A contact for shooting?

[TexasChick]

This might get a better response under a new thread;http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4350381

My first firearms class is scheduled for later this month.
I normally do not wear glasses, but I've noticed vision changes recently.

My weak eye can see distance perfect, just a little blurry close up. Vision is perfect close up with my strong eye, but blurred for distances. My eye's works well together for every day vision. They work similar to bi-focals, so I don't needed correction for everyday functioning.

I'm not so sure about shooting. "...Strong eye can see close up perfect, but blurred at distances." ...should I consider getting glasses or a strong eye contact for taking the class?
Or is this something I should be concern with?
Thanks

 

[NavyLCDR]

I am sort of the same way. I am getting PRK in a couple of months and it has been discussed about doing mono-vision where one eye is set up for distance and one for up close. I have the same problem, the eye I normally find myself using for distance is left, but I am right handed and use my right eye for shooting rifles, so I am going with the standard PRK procedure and if I need reading glasses later, oh well.

You are probably going to be wearing safety glasses anyway? Why not get corrective lens safety glasses that will correct your vision as you need for shooting? It really doesn't matter about strong eye/weak eye vision as much as is your strong eye the same as you would aim with?

Personally, I would go with corrective safety glasses - that's what I do. Sounds like you're even in a better situation than myself right now, I normally wear contacts, but I shift to glasses when I shoot so I wear them to/from the range.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

Keep in mind that you will want to be able to focus on the front sight, NOT the target and plan accordingly. I use computer distance single focus glasses which bring the front sight on handguns into focus.

If your strong eye is good for the front sight and your off eye good for target you are good to go.

 

[WayneConrad]

You'll do great. Your strong eye will focus on the front sight, where it belongs. Your weak eye will be able to see the target. Keep both eyes open, focus on the front sight, you'll do great!

DO wear some kind of protective goggles.

PS: I think I read that competitive shooters get special glasses made that do to their eyes what your eyes have done to themselves!

 

[primlantah]

what do yall say if its reversed... right eye close up is a little fuzzy while sharp at a distance. left eye is the opposite. right handed.

 

[WayneConrad]

primlantah, You need to keep your wrist straight when shooting pistol and yet still keep your dominant eye aligned with the sights. The best way I've found to do this is to rotate the pistol towards your dominant eye. You won't have to rotate it a lot--maybe 10 or 15 degrees. It will look a little funny. Some people may think you are trying to be "gangsta." Ignore them. Your wrist will be straight and your cross-dominant eyes will be happy.

Alternatively, you can learn to shoot left-handed.

PS: I'm no pistol expert. Just a cross-dominant guy who figured this out on my own. There may be better advice out there. Probably is.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Cross eye dominant as well. It doesn't really matter when shooting pistols. Use the eye that works the best for you!

 

[nplant]

Optical correction is fine for getting a license, but once you start training to fight, you will fight the way you train. So, get something to help you ace your test, then consider what will happen when you're not wearing glasses or contacts. Try training that way, so you're not fooling yourself into a false sense of security.

 

[primlantah]

I dont think i would call myself cross dominant because i have a natural tendency to use my right eye when using just one eye... just far sighted in it but not in the left. would the technique described above still apply for this?

 

[primlantah]

double post

 

[TheReeves]

Just to note, I normally always wear contacts, but recently I had an eye infection in my dominant eye and had to wear glasses for a month. During that month, I took a trip to the range. I blame my glasses, but I couldn't hit anything that day, using any of the five guns I normally shoot. A few weeks later I was able to wear contacts again, and my range trip proved I could still shoot. My point is, maybe you shouldn't change what you are used to so close to your class time.

 

[primlantah]

BTW TexasChick, i see your in Austin from your linked thread in the OP. If you find a shootist of an optometrist please let me know... my GF and i would both appreciate it.