An experiment with spectacles

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P95Carry

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My old eyes have one heck of a time with iron sights - handguns worst of course. Quite some time ago I discovered that if I wore my computer glasses (focal length approx eye to outstretched hand) then sights became sharp again - but everything else, of course, pretty darned blurry!!

I had thought of getting ''special'' shooting glasses but costs seem pretty steep - to which then add lens costs etc.

Yesterday I called by the WalMart eye test section and got them to dig out my prescriptions from 18 months ago. Requested a repeat of my present day to day glasses (progressives, with lower part suited to close work) but PLUS .... top quarter inch or so progressive to my computer glasses prescrip'. I find that it is rare (unless shooting) that I use that top portion at all - and yet once shooting, that is exact area I am using.

So - we will see what happens. Should be able to collect inside coupla weeks - total cost with frames $200. I'll post again when I have evaluated these.
 
"day to day glasses (progressives, with lower part suited to close work) but PLUS .... top quarter inch or so progressive to my computer glasses prescrip'."

HOLY BAT DOODOO !!!!!

THEY CAN DO THIS?

I've been contemplating eye surgery ($4800...I have bad eyes) since it's time to replace my $500 progressives, but I think I'd prefer to stick with progressives if they can fiddle with the top 1/4". Hot dog, more money for Titanium frames, sunglasses and guns. Heck, I'm getting Titanium sunglasses, too if this works out.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

John
 
Great idea. I've been meaning to get computer glasses but didn't get a round tuit yet. I did buy some polarized Solar Shields at WalMart the other day-they fit over my progressive glasses and I look like a cool old coot who should be driving a motorhome. :cool:

Now Chris, if ya really want to look good, get the frames without temples and affix the glasses to your nose with a pin; piercings are in and you'll look real baaaad riding your motorcycle. :p
 
John - well, they said can do - so I wait and hope. All paid for so hope no disappointment. You will of course be first hear how they shape up when I get 'em ...... just hope Murphy does not screw it up for me. :) They will (should) also mean that even without my puter glases, I can still be comfortable at a monitor.

Brad ''spectacles'' - it's the Brit still showin" .. LOL. :p

Riley - piercings?? Naw - don't think so!! I manage to look sufficiently bada$$ according to Mrs P95 anyways when on the bike! :D
 
My "spectacles", back when I had to wear them, were a quarter inch thick polycarbonate...

I figured any incoming fire would bounce right off. ;)

Without them I could not see the sights on any firearm at any distance.

I understand the surgical options are less than perfect, but after LASIK life is so much easier.

But if your eyes aren't that bad, and Walmart can make something that fits your needs, then you are doing all right.
 
Another option for old eyes, is double D lenses which are basically glasses with bi-focal's ground in both the upper and lower portion of the lens. The lower bi-focal would be your reading prescription and the upper can be weaker, up to a full power less. Almost like a tri-focal with the mid range power located in the top part of the lens instead of being stacked directly on top of the lower bi-focal. Double D's are made primarily for electricians and others who have to work overhead.

TK
 
T. Kanaley - I did once use ''D'' bi-focals but once I changed over to progressives, have found those suit me best of all. Don't like the sharp transition - cut-off of the ''D''.

The plan with these new and somewhat experimental ones is - to keep what I have - which is lower portion ground for close work - and center of course distance... but then the addition of the third area, again as progressive for that top 1/4 inch or so. That part is never really used - until I lower my head in a shooting stance. So I am hoping it will do what I want and help with the sight picture.

As I said earlier - we'll see! Could all be a disaster but in theory - I anticipate it with some excitement. :)
 
Update -

I collected the glasses Friday but even then felt they were not done right. In fairness, brought 'em back to try out. Useless!! They had in fact not done what I asked!!!

Took them back today and spent quite a while getting things sorted out. I now hope a redo will be what I want. Probably means glass, as only way to get my 4 diopter top bits done right. We'll see. I am hopefull.
 
At 60 +

Did right eye Lasik and do monovision, no glasses required. But to shoot had to do a right eye +1.25 and plano left. This allows front sight visible, target also rt eye visible. In an emergency can use left eye w/o any correction for sights. Lasik is the best thing since safety pins and shirt pockets. Have good night vision (Rt eye 20/20) and read w/ left ( Myopic). If a candidate for Lasik, go for it. They told me that didn't do over 60's, I told them I'm a young 60 and go for it. Worked out great, no more glasses, except for shooting.
 
Thought of Lasik Harlie but - not really ideal candidate.

I have horrendous axial correction ... left more than right - plus hypermetropia now.

I have worn eyeglasses all my adult life and am used to them - plus they are there by default when shooting!

My replacement set will hopefully feel just like my current daily wear - but with the difference that when I drop my head down a bit - I see thru the 4 diopter bit - that should make my 'puter screen clear (as my separate 'puter glasses do now) - as well as, get those darned sights sharpened up a bit.
 
