Vision and Shooting

[duns]

Maybe the problem is the bifocals. I've worn glasses for over 45 years, and I didn't have any trouble until I tried shooting my silhouette pistol in the Creedmore position while wearing bifocals (which means I was looking through the bottom portion of my glasses while aiming). A switch to single vision glasses fixed that.

That might be my problem and potentially my solution. I will arrange an appointment with my optician.

PS I don't want to wear special glasses for the range. Whatever I use should become my normal wear so that I can defend myself at a second's notice. I don't mind switching to bifocals when I get to work and sit in front of my computer screen.

 

[thorazine]

What experiences have you all had?

I usually keep my eyes closed at all times while shooting.

 

[Laf'n'Larry]

Problem with Red Dot

I was thinking along the same lines that Ironsights suggested and picked up a cheapo red dot at Cabelas today. When I got it home I found that I see two dots unless I squint really, really hard. Any ideas? Is it just time for new glasses?

Also, can anyone explain "shooting glasses"? I've heard the term all my life, but I've never known exactly what makes shooting glasses different from regular glasses.

Thanks.
Lars

 

[russ69]

...So it's not really the case that you have "no problem" if you can see the front sight clearly. You have to have some sort of picture (blurry is OK, but a complete smudge isn't) of the target and the rear sight, too...

Place the front sight in the middle of the big blurry blob, as long as your sights are aligned you'll hit the target, you really don't have to have the sharpest target image. I guess there is a point where you don't see the gray blob but your vision would be extremely poor at that point (I'm thinking legally blind).

Thanx, Russ

P.S. Use a center hold rather than a 6 o'clock hold.

 

[Nancy Kuker]

Monovision and shooting

I am a new shooter. I've had lasix and read with my left eye, distance with my right. Am right handed and right eye dominant. Do I try to keep both eyes open or shut my left when I shoot? What should I try to focus on?
Thanks for your help.

 

[teetertotter]

Nancy, It is a matter of perference and work on both and see what is the best fit for you.

 

[sc1911cwp]

Just a note from an RN. If your eyes are giving you some difficulty, it is better to have a professional rule out any change to your vision related to your health BEFORE any other cause. The symptoms you suffer from may be caused by something the local GUNSMITH is not educated in. Rule that out first before taking the advice of anyone.

 

[teetertotter]

Follow-up to past post. Based on more refined shooting/lighting conditions and the fact I wanted to rid the bifocal lense, my new prescription is just for distance with light blue tent lense. The light blue tint does bring out the BLACK target against white background. I can still document my scores w/o having bifocal portion lense. Happy he determined the tint needed.
Next, when we move outdoor next month, I am supposed to have the same effect with a black target against light color backgrounds. For your information, my shooting glasses are small oval shaped, wide enough so I don't see the frame hinge at the corner when looking through the scope with both eyes open. I'm going to like these new lenses. Price - $160.00 for new lenses using same Silhoutte wire rim frame. My optrometrist knows what exact tint requirements are required after he has all the facts. I am also under a roof cover when shooting outdoors, presenting low light conditions.
I am pretty happy.

 

[jiminhobesound]

Shooting problems with eye prolems

I had have a cataract removed from my dominant eye when I was 54. The implant is focused at 27 inches. I tried shooting with my astigmatic left eye, with corrective glasses, and still had problems. So I limit my target shooting to handguns at relatively close ranges shooting with both eyes open.

 

[teetertotter]

I had have a cataract removed from my dominant eye when I was 54. The implant is focused at 27 inches. I tried shooting with my astigmatic left eye, with corrective glasses, and still had problems. So I limit my target shooting to handguns at relatively close ranges shooting with both eyes open.

I have been very fortunate with torn retina in right eye perfectly repaired with lazer surgery 8 years ago. I have the makings of a cataract in the same eye, but been a level 3 for 8 years or so. I am left eye dominate with 900 with right eye at 400, so extremely nearsighted. I also shoot left handed. My S&W 22a pistol is also scoped with a Nikon Buckmaster 4-14, BDC, and good out to max 77 meters for metalicl silhouette league.
Winter indoor practice paper is at 50 feet and still would not be without scope vs iron sight class league. My eye sight has always been most important and have checked every year due to family history.

 

[revjen45]

As one ages the ability to focus up close deteriorates, thus losing the ability to focus on the front sight. Optx 20/20 stick-on bifocals work well for me. It is a plastic lens that you wet and place on the glasses you are wearing. When it dries (not too long) you have correction at the right place on your shooting (or regular) glasses. To remove, a couple of drops of water releases the stick-on. This is not spam - I have no fiduciary interest in the product, and I do not play an ophthalmologist on TV.

 

[Caitlin]

Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.h
I am happy to continue answering any other questions you guys have about myself or presbyopia.
-Steve

how about starting with these?

Quote:
Also, why did the Zoom Focus Eyewear LLC/Trufocus people change the name of their product to Superfocus in October 2010?

Is there any input from any professional groups of ophthalmologists or optometrists that endorse the use of this gadget eyewear? Perhaps most important, have any eye care professionals -- ones that don't hesitate to identify their specific field -- signed off on this eyewear as being truly harmless?

Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.h
as I mentioned earlier, I am an eye care professional

Also it looks like your training is in Mechanical Engineering, did I miss the medical training?

