I'm an Optometrist and just got back from a (Ciba, Atlanta) special program dealing with their new Progressive Focus contact lens. All of these lenses are a big compromise, but they also have some real advantages. Issue number one is that you must not have over one diopter of astigmatism. Issue number two is that you must be willing to give up some clarity (as compared to perfect spectacles) at both near and far. If those are reasonable compromises, then you can consider two of the healthiest lenses. One is the Acuvue bifocal and the other is the new Ciba lens. For most people, the Ciba lens provides better distance vision and more depth of field at near. Unfortunately, the expertise needed to fit this lens is rather thin at this time. The lens is brand new on the market and few docs have been exposed to the special techniques needed to get to a good endpoint. Your best bet is to take your noise maker with you to the office and try various lenses while looking at true distance, or go home with the textbook lens plus three other lenses. The other lenses for your shooting eye should be as follows. One lens a step more plus. One lens a step more minus and a third lens two steps more minus. This lens will either work, or it won't. Failure may be the end result, but you do gain the ability to hold your head in any position and see at all distances. BTW, if you tell me where you live, I may know of one of Ciba's training docs in your area.
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Eye problems ... need your suggestions
- Thread starter Jeff Thomas
- Start date
Dear Jeff,
When I hit 42, I noticed that I had started squinting when I read. In the next few years, I'd finally purchased "reading" bifocals. Now I'm 49 and have had the same problem as you've had with sighting a pistol. I also got "progressive" lenses but returned them because I, too, was constantly nodding "yes" at the range. It became a real pain. So, progressives didn't do it, bi-focals didn't do it and I my scores were becoming horrible. My solution, however, was cheap and very successful. I simply went to a local discount store and tried on four or five pair of cheap reading glasses by holding my thumbs up at arms length. When I found a "power" where my thumbs were in perfect focus, I bought them. I then tried them at the range with terrific success! I could once again use iron sites perfectly. Yes, the target is fuzzy at 75 feet but it doesn't affect my scores. FYI, I'm using a 150 power lens. Once I'd found my "focal point", I went to Costco and ordered a pair of safety glasses with the same lens. I can now shoot both pistols and rifles as well as before. Hope this helps.
Rome
When I hit 42, I noticed that I had started squinting when I read. In the next few years, I'd finally purchased "reading" bifocals. Now I'm 49 and have had the same problem as you've had with sighting a pistol. I also got "progressive" lenses but returned them because I, too, was constantly nodding "yes" at the range. It became a real pain. So, progressives didn't do it, bi-focals didn't do it and I my scores were becoming horrible. My solution, however, was cheap and very successful. I simply went to a local discount store and tried on four or five pair of cheap reading glasses by holding my thumbs up at arms length. When I found a "power" where my thumbs were in perfect focus, I bought them. I then tried them at the range with terrific success! I could once again use iron sites perfectly. Yes, the target is fuzzy at 75 feet but it doesn't affect my scores. FYI, I'm using a 150 power lens. Once I'd found my "focal point", I went to Costco and ordered a pair of safety glasses with the same lens. I can now shoot both pistols and rifles as well as before. Hope this helps.
Rome
Jeff:
I agree with Lavan and Rome, go to the drugstore and buy some reading glasses.
After a twenty-year (more or less) hiatus from handgun shooting, I decided to take up the sport again (a friend and I founded the local IDPA club about two years ago). Much to my great surprise, I couldn't focus on both the front sight and the target at the same time, and my scores were terrible. So, I experimented a bit, and came up with a workable (for me) solution. I use 1.00 drugstore reading glasses when I shoot IDPA matches.
Here's the background behind how I came up with the solution: About ten years ago (back when I was about 40, thinner, had less gray hair, could still hear watch alarms, and had a focal length that only slightly exceeded the length of my arms), I went to see the local eye doctor. Prior to this visit, I'd resorted to using a pair of drugstore reading glasses. The Doc checked me over and told me I needed reading glasses (big surprise).
However, and here's the interesting part, the Doc looked at my drugstore glasses and told me he would write me a prescription, but suggested I just use the glasses I already had. His reasoning was that my eyes would continue to change for the next few years and I'd need to change glasses several times anyway. Besides, he said the drugstore glasses would work just about as well (for me) as the prescription kind and would save me a lot of money in the process.