Man, hearin' all this stuff about people's eyes getting worse is starting to make me paranoid. I'm 17, is there anything I can start doing that'll help keep my eyes strong longer?

~Slam_Fire
 
Slam - don't get too paranoid!!!! Of course - shoot using eye protection and also, whilst I have no regime to quote, there are those who promote eye excercizes as a means of maintaining eye health and also even sometimes achieving improvments if not 20/20.

Beyond a certain point tho - as we age - so of course do the eyes and focal length can change as well as the ability to accomodate - the lens just gets ''stiffer''. Make the very best of all your youthful years - and be kind to your eyes - it'll be a long time yet before you quote the ''tired eyes'' deal! :)

I enjoyed a huge span of years with very adequate sight, even wearing glasses ........ and can look back on a lot of shooting, with pleasure. These days I still enjoy but have to find ''tricks'' to compensate.
 
P95Carry-I am an Optician(make and sell eyewear). Question for you. Did you ask them for progressives with your full reading power at the bottom and your calculated "computer" rx at the top, or distance portion? Or did you ask them for reading at bottom, distance as usual, and a very top portion for "computer"? If so....don't hold your breath. Impossiible! Mathmatically would not work. Sorry to hear of your problems. Bear in mind that in Pennsylvania, there is no requirment to consider yourself an Optician. Anyone on this board can call themselves "Optician" in Pennsylvania. No license, no formal training, no continuing education, no apprenticship, etc. Needless to say, Walmart is probably not employing the cream of the crop, best Optician, with the knowledge and experience to first understand what the patient wants, and second be able to know if they can deliver said want. Glasses are a CUSTOM made product. They are not a bag of Doritos, a box of 12 guage shotgun shells, lightbulb, etc.

Sorry for the long rant. Let me know if I can help.

Mr. Tettnanger
 
I wear shooting glasses with the entire right lens ground to an intermediate Rx so as to focus on the front sight. The left lens is my regular myopic distance Rx; kind of a monovision setup. It only takes me a few minutes to get used to them at the range, even less time to get back used to my progressive bifocal street glasses.

I got mine from Lehman Optical in Arizona, but Decot will make up similar glasses and other combinations to suit shooters' needs. Hansen Eagle Eye makes shooting glasses with bifocal segments placed for normal sight pictures. If your local optometrist is helpful you can get it done there, of course.
 
Mr. Tettnanger - many thx for posting.
Impossiible! Mathmatically would not work.
Click to expand...
Oh dear - so I still may not manage this, and yes, was trying to achieve the second option you mention. One of the eye docs did give some input and seemed to think there was one way to get there - involving a bit of compromize. So I guess we'll see when remade ones come thru.

Could be it'll all have been a waste of time and cash. Maybe in the end, I may have to sacrifice the lower reading part of lens ... and go for something like an inverted version deal. IOW - have the puter script at upper part and just distance below - something they do apparently for electricians. And forget the reading part.

I'll post feedback in a week or so when new ones appear.

Jim, thx too for your info.
 
prescription got just strong enough

I've been wearing spectacles about 30 years - age 70 now. I am far sighted (at age 40 just needed reading glasses). Now I have to wear bifocals. I have mild astigmatism but training glasses when I was young enabled me to stop using them and go completely without from age 10 to about 40 something, and still score 20/20. My latest prescription has become just strong enough to focus again on the front sight. And yes, I noticed prior to that point that my computer glasses ALMOST would focus the front sight. Finally, the point of my rant: seeing that front sight again doesn't make you shoot like when you were 20! My left-right is pretty good but elevation changes day to day, according to my eyes, I guess? I just can't snug that front sight tightly/consistently against the bull anymore. Anybody with normal vision will shoot high with my pistol.

Lo-o-ng sight radius of my new Russian air pistol makes its front sight clearer than my Ruger MkII 6 7/8". Doesn't take much added length to make that sight clearer.
Earl
 
Hi Booger9 - well I have already proved that using my puter script is no wonder treatment! I put those on for one stage of IDPA other day and - could hardly say I shot much better!! :p

Mr. Tettnanger - BTW - I forgot to say - the way round this seems to be - having them use double D's for top sections - but again - I shall wait to see what materializes!! :)
 
Chris,
..after our email exchange on this subject...

Just a thought mind you....

Take the sights off your guns. ;)

Hey I was taught to shoot without sights .... :D

I went out and shot a 9x23 "in the white", and a Model 29 without the sights...I can still do this...

I'm still good for "minute of soda can" .... :cool: Hell no I didn't try shooting another soda can at 40 steps with the 29 ...one has to know when to walk away ...take the "oohs and aahs" ...and keep mouth shut :D
 
You might ask your optometrist if there are any new developments that might help your condition.
 
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