Eyesight changes...what to do?

[Dragonfly]

I had really bad cataracts that were fixed with surgery earlier this year. I opted for distance replacement lenses as that way I'd only need glasses for close-in work. Pre-surgery I had started to lose some of my near focus vision but post-surgery I'd lost maybe 18" of near-focus vision (my distance vision was truly awesome, though). All black target sights are mostly useless for me now, but I'm OK with bright three dot sights or especially fibre optic sights, but what works best for me are red dot sights. The dot on good-quality sights like an RMR or Aimpoint is focused at infinity so it doesn't matter how close it is to your eyes—either rifle or handgun work well. I wrote a thread here on my RMR-sighted FNX45 earlier this year here.

I will probably get a pair of prescription shooting glasses made that were ground to allow for good focus of the front sight (my Dad did and he loves them) but right now I like having the freedom to wear whatever sunglasses or safety glasses I want to wear.

 

[Coyote3855]

I have struggled with this issue since cataract surgery a year ago. I use 2.5 drug store classes for reading, but front sight is fuzzy with or without the glasses. Considered prescription glasses just for shooting. Found that 1.25 drug store ones work fairly well at the range. But I won't be wearing them if I ever need my handgun in a defensive situation, so I continue to practice with the fuzzy sights and use the cheaters only when sighting in or trying to impress small children.

 

[dirtman]

I plan on getting distance lenses and using +1 reading glasses on my right eye for steel sights... Will have my cataracts done within in the month.... From what i have read this seems to be about the best option....

good luck dirt

 

[RA40]

Still at this experimentation phase. Have had 5 different sets of contacts and this remains an illusive combination. She'd correct the near distance in the left eye but it doesn't drop off at front sight distance. The dominant right eye is fighting to pick it up but is still a bit fuzzy. Meanwhile the left eye is sharp so I'm visually fighting to align the sights for the right eye but the left sees it. The left eye cannot place the front sight to target because beyond arms distance it is very fuzzy.

She made a right eye contact adjustment today and within 20 minutes I felt the beginnings of eye strain headache coming on. By then I was out of her office and on the way home. In the office I could see at front sight distance. When it came to reading traffic signs and like it was like 20-40 range and that wasn't good. Will be back at the office after X-mas. Been very challenging-frustrating so far.

 

[MikeInOr]

Eye doc prescribed some updated contacts and they work really well for long distance and the left eye for reading. HOWEVER there is a dead spot-range that neither contact covers well and guess where that spot is? Went to the range and the front sight is a pretty fuzzy blob. Reading type glasses haven't worked well at that arms distance.

The left eye is almost in range but then I'd be shooting cross eye which has not been my usual hold-sight picture. For those that have had this situation what were your solutions?

The answer seems obvious! Time to buy a Full Auto Class III firearm! Spray and pray!

My eyes are also getting older. I love the reflex site I added to my 1911. Makes it a joy to shoot again. I just reconfigured an old 10/22 I have been holding onto with both a Bushnell Trophy 25mm Reddot sight and a Green laser. It is my new favorite toy for plinking.

For self defence I will use iron sites. I still practice a lot with iron sites but after an hour or so at the range my eyes will get strained and my vision blurrier... this is when the reddot sites come out.

 

[Franky50]

Have you tried medium distance glasses? Like the ones you would need to use a computer, read a music sheet from the piano or to see the canvas you are painting. Anything that works at your arm length distance should allow you to take aim. The diopter might be another option but some see it too ... 'orthopedic'.

 

[wally]

Still at this experimentation phase. Have had 5 different sets of contacts and this remains an illusive combination. She'd correct the near distance in the left eye but it doesn't drop off at front sight distance. The dominant right eye is fighting to pick it up but is still a bit fuzzy. Meanwhile the left eye is sharp so I'm visually fighting to align the sights for the right eye but the left sees it. The left eye cannot place the front sight to target because beyond arms distance it is very fuzzy.

She made a right eye contact adjustment today and within 20 minutes I felt the beginnings of eye strain headache coming on. By then I was out of her office and on the way home. In the office I could see at front sight distance. When it came to reading traffic signs and like it was like 20-40 range and that wasn't good. Will be back at the office after X-mas. Been very challenging-frustrating so far.

If I've interpreted your posts correctly you are trying mono-vision with contacts. It takes time for your brain to adapt, I'm going through my third adaptation, this one seems to be taking a bit longer than previous two did -- another negative effect of aging

I wouldn't give up on a setup that lets you focus on the front sight until you have given it two or three weeks to adapt, you should start getting more natural transitions between near and far and at your vision should start to be a bit better with both eyes open than with either eye closed at intermediate viewing distances. If this is not happening and/or the headaches don't start decreasing in frequency and intensity then odds are you are one of the some percentage of the population that can't adapt to mono-vision. Precisely why you want to try it with contacts before agreeing to the surgery.

