Pinhole glasses are also known as eye exercise glasses or aerobic glasses. They are usually black plastic glasses with tiny holes in the otherwise opaque plastic pieces.

The modern and affordable alternative to prescription eyeglasses, pinhole glasses consist of precision-manufactured lightweight perforated plastic lenses, inset into standard metal or plastic spectacle frames. They are ideal for sufferers of refractive eye disorders, the elderly and computer users as the pinholes - accurately formed by laser technology - allow only direct and coherent light rays to pass through into the eye.

In a healthy eye, light rays are focused into a single point on the light sensitive retina at the back of the eyeball. Depending upon the type of refractive disorder endured, less healthy eyes focus light rays in front of or behind the retina, casting a 'blur circle' on the retina itself. The minute pinholes on the surface of the plastic lenses of your pinhole glasses effectively stop down the aperture of the eye's pupil, so pass a narrower beam of light through to the eye lens with a greater depth of field. The narrow beam casts a smaller blur circle on the retina, improving your vision.

The pinhole glasses or also known as eye exercise glasses have approximately 180 to 250 holes of about 1mm in diameter on each side. Multiple pinholes encourage the normal saccadic movements of the eye.

Looking through the pinholes takes some getting used to because the field of vision tends to get blocked by the plastic itself. The pinholes provide an infinite depth of focus so that even when the eye is not correctly focused, objects will appear as if in focus.

Blurred vision in the case of myopia and farsightedness is caused by the image focusing in front or behind the retina but not on it. This means there is a large blur circle on the retina of the eye, causing blur vision.

Light passing through the tiny holes forms a much smaller blur circle on the retina and hence the vision is sharper.

Wearing the pinhole glasses is claimed to re-teach the eyes to focus correctly. Once this is done, the vision problem would have been cured. One opinion is that the glasses exercise the eye muscles while another is that it somehow changes the way the brain and the eyes work.

My experience

Trying on the pinhole glasses, I found that vision is indeed sharper. There is a dramatic improvement of my myopia. For example, my usual acuity is so bad it’s off the eye chart.

However with the pinholes glasses, I could get about 20/60 vision in bright light. This phenomenon is well-understood and used by opticians in eye-testing to determine the best-correctable vision.

If a patient could not see until the 20/20 line even when wearing glasses, a pinhole apparatus is used. If he still could not see until 20/20, it could indicate eye disease and requires further examination.

Unfortunately, there are a few drawbacks to using pinholes. They must be used in places with bright illumination. The reason is that the opaque plastic has reduced much of the light reaching the eye. If used in dim places, I could hardly see at all. The restricted field of vision also means that they cannot be worn while driving.

What they claim

The instruction sheet I got with my glasses claim that permanent, total reversal of myopia can be achieved in about 6 months to 2 years, depending on the severity of the myopia and the amount of time spent wearing the glasses.

I have not heard of anyone improving their eyesight through the use of pinholes glasses alone but they are useful as transition glasses.

I used to believe that pinhole glasses are effective in treating my myopia. When I wear them, I could feel my eyes exercising.

However, after wearing them for long periods of time, my eyes would feel very tired. In addition, I have never experienced any permanent improvement in eyesight after using pinholes.

Popularity

Although the concept of pinhole glasses have been around for some time, it is only in recent years that pinhole glasses have risen in popularity. This is in part due to the more stylish and well-finished designs that are available on the market today, together with a greater acceptance of their usefulness by consumers and medical professionals alike.

It is now widely accepted that pinhole glasses do improve vision for those suffering with refractive error eye disorders, indeed even ophthalmologists use pinhole equipment to check eyes for refractive disorders during eye examinations. Moreover, evidence suggesting that concave or 'minus' eyeglass lenses actually accelerate acquired myopia is mounting. Many are turning to pinhole glasses as a prevention method and cure to this problem that has steadily increased over the last 50 years.

So can they work for you?

Customers who have used pinhole glasses report that they experience better clarity and resolution of vision when wearing them. Some have commented that they achieve almost perfect vision, and rank the pinhole glasses as equal in performance to their prescription eyeglasses. Providing you have no impairment or degeneration of your retina, you too will see more clearly, whether you suffer from myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, astigmatism, computer vision syndrome or cataracts and with a pair, pinhole glasses provide an affordable alternative to high-cost prescription eyeglasses that need to be replaced regularly as your prescription changes.

