Fishslayer
New member
My problem is focus. With my glasses it's very hard to get a good sight picture. I'm considering laser (sight, not surgery 
) or one of the HUD type sights.
) or one of the HUD type sights.
For older shooters eyes
- Thread starter mrt949
- Start date
Hey Walt,
You need a new optician. Cataracts DO NOT need to reach a certain stage of development before surgery now. That was true of the pre small incision phacoemulsification techniques of decades ago, but not today.
Cataracts are operated upon when they affect your vision, as simple as that, all else being equal.
The problem may be your HMO or whatever they call it in the US these days. They may be setting a standard, financial rather than medical.
If you choose one of the newer "multifocal" lens, make sure your surgeon has lots of experience with them and also make sure you read up carefully about potential downsides.
You need a new optician. Cataracts DO NOT need to reach a certain stage of development before surgery now. That was true of the pre small incision phacoemulsification techniques of decades ago, but not today.
Cataracts are operated upon when they affect your vision, as simple as that, all else being equal.
The problem may be your HMO or whatever they call it in the US these days. They may be setting a standard, financial rather than medical.
If you choose one of the newer "multifocal" lens, make sure your surgeon has lots of experience with them and also make sure you read up carefully about potential downsides.
I have strange eyes -- one is far-sighted, the other near-sighted. A doc once told me that your brain accepts the image from the best eye and filters out the blurred image from the other, so if you have one good eye, you're golden. I'm 65 and use glasses to read and drive, but fortunately can see the sights on all my handguns without issue. The target is slightly fuzzy, but still easily hit as long as the sights are lined up ... I'm guessing that some day, I'll need glasses to shoot ... getting old does suck, but as somebody said, it sure beats the alternative.
Stevie-Ray
New member
I'm 53, still test 20/13, but need readers. So far, I haven't needed anything special for shooting, though my sights are a tiny bit fuzzier than the target. I do have safety glasses from before I retired that are plain with a D-style bi-focal in 1.50 strength. Probably when I need something, I'll try those. My EDC is a 3" 1911.
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r.w. schrack
New member
As long as you can see the front sight clear you are fine even a 20/20 if alighned right the target will be a blure. so for us old folks it a blure anyway.
Laser surgery is NOT the answer for the OP and for the rest of us older guys.
The problem for us is the inability to rapidly and imperceptibly change focus from target to front sight, actually even to focus on the front sight at all.
Laser surgery is great for young eyes that still can focus (and I can personally attest to that) but it does not fix presbyopia.
That leaves a requirement for optical correction of some type built into either safety glasses or if you are game, an intraocular lens during cataract surgery.
The problem for us is the inability to rapidly and imperceptibly change focus from target to front sight, actually even to focus on the front sight at all.
Laser surgery is great for young eyes that still can focus (and I can personally attest to that) but it does not fix presbyopia.
That leaves a requirement for optical correction of some type built into either safety glasses or if you are game, an intraocular lens during cataract surgery.
49 but with bad eyes. I feel your pain!
For me...
1. Get good glasses with current prescription. Too many variables here depending on your eyes but work the glasses first.
2. Widen the rear slot to allow more daylight on either side of the post as others have said.
3. Get fiber optic front sight. It really helps even if it's not as precise. If you can't do that get the brightest orange model paint and touch up the front sight with it and that'll help too!
4. Manage your own expectations. In the military you shoult have seen what I could do with an M16 at 300 meters. You wouldn't believe me if I told you. I could get into the zone and have a zen like experience and shoot groops that made guys shake their head. But today.
well, I practice mostly defensive handgun skills at 7 yards
5. For rifles; get a good (and I mean good) scope but you still need the right glasses. for open sights on rifles, go with a peep rear and a fiber optic front. It helps old eyes!
6. Last and perhaps least, try a laser on your CCW guns.
And yes the alternative to growing old is worse!
God Bless
Gideon
For me...
1. Get good glasses with current prescription. Too many variables here depending on your eyes but work the glasses first.
2. Widen the rear slot to allow more daylight on either side of the post as others have said.
3. Get fiber optic front sight. It really helps even if it's not as precise. If you can't do that get the brightest orange model paint and touch up the front sight with it and that'll help too!
4. Manage your own expectations. In the military you shoult have seen what I could do with an M16 at 300 meters. You wouldn't believe me if I told you. I could get into the zone and have a zen like experience and shoot groops that made guys shake their head. But today.
well, I practice mostly defensive handgun skills at 7 yards 5. For rifles; get a good (and I mean good) scope but you still need the right glasses. for open sights on rifles, go with a peep rear and a fiber optic front. It helps old eyes!
6. Last and perhaps least, try a laser on your CCW guns.
And yes the alternative to growing old is worse!
God Bless
Gideon