Eye problems ... need your suggestions

J

Jeff Thomas

New member
I'm at the age where I need reading glasses. And, I had a bad RK surgery years ago, so my eyes aren't the best anyway. I do OK, but vision isn't my strong suit.

My problem is focusing on the front sight, for sidearm and long arm. Went to my eye doctor, and we were going to try some glasses that would be reading glasses in the lower 1/3 of the lens, clear in the middle 1/3, and 'front sight focus' on the top 1/3. In an aggressive shooting stance, I figured this would work fine. (Note, I previously tried a 'front sight focus' just below the middle of the lens, but that didn't work - not right for the stance, and the way you would hold your head.)

Well, they called back, and the lab said they no longer offer that kind of lens. Sooooo, my only choice is this dorky, flip up lens that attaches (temporarily) to the glasses. Yeah, I suppose it would work, but (1) I'm not going to have that lens available in an emergency, whereas a permanent lens might be there when I need it, and (2) I'm not ready for the 'dorky' look. ;)

Anyone have any other suggestions or sources? This has become a significant problem. My oldest boy helps me sight in iron sights now, and I do fine with a scope. In a self defense situation I should be able to hit COM. But, I would really like to resolve this so I can enjoy shooting.

Thanks for any ideas. Regards from AZ
 
Jeff, try other labs. Beemerb uses glasses like you describe. Sorry you had a bad RK. Tiny pin hole apature patch over your glasses should be ok for target but would suck big time for regular wear.

Sam
 
This is a long shot, for that matter you might have tried it already. Put some white or florescent paint on the back of the front sight. Might make it stand out more. Just a thought.
 
Jeff,

Ask your doctor about "graduated bifocals."

I have these; there is no visible line on the lens demarking the "bifocal zone." Instead, the focal length is gradually shortened toward the bottom of the lens. This allows me to focus on the front sight at the bottom and also the target at the top, just with a slight tilt of the head.

Good luck.
 
Ledbetter, I got those dang lenses and I shoot with them off! If you shake your head "yes" these things can make you dizzy. I've just stopped aiming all togeather and just "feel" the sight, I know it sounds crazy but if the arm is level I have found I can shoot pretty accuratly without using the sights. My patterns aren't too bad either. I am preparing for if I go totally blind in a few years. I can be like that blind detective series (was it Longstreet) and still shoot. Jeff, I feel for you, it sucks getting old, but we all learn to live with it cause the alternative sucks! Good luck!
 
sumabich, I can tell from your screen name you are mean and hard headed, like me. Heaven doesn't want us, and Hell is afraid we'll take over.

Those danged lenses work pretty well for me, but I've never used any other kind. Then again, I usually keep my head still while shooting. I'd give them another chance before I gave up on the sights altogether. ;)

Regards,

Ledbetter
 
I wear trifocals, and shoot pistol from a Weaver stance. My right eye is my master-eye. My solution--which probably won't work for a one-handed shooting style--is a small lens glued on the upper left corner of my right lens (The side near my nose, Dennis...).

It creates a grind the same as the middle portion of my trifocals, giving clear vision at arms length. The sights are sharp, the target is very slightly blurry. This add-on is oval-shaped, about 5/8" X 3/8"; it does not affect other vision.

It works okay on iron-sighted rifles, as well. It's a bit in the way for scopes, but I have another pair of glasses without the add-on. Need a spare pair, anyway.

Hope this helps, Art
 
This is an ongoing topic on the SASS board . Lots of good info . If you don't got a link let me know .

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TOM
SASS AMERICAN LEGION NRA
 
Go to the drugstore. Take a look at the cheapie reading glasses. Very, very, VERY often, one pair or the other will focus EXACTLY on your front sight. This is crappy for reading or seeing but just right for shooting. I just try on a pair an hold out my finger and see how clear it is. One of the best pair of pistol shooting glasses I own cost 9 bucks. AND they are not glass lenses so they don't shatter.

