Aging eys and prescription shooting glasses

[DIYguy]

I'm looking for options for shooting glasses for USPSA and IPSC.
I'm sure I have a lot of company with the same problem, need a crisp focus for my pistol sights at arms length but still need to be able to see my target.
I'm at that point where I finally broke down and surrendered to bifocals but still adapting. Tried using the bifocals for shooting and I can see my sights but target is pretty blurry. Tried shooting with my single vision readers and same problem.
Totally blew a comstock stage last night, clipped two hits in the no shoot but didn't know I did as I didn't see the hits so had two mikes and two no shoots for one target.
Has anyone found a solution for aging eyes, sights, target, quick acquisition, etc?
Been shopping online, one site is Tactical RX, I'm sure there are others.
Bifocal for dominate shooting eye, different prescription for other eye? Recommendations for companies?
Need help, any recommendations?

 

[Neumann]

It is more important to see the sights clearly than the target. For best results, I shoot handguns with glasses ground to my reading prescription. I use them when working at a computer too. Ordinary bifocals are awkward, making you bend you head backwards.

Other possibilities are a flip-down peep sight for the shooting eye. The small orifice increases the depth of field (like it does on a camera), so you can see both the sights and target clearly. There are sticky "peep sights" you can put on ordinary glasses. I'm not sure which prescription would work best.

 

[arjay]

I'd like to know the answer to this too.My distance vision is bad enough that without glasses a pop can at 25 yards is invisible.With them, the front sight is a blob.

 

[bobbyd]

To get it right, I finally went to a local optical shop and had them custom made. Ended up with tinted, safety, shatterproof prescription glasses that work oh so good and didn't cost an arm and a leg either.
You do need to be careful, however, that they know these are for pistol shooting rather than, say, trap shooting so they can get to focal point in the right place...for pistols, out about where the front sight on a long barrel revolver when held at arms length. Some optical techs are knowledgeable but to others, shooting is shooting and they do not dirrerentiate between pistols, shotguns and 1000 yard rifle shooters.
At age 70 with aging eyes, this investment has put the fun back into shooting!!!

 

[DIYguy]

Anyone ever try Tactical RX and their Almost Lens?
I like the idea of dominate eye bifocal with the bifocal at the top and rest of lens set for distance. Not cheap but sounds "on target" for USPSA.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Check out..... Hansen Eagle Eye ....... shooting glasses..... they add a "sighting lens" area to a plain or prescription lens.....


I'm like 20/25 in my right eye (20/15 left)......I've got two pair... they work well ..... except where IDPA wants you to shoot while moving....you sometime get a double image as your pupil crosses the bi-focal line.... but works fine for range or hunting.....

 

[TAROMAN]

I have my shooting glasses ground to MONOVISION specification.
Right eye is focused on the front sight.
Left eye is focused to infinity.
This is generally done with contact lenses, but is possible with spectacles, too.
Monovision makes some folks uncomfortable, but it's no problem for me.

 

[usafcct]

WHAT TAROMAN SAID

I have my shooting glasses ground to MONOVISION specification.
Right eye is focused on the front sight.
Left eye is focused to infinity.
This is generally done with contact lenses, but is possible with spectacles, too.
Monovision makes some folks uncomfortable, but it's no problem for me.

I did same. Measured distance from eye to front sight and had my optometrists write a RX for a mono scrip for that measurement strong eye and distance for the other. Then went to one of the box eye shops and had safety glasses made. They were cheap as prescription glasses go. I think out the door was $45-50.
Put them on about 20 minutes before shooting, your brain will adjust. I don't even notice after that time. Unless I need to see some small details. I keep my regular glasses handy for that!

 

[drmweaver2]

I did same. Measured distance from eye to front sight and had my optometrists write a RX for a mono scrip for that measurement strong eye and distance for the other. Then went to one of the box eye shops and had safety glasses made. They were cheap as prescription glasses go. I think out the door was $45-50.
Put them on about 20 minutes before shooting, your brain will adjust. I don't even notice after that time. Unless I need to see some small details. I keep my regular glasses handy for that!

Same here. Best $$ spent at Walmart ever!

 

[star1]

Monvision

Same here. Best $$ spent at Walmart ever!

