Central vision improvement

[russell903]

Pin hole glasses are now being advertised as a way to improve ability to see things in the center of ones' eyes.  Same principle as when the optometrist uses pinhole part of the plastic acuity frame.  I have tried a test where looking thru a smaller opening does improve clarity of the object.  Are there any downsides to using these pin hole glasses?  Damage to the eyes?  Or, can they help improve central vision, since they do help improve the image?  Of course, they would only be used for reading or watching tv, but not driving or other tasks.  Please advise your opinion, Doctor.

[russell903]

the pinhole glasses I've seen are not detectable from the outside, but can be seen thru.  they are supposed to help people with some blurring or floaters to see a little clearer.  I certainly can afford regular glasses, but the floater problems along with slight glaucoma and ARMD dry, make it difficult to be fitted.  When fitted, the one weak eye does not seem to work well with the good eye.  contrary to so many Ophtho people's opinion, my brain doesn't just select the best view, it blends the two and it's not pretty.  so the pinhole idea looked to help me with my every day tasks, including reading, watching TV, and close up work.  Now an absolute nightmare unless I wear sunglasses in the house and outside, or wear a patch over the bad eye.  You probably are aware, that the pinhole idea is actually a series of pinholes arranged across the central viewing area of the glasses.  Is the pinhole idea harmful to my eye?    

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

If you need glasses and can't afford them and want to use 'pinhole' glasses you will not hurt your eye but you sure will look weird. The pinhole just screens quickly for glasses. If you see better through the pinhole glasses will help vision if it doesn't help reduced vision then it may be due to disease.

The attorney generals of several states have prosecuted the companies that were advertising that these make the eyes healthier and can make the need for glasses go away.

JCH III MD