I better edit this. DON'T take the gun to the drugstore.
Try this 1st. You may be very pleasantly surprised.

[This message has been edited by Lavan (edited June 14, 2000).]
 
I have worn occupational bifocals for several years and wouldn't have it any other way. The lens is divided horizontally into 3 segments. The top is focused at arm's length for overhead work. The middle is for distance and the bottom is for reading. I can hold my head down in a normal stance and see the front sight clearly. A big plus is that while using my puter I can see the keyboard and screen without constantly nodding my head.
 
I recall Ayoob talking about this. IIRC, he was able to convince the optician that he needed "upside-down bifocals" and they did it. The optician he went to was one of the big-name national chains, either Pearle or Lenscrafters.

You know you're getting old when you have to carry several different pair of glasses with you! Or do what my old man did, and enquire into getting your arms lengthened... ;)
 
I have "graduated noline bifocals". I'll be showing my age by saying that they're about as useful as the proverbial screen door on a submarine. They're great if you like a stiff neck all the time or if you get a big charge out of falling down stairs if you look down. I used to have what the eye doctor called a middle distance lens pair of glasses that was supposedly for working on the computer, but were great for shooting! I left them in a rental car somewhere and have never been able to find another eyedoctor who would admit to being able to prescribe them for me.
 
Ledbetter, you kindred spirit you! If you think we're hard-headed, let me intoduce you to my older brother. Actually my handle comes from the auctions (guns that is)I have used it for years and have started inviting folks over to TFL. I use the handle because of my bidding style, if you see me bid against you, you will probably say my handle! I am a stubborn poop! I got this idea from our CC class. Our instructor had us aim at the sight and then close our eyes to evaluate if we were keeping our arms staight. I use a Weaver stance and the arm is suppose to be straight anyway. I figure in an emergency, first I probably won't aim or won't have time to aim. AND I sure as heck won't have time to find those dang glasses. I'm not joking, I think by the time the braing processes what's going on, a second may mean the difference between living and dying. Try this guys: have someone spot for you, get in the stance, aim, close your eyes and keep them closed, fire the first shot, then run off the clip a shot at a time while the spotter tells you if your gun is kept level and where you hit, adjust accordingly. Once you master the straight arm, try it with eyes open. I think it is working for me, as I get more time with it I'll let you all know. "Become one with the gun, grass-hopper", "feel the gun, be the gun"! If I accomplish that, those Million Morons can really say guns are bad, cause mine will have a brain, my interpretation of smart gun technology.
 
sumabich: You have convinced me that I probably won't be able to find my glasses when the excrement and the turbine interface either. However, I believe I shall "be" the bullet. ;)
 
JEFF !! Let me know an E-Mail address so I can send it to you . If you wanna seek it out go to SASSNET.COM and follow it to the boards . It's about page 6 or 7 on the SASS WIRE under BIFOCAL RECCOMENDATIONS .

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TOM
SASS AMERICAN LEGION NRA
 
I wear progressive bi-focals and they work for me. Also I just saw the ad for Accu vu contacts that make a multi vision contact lense. The guy who played 006 in one of the last Bond films was the spokesman. He shot a bow and got a bulls eye I suppose wearing his accu vus :rolleyes: FWIW :)

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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
 
I certainly have no quarrel with anyone who wants to see the sights better. At 67 I have had the problem for years. My own thinking is that if one wants to shoot competetion or for pure accuracy then go for the special glasses. However, as my shooting is practice for self defense and I don't figure I would have any special glasses on at the time of trouble I haven't gone to special glasses. I have found that I can shoot more than adequately for self defense even at longer ranges (50+ yards which is not realistic for a civilian for self defense normally) with my regular prescription glasses. Fortunately my distance vision corrects to 20/15 with glasses, but I have to use trifocals, and in addition have a small blind spot in the center of my master eye. I think the Golden Years are so called 'cause it takes a lot of gold to keep you going. Jerry

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Ecclesiastes 12:13  ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
 
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