Poor Eyesight
- Thread starter Styx
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Starter52
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I had 20/160 vision before my PRK laser surgery in 2000.
Back then I would not consider shooting any firearm without my glasses on.
19 years later and my vision is 20/60. Not quite good enough to drive without glasses, but I could shoot easily enough if needed.
Back then I would not consider shooting any firearm without my glasses on.
19 years later and my vision is 20/60. Not quite good enough to drive without glasses, but I could shoot easily enough if needed.
Walt Sherrill
Member
Eye protection is important when shooting for fun, and if you need corrective support and DON'T wear contact, glasses make sense. If you do wear contacts, why not just wear some protective (safety) glasses. You don't really gain anything by having less-good vision when you shoot.
The other option is having some glasses set up so that they're bifocal or trifocal for shooting only. I had a pair I used for several years, due to cataracts, that let me see the front sight with my strong eye and the distant target with my other eye. (Those were single focal length in each lense, not bifocal.) I've now got a tri-focal set I sometimes use (or just use my regular bi-focals.) They all work pretty well. (I'll also probably have a second cataract dealt with in the coming year, which will mean new glasses, again.)
Note: I've been hit in the face by bullet scraps at indoor ranges (and in one case ended up bleeding from a hit on my cheek beneath the eye). It's possible that some of those scraps COULD have hit me in the eye. I wear glasses because of that type of risk.
The other option is having some glasses set up so that they're bifocal or trifocal for shooting only. I had a pair I used for several years, due to cataracts, that let me see the front sight with my strong eye and the distant target with my other eye. (Those were single focal length in each lense, not bifocal.) I've now got a tri-focal set I sometimes use (or just use my regular bi-focals.) They all work pretty well. (I'll also probably have a second cataract dealt with in the coming year, which will mean new glasses, again.)
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I usually will practice shooting from the hip at close range targets with my carry guns. I figure I should be able to draw and shoot a target within 5 yards of me without a site picture. But even when doing so I do so with my glasses on. It probably would be a good idea to try this without my glasses on. My site isn't as bad as many have to contend with but it certainly isn't what it used to be and trying to use sites without glasses at anything over a few yards isn't very practical.
A peep site on a rifle does help a lot. The round hole actually focuses the front site (like a pinhole camera). The closer the peep site is to my eye the better it works... as in a flip up peep site mounted behind the action on a lever action rifle.
A peep site on a rifle does help a lot. The round hole actually focuses the front site (like a pinhole camera). The closer the peep site is to my eye the better it works... as in a flip up peep site mounted behind the action on a lever action rifle.
This is the honest to God truth !!!!
One year ago my son built a fantastic super STEEL catch for handgun rounds, to help with his
lead work for bullet making.
Now get this picture:
WE are actually INSIDE MY HUGE BARN, of all things to relate to, so you may SEE where this is going.
He just finished his wielding job & with great effort he set it on the bench INSIDE the barn, the side where we test
lots of handgun rounds where there is usually a pile of old telephone pole pieces to shoot into. Well he has moved the bench
to where only there is only the new STEEL catcher to do the job.
We have told him to get glasses & he still won't listen.
He pulls out his BOND ARMS 38 spl & [ all safety precautions are in place ] from 5 feet away !!! he fires.
To this day we have NEVER found where the bullet went! We even cleared the weapon & looked to
make sure it did exit, no signs it ever touched the steel anywhere, the first 5 feet of the barn wall is cinderblock & no marks,
the floor is clean & so is the first ceiling as well as the 2 four wheelers on either side of it, even looked at the wall behind us.
To this day I can honestly say to him, he missed a BARN while standing inside it.
One year ago my son built a fantastic super STEEL catch for handgun rounds, to help with his
lead work for bullet making.
Now get this picture:
WE are actually INSIDE MY HUGE BARN, of all things to relate to, so you may SEE where this is going.
He just finished his wielding job & with great effort he set it on the bench INSIDE the barn, the side where we test
lots of handgun rounds where there is usually a pile of old telephone pole pieces to shoot into. Well he has moved the bench
to where only there is only the new STEEL catcher to do the job.
We have told him to get glasses & he still won't listen.
He pulls out his BOND ARMS 38 spl & [ all safety precautions are in place ] from 5 feet away !!! he fires.
To this day we have NEVER found where the bullet went! We even cleared the weapon & looked to
make sure it did exit, no signs it ever touched the steel anywhere, the first 5 feet of the barn wall is cinderblock & no marks,
the floor is clean & so is the first ceiling as well as the 2 four wheelers on either side of it, even looked at the wall behind us.
To this day I can honestly say to him, he missed a BARN while standing inside it.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Benp
Member
Funny you brought this up. I’ve recently been thinking about this.