I wanted to try this and asked at Walmart but they wouldn't do it for me with glasses. My wife has monovision contacts from Walmart, not sure why they wouldn't do the glasses for me. I ended up settling for "computer" glasses and they focus crystal clear for me anyway on the front sight
Norm

 

[rustythread]

Went to tri-focals several years ago, which made it easy. Middle lens is focused at front sight distance, which is also useful for reading the instrument panel in the car. Even if you don't need tri-focals yet, you could ask the optometrist if there's any harm in doing this just for your dominant eye.

 

[joe44va]

Burris Fast Fire 3.

 

[TAROMAN]

I wanted to try this and asked at Walmart but they wouldn't do it for me with glasses. My wife has monovision contacts from Walmart, not sure why they wouldn't do the glasses for me. I ended up settling for "computer" glasses and they focus crystal clear for me anyway on the front sight
Norm

Have your eye doctor write a prescription for what you need.
Any dispensary will fill it no problem.
I order mine from Zenni.

 

[planojack]

I'm 81 and have improved my shooting fun recently with cheap Walmart reading glasses. My ophthalmologist has agreed that this is good until I need cataract surgery. Then he will fix my problem. My distant vision is excellent. My near is poor. I have a pair of everything from 1.25 to 2.75. I use the low numbers for shooting my old open sight military rifles. I use the higher numbers for pistol shooting. Pick the pair that lets you see the front sight clearly. You must adapt for the fuzzies at the target, but you must do that with 18 year old eyes as well. This has brought new excitement to my shooting. Try it. All you have to lose is a few bucks for the cheap reading glasses.

 

[Joe Hohmann]

My cheap reading glasses are 2.0, but I've found 1.25 ideal for shooting. I got a pair of 1.25 safety glasses through Amazon for about $12. These are overall 1.25, not bi-focal (I tried bi-focal ones, but had to tilt my head back).

 

[tomcatt51]

I've been thru this. I'm nearsighted with no glasses but farsighted with my distance prescription.

I take a 6" revolver with me to the optometrist. I'm right handed and we leave my left lens my distance correction and lessen my right eye correction 'til the rear sight is just clear enough.

Basically we're moving my depth of field closer so the rear sight is right on the close side edge of it. This gives a clear front sight blade and the least blurry target.

My right eye distance correction is -3.25 Sphere and the iron sights shooting lens has that reduced to -2.25, Cylinder and Axis stay the same.

Of course the best solution is a red dot but it's worth taking a red dot along too to make sure it looks round and not like a cluster of grapes...

FWIW my computer glasses have a right eye Sphere of -1.75. Another .50 reduction from my shooting correction.

With a distance correction for my left eye it's easy to forget I have my shooting glasses on and drive home with them on. Distance vision is still that good but they also let me see the sights.

 

[federali]

I Solved Your Problem

First, remember that even with young eyes, your eyes may only focus on one thing, and that's the front sight. The target must be a bit fuzzy.

Now, for the solution: I made myself a mock sight plane from a piece of lattice molding that mimics a handgun sight plane, consisting of a rear sight made of vinyl electricians tape, folded over and notched square. I made a wood front sight and attached the "sights" to my lattice molding.

This is necessary for what follows. I took my sighting place to BJ's where you may buy reading glasses in different strengths. Using the mock sight, I went through the entire rack, from +1.00 to +3.50, finding that +1.50 gave me a clear and crisp sight picture with the target just a bit fuzzy. I then bought three or four pair for $20.00, leaving them in my two range bags and a pair in my nightstand drawer.

Now, you can also do this with a real gun but I strongly advise against it as you'll have an entire swat team around your neck in a matter of minutes. That's why you need the mock sight plane.

 

[DIYguy]

I have a pair of prescription shooting glasses my optometrist made that are similar to my computer glasses. Focal length is set at about 27".
I've always had very good eyesight but age catches up and after 45 had to start use reading glasses. Every four years or so the prescription gets a bit stronger and now at 61 distance needs some help also.
The single vision shooting glasses are great using a scope and OK for the indoor range as I can bring the targets back to check my hits. Problem is, the magnification that lets me see the front sight clear makes the target VERY blurry. I can not see my hits on the target during the run-n-gun matches.
I'm looking into safety shooting glasses with my far vision prescription for the main glasses and a bifocal window at the top of the right lens for my sights. Thought is, tip head down for sight picture, one eye only, tip head up for rest of lens and check my hits.
Been swapping e-mails with Tactical Rx for this type of glasses. I have HSA account and can tap into my account to cover the glasses.
Still wondering if anyone has used Tactical Rx or shot using this type of glasses?

