AR Optics for Guys with Astigmatism

[Floppy_D]

Here's the ordeal, I'm sure I'm not the only one here:


I'm left eye dominant and right handed. My left eye vision is sharp. My right eye has a pretty good astigmatism. I shoot pistol right handed and left eyed, because I lose the target in a cloud of fuzz with my right eye.

If you shoot with an astigmatism, what optics, if any, do you prefer? I'd prefer a non-magnified reticle, if possible. If I use a red dot, it spreads pretty wide (exception, when I co-witness thorugh the rear sight, it helps).

Is a chevron or reticle easier to use than a red-dot? Should I just stick to irons?

Let's assume, for the purposes of this discussion, that I'm not willing to wear prescription glasses or contacts, I don't want magnification (as this is a sub 100 yd rifle shot from a standing position) and I'm not willing to learn to shoot rifle left handed.

Thanks for the input!

 

[abusyman]

Not sure what your price range is or quite how bad the eyes are, but I shoot with mild astigmatism corrected (glasses) and uncorrected (contacts).

I can shoot through an EOTech HWS (516/552/553 or whatever) with the circle/dot on an AR15 pretty well.

Give one a try at a shop (ask them to mount it on a dummy, or bring in your AR. They might let you try one mounted.)

Also, shooting with a small aperture style sight might work for you. I can see clearly through a small hole (make one with your hand or a piece of paper) where it is completely fuzzy otherwise.

 

[RyanM]

No glasses or contacts... how about a monocle, then? I say, old bean!

I have really bad astigmatism in both eyes, but my vision is about 20/1500 or so uncorrected, so I obviously wear glasses and can't offer any advice. The type of sights or reticle that works best may also depend on the type of astigmatism, horizontal or vertical. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Astigmatism_text_blur.png

 

[Floppy_D]

I guess the obvious answer is to try some stuff. Sounds like a trip to the gun store is in order.

 

[Still Too Many Choices!?]

exact same situation here, I use the Eotech with beautiful results. I agree the co-witness through the rear sight helps...

 

[briansmithwins]

Get some glasses or contacts that correct your stig.

Anything else is just masking the real problem. Co-witnessing helps because the small aperture makes the effective focus better, hiding the effects of astigmatism. You lose light, which makes see the target harder, especially in anything other than bright sunlight.

Why the aperture sight helps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aperture

BSW

 

[Brandon]

I have the same problem. I use one of these on my 30-06 and about to set up my ar with one. I leave it set on low power.

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...g=657***11392***11396***15273***&brandId=1648

 

[badbadtz560]

ya I hear ya. My bad eyesight is almost completely astigmatism. I suggest not getting a light based red dot actually. If you can get something that doesn't reflect light, it'd work out great. For example... Trijicons work great but are out of my price range and I'm not sure if they make a non-magnified one.

Then there's the burris ar-332 (or was it 233)?, which isn't out yet. I'm sure there are a number of other brands that make red dots that don't require batteries.. maybe a leupold prism or something?

I believe whatever reticle you get, the astigmatism is going to make those lights look fuzzy and starry... so I'd stay away from the ones that require batteries.

 

[NC-Mike]

Same problem. I bought an EOTech 512 and a 3x magnifier and it was no good. The dot looked like a peanut.


Try out a Millet DMS. They are reasonable, kinda work just like a holo with a mag and the dot doesn't break up.

 

[Samuraigg]

I have astigmatism corrected with toric contact lenses, no problems here using my Eotech. Without the lenses in the reticle is just a mass of fuzz.

 

[13Bravo]

I'm in the same boat, right handed with a right eye stigma whatever. Also in the military, and have had a chance to use several different sights. Perhaps my tigma whatever is not as bad as yours, but I found the reddots became too big for longer ranges, the eotech not so bad for some reason. I think the eotech dot is 1moa as compared to maybe a 4moa on most reddots. My favorite though is the ACOG. I finished 1st out of 40 with it at LRM (long range marksmanship), out to 600 meters with an m4. I've got the 3X acog at home on an armalite, but a 4X on my service weapon. The 4X is worth the couple of extra hundred bucks, IMO, if you plan on shooting way out there, but the 3X is by no means a slouch either. I don't wear glasses either, I just deal with it.