Holes in clear lenses demonstrate a pinhole effect

P. Zacharia and D. Miller
Ophthalmology Unit, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA 02215.

This study describes a new variant of the pinhole principle. Holes drilled in clear plastic lenses held in combination with a blurring lens can overcome the blurring effect much as a traditional pinhole. Specifically, this study shows how holes of different diameter placed in lenses of different spherical power can improve visual acuity that has been degraded by a series of blurring spherical lenses. In general, the hole in the clear lens improves visual acuity for progressively stronger blurring lenses.