 

[Toyman]

I ordered a set of Decot prescription glasses at Shot Show a few years ago. Right lens for front sight left lens for distance. Takes a minute for my eyes to adjust after putting them on but makes a big difference shooting indoors and trying to find front sight with lineless bifocals.

 

[Krogen]

Here's another solution. Buy some of the stick-on bifocals from Amazon. They attach to your regular glasses through surface tension from a drop of water. Use a sharp pair of scissors to trim them to size. The lowest power worked best for pistol iron sights.

I cut out a circle about 3/8" in diameter and stuck it to my prescription safety glasses. It's big enough to sight properly and small enough that I can walk around without changing glasses or bashing my noggin into things.

Previously, I used my computer glasses. Perfect for shooting, but I had to change glasses to navigate.

 

[Bkreutz]

I'm looking for options for shooting glasses for USPSA and IPSC.
I'm sure I have a lot of company with the same problem, need a crisp focus for my pistol sights at arms length but still need to be able to see my target.
I'm at that point where I finally broke down and surrendered to bifocals but still adapting. Tried using the bifocals for shooting and I can see my sights but target is pretty blurry. Tried shooting with my single vision readers and same problem.
Totally blew a comstock stage last night, clipped two hits in the no shoot but didn't know I did as I didn't see the hits so had two mikes and two no shoots for one target.
Has anyone found a solution for aging eyes, sights, target, quick acquisition, etc?
Been shopping online, one site is Tactical RX, I'm sure there are others.
Bifocal for dominate shooting eye, different prescription for other eye? Recommendations for companies?
Need help, any recommendations?

I screwed around with various prescriptions and all the homebrew solutions. I finally gave up and went to a red dot optic. If I can focus on the target, the dot is just as sharp (some kind of optical illusion) I've never looked back. Try borrowing (or renting) a pistol with dot, you will be amazed.

BTW, I shoot USPSA Open division for the past 3 years (or so)

 

[fredj338]

I'd like to know the answer to this too.My distance vision is bad enough that without glasses a pop can at 25 yards is invisible.With them, the front sight is a blob.

My eyes at 60 are probably worse than most. With a partial detachment & then cataract surgery, good prescription shooting glasses are a must. I am right handed, but my right eye sees close, left eye sees far. So while I can function w/o glasses, shooting fast & accurate is problematic.
I went with a large safety eyeglass, ground for a blended bi-focal, setup just for shooting distance, hard focus on the front sight. The larger lens allows a wider blend of the bifocal, so I don't have to search for the front sight or target, my eyes make an instant adjustment. You can't hit what you can't see so get someone to do your glasses that understands your shooting needs. Monovision works too, just my eyes are backwards & not willing to screw around trying to relearn my monovision. A blended bi-focal works great if done properly.

 

[TAC]

I'm looking for options for shooting glasses for USPSA and IPSC.
I'm sure I have a lot of company with the same problem, need a crisp focus for my pistol sights at arms length but still need to be able to see my target.

Recommendations for companies?
Need help, any recommendations?

Don't go to a shopping-mall junk peddler, like Len's-Crapters. Go to a 'good' ophthalmologist, if you haven't already done so. Explain your needs, and the problem you're having, they should be able to help. Have you been checked for cataracts? They're very common as we age, and can be fixed, and the difference is like being born again!

 

[tmont]

I ordered a set of Decot prescription glasses at Shot Show a few years ago. Right lens for front sight left lens for distance. Takes a minute for my eyes to adjust after putting them on but makes a big difference shooting indoors and trying to find front sight with lineless bifocals.

I also went with Decot, same setup as Toyman. Excellent company and products. Have been very satisfied with results and product. I ended up purchasing two separate RX lenses for my shooting eye, which are quickly interchangeable in the shooting frame. Use one for iron sights, one with scope.

When you call Decot, you speak with optometrists who assist you with your order and are familiar with shooting requirements. Should mention the lenses I purchased are tinted to help with target acquisition. Hope that helps.

 

[JamesArthur60]

Mine are totally different. I asked to have the eye doc (actually his assistant) place my try-focal lens on the top and my bi-focal lens in the normal bottom position. In other words, the top lens is for front sight focus and the bottom lens is for reloading magazines. The entire lens is to my normal prescription. They look weird, but for me the design works amazingly well. Think about it, when you aim your handgun you tilt your head slightly downward. That's when the top upside down lens comes into focus on the front sight.