Hi All,

Full disclosure: I am a shooter and I work with Superfocus. I am also one of the moderators of http://shoot.superfocus.com, the online community for shooters who are overcoming presbyopia.

I appreciate the great discussion here about vision needs and shooting, and I would like to present some facts about Superfocus and answer some of the questions posed previously.

In regards to the first question, Superfocus changed its name from Zoom Focus Eyewear LLC/Trufocals in October 2010 as part of a brand renovation. The brand change was inspired by conversations between Superfocus LLC (formerly Zoom Focus Eyewear LLC) and its users, during which a universal customer experience became evident: most reported an “awakening” or an ‘ah-ha’ moment upon trying the glasses. Over and over again, consumers used the words “super” and “super focus” to describe their newfound focal ability.

In regards to the second question, eye care professionals across the country have begun offering Superfocus in their practices. You can see the full list of dispensing eye care providers here. I am also happy to put you in touch with some eye care professionals who strongly endorse Superfocus.

Recently, Superfocus was further validated by NASA when it certified the glasses for use in space. You can read the full story here.

In regards to the third question, Superfocus was invented by Dr. Stephen Kurtin as the culmination of twenty years of development. Dr. Kurtin holds S.B. and S.M. degrees from MIT and a Ph.D. in applied physics from Caltech.

Superfocus are adjustable focus glasses (not multifocal glasses) that mimic the focusing action of the human eye. Also, they are very popular amongst shooters. You can read what NRA editor and pro shooter Chip Lohman had to say about them here: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nra/ssusa_201008/index.php#/8.

Superfocus allows the user to adjust the focus of their lens instantly. Unlike bifocals or even the most advanced progressive lenses, the region of sharp focus is not limited to a small zone, but instead spans a user’s entire field of vision. There are simply no zones of fuzziness, blur or distortion. The result is a complete solution for presbyopia, eliminating any need to carry multiple pairs of glasses or suffer the negative side effects of bifocals and progressives.

Each Superfocus "lens" is actually a set of two lenses, one flexible and one conventionally firm. The flexible lens (near the eye) has a transparent distensible membrane attached to a clear rigid surface. The space between the membrane and the clear rigid surface holds a small quantity of clear optical fluid. As a user moves the slider on the bridge, the fluid is pushed forward to alter the shape of the membrane, thereby altering the flexible lens. Changing the shape of the flexible lens changes its focus, mimicking the performance of the natural lens in youthful human eyes. Superfocus technology allows users to adjust their focus at any distance and under any lighting conditions. The result: clear, undistorted vision over a wide field of view without any zones or lines in the lens.

The second (front) lens holds the user’s prescription and latches onto the frame, held firmly in place by a patented system of tiny magnets. It is quick and easy to snap off one set of front lenses and replace them with another.

Many shooters have found Superfocus to be an ideal solution for their shooting (and everyday) vision needs.

Happy Shooting,
Caitlin

 

[hermannr]

I too am having the "older eye" focus problem. My standard lenses are -3.00 so I can see the sights fine without any glasses, However, with 100M Silhouettes, past the chicken, I cannot see the target at all without my glasses. With the glasses I can see the targets, but the sights are very fuzzy.

My neighbor has a Beretta .22 with a red dot scope (do not know the brand and he won't be back for another month so I can't just ask) that worked really well. The dot was very clear and bright and easily adjustable...my problem is...how do I mount something like that to my 6" colt revolver? a High Standard Trophy or Olympic? a CZ-52? or a CZ-75 compact?

No, I am not going to drill and tap any of them for special mounts.

 

[moonpie]

try shooting with trifocals sometime. best money i ever spent was when i started using fiber optic sights (hiviz and Williams firesights). now i can hit with or w/o my glasses

 

[teetertotter]

Herman, you might want to consider a SW 22a, 7-1/2 inch barrel or 6 inch. I have a Nikon Buckmaster, BDC, 4-14X40 with weaver type rings. No modifying and I shoot pistol metallic silhouette every Wednesday eve.

Last Fall I went back to the lense place [Fluegge Optical] who fills my prescriptions and asked for shooting lenses as they also specialize in this area too. He made up my lenses designed for distance from my original prescription and modified. He said, try these out and report back.
I reported back and cost me $100.00. This past winter I told him I wanted the bifocal illiminated and just have for distance. Left eye is 900+ and right eye is 500+ which is very high near sightedness with stigmatism. He also examined my club shooting range conditions, bright sun, under cover, type background....etc and came up with new lenses with Lt. blue tint. I also shoot NRA SB metallic silhouette. First, if you want to see a target clearly and distinctly at 100 meters, you need a scope with superb optics to begin with and then the right glasses second. Simple as that. I am fortunate I have access to an optical firm that has experience in all fields of optics.

Remember, buy a mfgs scope noted for optical quality, FIRST. Some make different grades too and don't settle for less. My scope at 20X at 100 meters can see a .22LR paper hole with my regular prescription. I get an added bonus in a bit more clarity when comes to black target against sand burm background with shooting prescription glasses. Remember too, there are lense people and REAL lense makers who are all not the same. Even when comes to your regular prescription lenses. My regular prescription lenses are of HI Index and progressive, not cheap. I have Silhouette[Mfg]
wireless frames as puts the lenses closest to your eyes which produces better vision. Frames are not cheap either.

Sorry for rambling, but might be useful information for those that want the best vison with the right lenses and frames with or without poor eye sight.