a higher quality of detail.

The basic concept that the glasses work on is that no matter how wide open your pupils are only the central portion is receiving light. The pieces of plastic or metal in-between the holes makes ...
... sure to keep light from reaching the outer edges of your pupil which in turn increases your focus and vision.

An easy way to demonstrate the affect of the pinholes is to close one eye while making a fist and holding it up to your open eye. Now slowly open your fist so just enough light shines though for you to see. If you do this correctly your vision will be remarkably better than when a full amount of light is hitting your pupil.

The pinhole affect can trace its origins to native Alaska. The natives would wear glasses with narrow slits in them to block out the intense glare received from the sunshine that is reflected off the snow and ice. Anyone who lives in a snowy environment for long periods of time can develop snow blindness from the glare which can only be healed by avoiding light.

From native beginnings to modern eyewear pinhole glasses have long been used to increase the focus and vision of those people who utilize this light blocking technology.


Patricia Frazier found out about pinhole glasses through a friend. Her personal discovery and experiences on the benefits of this product led her to write blogs about pinhole glasses and other vision improvement techniques.