 

[RussellD]

I had a set of glasses made just for shooting. Held my favorite handgun and measured how far the front sight was from my clasped hands. Then went to the ophthalmologist and explained exactly what I wanted for shooting. Results are a very mild pair of reading glasses in oakley frames. I can wear them and see the front sight in perfect focus and the target is only mildly blurry.

Groups on target show they work. Trying to shoot in my bifocals only makes things worse for me.

 

[silentflyer]

My far vision is still excellent, at arms length the sights are a blur. After trying a number of different lens/glasses combinations I gave up the fight and installed Burris Fastfire's on my revolvers. No they aren't "pretty" in the traditional sense, but now I can hit what I aim at again....most of the time...

 

[dwever]

To get it right, I finally went to a local optical shop and had them custom made. Ended up with tinted, safety, shatterproof prescription glasses that work oh so good and didn't cost an arm and a leg either.
You do need to be careful, however, that they know these are for pistol shooting rather than, say, trap shooting so they can get to focal point in the right place...for pistols, out about where the front sight on a long barrel revolver when held at arms length. Some optical techs are knowledgeable but to others, shooting is shooting and they do not dirrerentiate between pistols, shotguns and 1000 yard rifle shooters.
At age 70 with aging eyes, this investment has put the fun back into shooting!!!

Nice! I may look in to that, and for the moment I have found shooting Nirvana with an Aimpoint T-2 Micro on a TRR8. Wow!

 

[DIYguy]

Latest update to the shooting glasses journey.
Started swapping e-mails with Tactical Rx back in September. What they needed, how to do the measurements, etc.
Picked three frames to try on, paid for the three frames and they shipped me the frames. Did the measurements based on the torn off half sheet of paper received, shipped the frames back with two prescriptions from my optometrist, (one for the bifocal and one for distance) PD measurements, distance from lens to front sight, etc.. Was surprised they did not make any provision for shipping glasses back to them, on my own to pack and take to UPS. Received my glasses back five weeks later and they were completely wrong! When I tried the glasses on it was like swimming under water, everything had sort of a moving, distorted look. The bifocal I could NOT focus with at all and was in the wrong location. I had to tip my head down so far my chin rested on my chest and I had to look up to look through the bifocal window. Took the glasses to my optometrist to have the lenses checked and he confirmed, left lens was close to correct, right lens was incorrect and bifocal wasn't even close to my prescription. The difference between two different prescriptions for my main vision is what was causing the underwater distortion.
Tactical Rx agreed to redo the lenses, I sent them back and five weeks later received my glasses back. This is now thirteen weeks from the start when my credit card was first charged.
Good news is, the glasses now work. Take some getting use to but main prescription for the main part of the glasses is for distance so good in the 20'++ range. The bifocal is at the top of the right lens in the correct location so now when I tip my head down slightly for my sight picture I'm looking through the bifocal and can focus on my front sight. Tip head up slightly and regular lens comes back for full vision and targets.
I feel better having actual ANSI rated safety shooting glasses rather than a pair of computer glasses and so far the lenses seem to be doing what they are supposed to do. Haven't had a chance to shoot a match yet as we are on holiday break for our league shoots.
In summary, Tactical Rx has a good idea but the fulfillment was not very professional. E-mail is a yahoo account, instructions are a torn piece of paper printed from the website, e-mail responses can take up to three days. $473 pair of glasses and no case, just draw string sock. No shipping, tracking info so "where's my order?". S-L-O-W. Took nine weeks from first credit card payment to receipt of glasses the first time, another five weeks for corrected glasses.
I'm sure hoping my scores improve......

 

[MajorD]

Target. Needs to be blurry to begin with and sights sharp and the instant you discharge the pistol you should know where you bullet will land and regardless of a match or practice should never try to spot holes in targets with your naked eye. Trying to spot your holes on target causes several problems it takes your eyes off the sights where they should be, wastes time, strains the eyes and can cause you during courses of fire to subconsciously look over your sights to the target. Sights sharp the target a furry blob is exactly what you need to see. Whatever RX does that for you is correct, or as otherwise mentioned a sighting lens that makes your sights sharp and a non sighting lens to help with target index.