Based on my personal experience, I can’t say for sure that wearing pinhole glasses can improve eyesight. Despite claims that it has been scientifically proven to correct vision problems, they don’t really hold up to closer scrutiny.

Also, it is not suitable for indoor use as the illumination is too dim. Outdoor activities would be limited to relatively sedentary ones, like shopping (but one would have to contend with the inevitable stares).

Possible benefits of the pinhole glasses

But pinholes glasses are not totally useless, coming in useful in the following situations:

• Relax the visual system to the degree that strong (20/20) glasses are no longer straining the visual system, especially while doing near work. To that degree, they have some value.
• Due to the nature of cataract diffusing light into the eye, some people with cataracts have been able to see better with pinhole glasses than is possible with any prescription glasses. This can be quite positive for these natural eyesight improvement students.
• Improve vision clarity & resolution. For sufferers of refractive eye disorders, pinhole glasses will improve the clarity & resolution of your vision.
• Increases object brightness. Pinhole glasses are proven to increase apparent object brightness - ideal if you struggle with vision in low-light situations
• Good vision at all distances. Unlike bi-focal and tri-focal glasses that are designed to yield good vision at fixed distances, pinhole glasses allow you to see clearly at all distances, whether short, middle or long distance focus is required. Many users also find them less stressful on the eye than multi-focal or vari-focal lenses.
• One pair suits all situations. Whether you are reading a book or watching TV, one pair of pinhole glasses is all you'll ever need.
• Lightweight. All modern-day pinhole glasses are lightweight, weighing no more than traditional spectacles.
• Durable. No need to worry about scratches & marks on the lenses. The performance of pinhole glasses is not adversely affected by defects that would otherwise degrade visual acuity through eyeglasses.
• Atrractive Design. Pinhole glasses in the 21st Century are designed to be attractive and stylish.
• Affortable. It will save you thousands of dollars during the course of your lifetime not to mention your eyesight.

Disadvantages of the pinhole glasses

• Cannot be used under dim lighting as it blocks out a substantial amount of light. Don’t forget that light is also a nutrient for the mind and body. (But if they are used minimally, this is probably not a big deal. On the other hand, many people do not get enough sunshine.)
• Does not teach people correct vision habits which are crucial for eyesight improvement.
• Not legal for driving. For good reason too, as it blocks out the peripheral vision, which is critical for noticing the movement of vehicles to the rear of one’s car.
• Unnecessary for success. How many success stories using pinholes alone? Not many, I’m afraid.

Many other designs are available for pinhole glasses, for example pinholes with turtle-shell frames or fancy designs like dollar signs printed on the lenses. But the basic principle is the same.

The Truth About Pinhole Glasses:

1. Pinhole Glasses are 100% SAFE to use. They will not harm your eyes (as some eye doctors will try to tell you).

2. Pinhole Glasses are CHEAPER than prescription lenses, and they never have to be changed, as eyeglasses and contact lenses do.

3. Pinhole Glasses work for ANYONE , young or old, whether farsighted, nearsighted, or astigmatic. No eye exams or prescriptions are needed.

5. Pinhole Glasses will not restore your vision to normal, but they help to prevent further deterioration already caused by the wearing of prescription lenses.

6. Pinhole Glasses are NOT toys or gimmicks, as the optical industry would have you believe. A U.S. Patent (#1,959,915) was issued for them in 1934. They really do work.

7. Pinhole Glasses pose a threat to the multi-billion dollar-a-year optical industry, which has succeeded in keeping them from the U.S. public since they were patented in 1934.

Where they are available:

They can usually be found at some natural foods or health stores. However, they are restricted in certain countries. This is because they are touted as miracle cures for vision problems, and the authorities decided to take them in for testing first.

Pinhole glasses are widely used in Asia and US, for example, US, UK, Middle East, India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea and many more.

I can see the rationale for doing so: to protect innocent consumers who might otherwise pay for a product that might not work as advertised.

But pinholes are harmless enough.