I'm thrilled with my results shooting pistols, with both eyes open red dots or irons are working great for me now. Rifles I'm having not trouble seeing the sights but I'm having trouble picking a precise target -- I may need more practice as the near rear sight seems to be making it hard to blend my left eye distance vision. Scoped rifles are not problem other than I've had to crank the eyepiece from nearly all the way out to all the way in to compensate for the change in my right eye.

 

[doubleh]

Just a word of warning. Whatever solution you come up with, it's not going to last. It's going to be a recurring problem. What worked for me ten years ago is worthless today. Those eyes keep changing for the worse as you age.

 

[Intox]

As many others here have said, I had to have surgery when I developed trauma induced cataracts. The good side was I have suffered from astigmatism issues all my life, which meant my eye sight at distance was pure crap. But they replaced my lenses with high definition ones (thank God for a MD wife with GREAT insurance) which gave me 20/10 vision. The bad side, as others here have said, was it meant giving up my up close (reading) vision. But it hasn't affected my ability to use open sights to the degree others have said.

Granted the front sight post/bead is a tad blurry, it doesn't affect my aim. I would agree with others when they say talk to your optometrist and look for advice there.

 

[RA40]

She got me in Friday to try some different contacts out. Wish she just did one eye, she did both and I liked where the left eye was at. With two changes this becomes hard to establish a baseline. Not sure if it is better yet. Whit shooting I used to be able to function both eyes open, now I close the left eye and that is hard. Near similar to using the camera, I need to close the left eye because of the focal dominance at close range. The left eye-brain blocks close distance in the right eye due to the acuity change so I don't pick out the selected focus point. Pretty crazy, we'll get there.

 

[RA40]

Update: Settled on some contacts that allow me to do the daily routines. The unfortunate side is that shooting has become much more challenging with the combo. . Have been in transition to shoot cross eye using the left because it can focus on the front sight. That means I have to close the right eye to align the sights though. That's been pretty tough after all these years. The red dot is becoming a strong possibility.

 

[RETG]

One of the benefits of staying alive and growing old, memory fades, eye sight starts to go, arthritis steps in (can't remember which happens first) . If at a range shooting paper or metal, glasses or contacts to correct the vision can be used. However, if you are walking down the street and you need to pull a weapon in self-defense, will you have time to put your shooting glasses on or contacts into your eyes? If you will be wearing these corrections pieces at all times; no problem. However, most people do not, so you need to learn to shoot without them and that usually implies you need to point shoot.

I was taught point shooting right from the get go. So it is as natural to me as breathing when my eyesight started to fade around 45 and even today, after cataract surgery basically gave me the same vision I had before I hit 45, I still point shoot when out shooting.

Granted, if you have the eyesight and you have the reaction time, using the sights on the gun is the best for accuracy; however, point shooting on a close target works and can get the job done.

 

[SharpDog]

Eye doc prescribed some updated contacts and they work really well for long distance and the left eye for reading. HOWEVER there is a dead spot-range that neither contact covers well and guess where that spot is? Went to the range and the front sight is a pretty fuzzy blob. Reading type glasses haven't worked well at that arms distance.

The left eye is almost in range but then I'd be shooting cross eye which has not been my usual hold-sight picture. For those that have had this situation what were your solutions?

Well, I kind of have a lot of experience in eyesight changes since I have Type2 Diabetes and so my eyesight changes according to what I ate yesterday (being simplistic). I have found that 1. Getting good prescription shooting glasses (I use Ranger 68's) which I use for everyday wear helps a great deal. and 2. If you have a good eye doctor he will correct for many variables and not just the power magnification (things such as barrel distortion). So far I have stuck to bifocals but I'm thinking of trying out progressive lenses on my next go-around. Note that these glasses must come in 'digital progressives' which match any areal distortion you may have with your eyes.

Here's what I use. These folks offer custom prescription coatings and I got mine in their 'all in one' coating which is good from dim light to fairly bright:

https://www.sportrx.com/randolph-engineering-ranger-classic-68mm-cable-temple.html

https://www.sportrx.com/prebuilt-guide

Now, if you order from these folks, wait for a sale which they have over every major holiday (at least every 2 mos). and use your HSA health card if you have one (They will also help you claim it on your insurance).

 

[Kman314]

I have not been able to clearly see my front pistol sights for about 15 years now. I learned to shoot with both eyes open, focus on the target, and superimpose a blurry front sight on the target. It works very well. I may not win a target shooting competition, but I can put a reasonable group on target at 20 yards or so. Just recently started experimenting with an RMR. It's like cheating. That's going to go on my EDC.

 

[Mike OTDP]

Oops, dupe.

 

[Mike OTDP]

I just had cataract surgery (as in Monday) on my left eye. Distance monovision IOL. The doctor who did it said this would give the sharpest vision. I'm still getting used to the situation...my right eye also has a cataract, but the left eye was much worse - essentially useless. The right eye is 20/20, but the post-surgery results highlight how much light I'm losing to that cataract. On top of that, the right eye is highly myopic. Great for reading, lousy beyond arm's reach.

And yes, my carry piece is fitted with a RDS.