Shooting Glasses And Bells Palsy

[[email protected]]

As many of you know I came down with "Bells Palsy" Dec 1st. Due to my age
"Almost 70" and not getting any treatment for two weeks, my recovery has
been very slow. I very well may have this until next December. I am a National Competitor and love to shoot. It is my life next to my wife and daughter. I have been getting a little depressed as of late because I cannot
do what I once did. I have no control over my right eye. I cannot shut it.
I am a Competitor and NOT a quiter. I may give out sometimes but never
give up! I tried to shoot Sunday. Had to have my right eyed taped shut. By
the way, My left eye is my Master eye and the one I aim with and I shoot
right handed. With the eye tapped shut, I could see to shoot, but when I
went to load, I had a lot of trouble. NO depth perception with only one eye.
Couldn't find the hole in the barrel to pour the powder down. I couldn't find
my butt with both hands as they say.Well since I got around 60, I have had
to use a 1.5 diopter reading glasses to shoot so I could see the front sight
clear. I am far sighted. I have shot all my life with both eyes open, but ever
since I got around 65, I have had to close my right eye. Both eyes wanted
to see the front sight! Not Good. I came up with this, I put a piece of cardboard over the right lens. Since I can't shut my right eye anyway the
cardboard keeps my left eye on the front sight. The hole is there so when
I go to load, both eyes can see the pistol. I now have my depth perception
back. When I shoot, I do not see the hole. Problem solved until I can get
over this crap. This may help someone else. Here's what they look like.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Hang in There, I had Bells Palsy many years ago when I was 19 or 20 years old on my right side. They didn't know much about it back then, but I was given exercises to perform that worked so well that I can still wink my right eye (I'm a lefty) easier than my left even thought I never could wink it prior. Happily I eventually made a full recovery after about 3 or 4 months if I remember correctly. They tell me the chances of re-occurrence are pretty good so I'll keep your tip in mind.

 

[mykeal]

Phil,

You may already know that I'm monocular - that is, I can only use both eyes at the same time if I use a great deal of effort. For almost my entire life I've used only one eye for everything from using a microscope to looking at the horizon. I can easily switch from one eye to the other, and can even use both at the same time but not looking at the same object. When it comes to depth perception I have zero optical depth perception. However, I have learned to judge the distance to most objects through experience; the brain can be trained to ignore the conflicting messages from the eyes and use only one, and then make very accurate judgements about distance based on previous experience.

You can train your brain to ignore the 'bad' eye - in effect, to switch it off. It is not easy but it can be done. The question is whether it's a good idea given the Bell's prognosis. You might not want to have acquired monocular vision if the Bells' is resolved. Talk it over with your physician.

Oh, and by the way, your 'invention' is ingenious - much like some of the things the doctors had me use in an attempt to 'correct' my condition when it was first diagnosed some 60 years ago. Brought back some interesting memories.

 

[J-Bar]

I admire your perserverance.

Hang in there!!

Growing old ain't for sissies. I turn 68 next month...still wondering what happened.

 

[BCRider]

All the best for a fast and full recovery.

By the sounds of things I'm the junior in this thread so far at "only" 58 years of age. But I've hung out with lots of great older folks during my years of model airplane flying before getting into the shooting sports. I FULLY realize just how lucky I've been so far. But I also find I have a lot of empathy for folks that are still keen on living fully but that find themselves tackled heavily in the end zone.

 

[Busyhands94]

Great solution Phil! I'm glad that you figured out how to make some shooting glasses that will work for you!

~Levi

 

[Armored farmer]

I feel for you kwhi43. May 9th 1983 I was building a barbed wire fence when a fencing staple popped from the hedge post I was driving it into, and sunk into my left eye. A week in the hosp, 14 stitches, lots of meds, eye patches, eye drops,.....anyway, I made a full recovery and I hope you do too.
(I'm still going to try to take that $20 from you though)

 

[[email protected]]

More power to you on taking the 20. Got a good friend and shooting buddy
who lives in Carbondale, Mebby I ought to offer the challange to him. Do you
know JL H?

 

[Armored farmer]

More power to you on taking the 20. Got a good friend and shooting buddy
who lives in Carbondale, Mebby I ought to offer the challange to him. Do you
know JL H?

Sorry, JLH doesn't ring a bell. I probably don't know him unless he shoots ATA trap. I'm a good 150mi Northeast of Carbondale.
Your $20 is pretty safe from me btw.

 

[ontarget]

I hope I still have your gumption when I get there. I once heard someone say you haven't been beaten until you quit. Words I live by. Good luck to you my friend.

 

[[email protected]]

My old old friend JL Hargis from Carbondale. Now he would take my 20.00
and smile all the way. I beat him on a offhand rifle agg back in 1975. Not
too many people beat JL He's still one of the one's to beat at Friendship and
he has got to be in his 70's.

 

[mustanger]

Clever thinking kwi, lots of luck to you.

 

[messerist]

Good luck to you!