Fast forward to today: Now I use 2.25 glasses to read printed things like books and newspapers, 1.50 glasses to work on a computer all day, and 1.00 glasses to shoot with. The 1.00 glasses work good for shooting because they are just barley powerful enough to make the front sight come into focus without putting the target too far out of focus.
The suggestion about using your thumb to focus on while selecting glasses at the drugstore is a good one. However, make sure to hold your thumb at arm's length and then select the weakest glasses that will make your thumb come into focus. Those will be the ones that work best for shooting (I found this out through much trial and error).
By the way, these shooting glasses will work pretty well for good old every-day wandering around as well. You'll be able to see well enough to not trip over things, but still be able to focus on most stuff up close too.
Good Luck,
Neil
I agree with Lavan and Rome, go to the drugstore and buy some reading glasses.
After a twenty-year (more or less) hiatus from handgun shooting, I decided to take up the sport again (a friend and I founded the local IDPA club about two years ago). Much to my great surprise, I couldn't focus on both the front sight and the target at the same time, and my scores were terrible. So, I experimented a bit, and came up with a workable (for me) solution. I use 1.00 drugstore reading glasses when I shoot IDPA matches.
Here's the background behind how I came up with the solution: About ten years ago (back when I was about 40, thinner, had less gray hair, could still hear watch alarms, and had a focal length that only slightly exceeded the length of my arms), I went to see the local eye doctor. Prior to this visit, I'd resorted to using a pair of drugstore reading glasses. The Doc checked me over and told me I needed reading glasses (big surprise).
However, and here's the interesting part, the Doc looked at my drugstore glasses and told me he would write me a prescription, but suggested I just use the glasses I already had. His reasoning was that my eyes would continue to change for the next few years and I'd need to change glasses several times anyway. Besides, he said the drugstore glasses would work just about as well (for me) as the prescription kind and would save me a lot of money in the process.
Fast forward to today: Now I use 2.25 glasses to read printed things like books and newspapers, 1.50 glasses to work on a computer all day, and 1.00 glasses to shoot with. The 1.00 glasses work good for shooting because they are just barley powerful enough to make the front sight come into focus without putting the target too far out of focus.
The suggestion about using your thumb to focus on while selecting glasses at the drugstore is a good one. However, make sure to hold your thumb at arm's length and then select the weakest glasses that will make your thumb come into focus. Those will be the ones that work best for shooting (I found this out through much trial and error).
By the way, these shooting glasses will work pretty well for good old every-day wandering around as well. You'll be able to see well enough to not trip over things, but still be able to focus on most stuff up close too.
Good Luck,
Neil
Robert Foote
New member
I have found the same solution as Mr. Eatman refers to. The small 1/2" or so dia. lens is referred to as a 'jeweler's spot'. I had mine put in the upper left corner of my (master eye) bifocals almost ten years ago when I was still a full time LEO and firearms instructor. The focal length on the spot was set at the distance of the front sight. It's now a little fuzzier than it used to be but still perfectly usable. As has been pointed out, a special set of shooting glasses is fine if you are a recreational target shooter. If you are an LEO that is not a solution--although it's surprising what you can do if you have to with the wrong glasses or no glasses at all.
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Jeff Thomas
New member
Thank you very much ... lots of ideas to work with now.
Gary, I'm in the Phoenix, AZ area. Thanks.
Regards from AZ
Gary, I'm in the Phoenix, AZ area. Thanks.
Regards from AZ
Well... I just this minute got back from picking up some re-worked glasses. I too have progressive bi-focals normally. But I simply could NOT focus on the front sight with them.
Ok... so I cheated. I got an old set of frames. I had my right lens set to the NEAR prescription. I had the left lens set to the FAR prescription. Then I had them tinted with an amber color.
Yeah... I don't want to wear them walking around town. But for range work they will be just the ticket.
Bubba
Ok... so I cheated. I got an old set of frames. I had my right lens set to the NEAR prescription. I had the left lens set to the FAR prescription. Then I had them tinted with an amber color.
Yeah... I don't want to wear them walking around town. But for range work they will be just the ticket.
Bubba
Bubba, you flipping genius. I wear Varilux lenses on the range with some success, but I think you just nailed the answer for me!!!!! You've got me thinking about contacts, too. I have a pair for driving(can't read, can't see a monitor, etc.) and a pair that will let me see the front sight, but not the target at 25 yd. So...if I mix them...Later, gotta go try it. John