I am blind as a bat without corrective lenses.
So I’ve been meaning to do some shooting with no glasses on at self defense ranges.
I “think” it’s doable for me. Just haven’t tried it yet.
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Styx
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I can see okay on a bright sunny day, but I at dawn, night, on rainy days, and at distances, I everything is a blur. I can tell something's there, but can't see the details. Anyway, I've been to the range before, and forgot my glasses. That's why this question came up. My shots were everywhere on the paper Target at 7 yards. I couldn't even see where my shots were hitting on the paper, so I didn't even know how I was doing until I brought the target back. Got me thinking about what I'd do if my glasses were knocked off, broken, or forgotten during an altercation.
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BlueHeelerFl
Member
I'll have to try this one day since my eyesight is so bad
Thibaut
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My range glasses are made to fit over other glasses; need be. As for losing them in an altercation, I suspect you would see like Superman (as opposed to glasses-wearing Clark Kent). I've never really thought on that. Interesting.
Walt Sherrill
Member
styx said:
If your attacker or opponent is close enough to displace your glasses, seeing your sights is likely NOT going to be an issue. Weapon retention might be a bigger issue.
Mike OTDP
Member
I've had cataract surgery, so I see quite well...at distance. Reading glasses are a must for anything close up. For ordinary shooting, this isn't a problem, I use a dedicated set of prescription shooting glasses with the lens set up to put the focus on the front sight. For defensive work...red dot sights came along at just the right time.
robhof
Member
robhof
Member
I practice with lasers, I have laser grips on my carry guns, in low light you can see the red dot easily with poor eyesight, enough practice, with point and shoot and you get muscle memory, if I've kept up my practice I can easily make a can dance without my glasses.
JR24
Member
I'm the other way, colorblind and lasers get lost easily on certain backgrounds, especially clothing at distances further than like 10 feet.
A red dot, on the other hand, works much better for my eyes, glasses or no
JTHunter
Member
Having worn glasses since the first grade, I have never been able see any sights on my guns without my glasses. I can't even read the newspaper unless it is within 6 inches without my glasses. About 10 years ago, they put me in bifocals but only with the little "D-top" on the bottom. The burets I was working with in a QC lab were over my head at the top of the column and I had to take my glasses off to read it. Lab manager didn't like it but the company wouldn't pay for special lenses with the bifocal part at the top. Two years later, I went back to single vision lenses and just pull my glasses off to read the fine print.
I don't focus on the iron sights but the target and do the best I can. Only one lever-action rifle, my AK, and my shotguns use sights. All the rest are scoped. No problems there.
I don't focus on the iron sights but the target and do the best I can. Only one lever-action rifle, my AK, and my shotguns use sights. All the rest are scoped. No problems there.
gwpercle
Member
No... I can't see anything without my glasses. Blind in the right eye , detached retina in the left eye , no lens in left eye and glaucoma has damaged optic nerve and I have macular degeneration .
If I can't find my glasses when I wake up I have to get my wife to find them . Big thick tri-focals .
No telling what would get shot if I didn't have my glasses on .
Blind is no way to go into a gunfight ...you got to have some idea of what the target is .
Gary
If I can't find my glasses when I wake up I have to get my wife to find them . Big thick tri-focals .
No telling what would get shot if I didn't have my glasses on .
Blind is no way to go into a gunfight ...you got to have some idea of what the target is .
Gary
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Styx
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Wife not home, no glasses, what would you do?
robhof
Member
I would suggest a green laser, very bright, even a line from laser to target, shoot fast or perp will react!
Jack Ryan
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I can' see the stars in the sky any more, since about the last week I guess.
Headed to the eye doc in a week but I got a feeling he is going to talk about cataract problems.
TikkaShooter
Member
IMO, he will bring the subject up.
A few years ago, I had lens replacement surgery. According to my eye doctor after the surgery, I'm in the less than 3% or my vision is 20/15 before the operation my vision was 20/40 and I couldn't shoot worth a hoot.
I wear +2.5 glasses to read; OTOH, I need a magnifying glass to read real small print. Example the small print on instructions.
IMO, getting one eye with the +2.5 lens would have been a major disappoint as far as I'm concerned.
Thibaut
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I'm still learning to shoot properly and hopefully, well. I've so far stayed away from lasers but am curious. Maybe down the road.
Jack Ryan
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Talked the wife in to walking down to the bridge with me about a half hour ago, just to listen for coyotes. I'm looking up in the air and every which way, feeling dejected and sorry for my self, then she says "Man it is cloudy tonight, there isn't a single star in the sky..." Meh, stars are over rated any way.
Thibaut
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It is troublesome, for sure, but they do wonderful work with the eyes these days. Best of luck to you.- Status
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