Glasses, Gittin Old, & Relief-Eyes That Is

[Steverino]

So...Good afternoon Folks,

After noticing my eyes feeling strained after work and my trap/clays scores dropping the past month (hey, we've got to blame sumthin' cuz there's no way it could be us, right?! ) I finally sauntered my way into the ol' eye doc.

It seems that the ol' eyesight ain't what it once was so they fitted me with a pair of bi-focals today. (The eye exam was last week-now I know why the elderly folk walk outta the eye doctor with the "Awnowd" Terminator glasses) I've never had to wear any kind of eye corrective lenses before so this is all new to me.

The opthamologist at the clinic recoiled back at my expression when she made her recommendation after the ol' exam last week. She assured me that the glasses today are much better than the coke bottles of yesteryear. I was surprised myself at how thin the lens actually are! (in addition to how bad my eyes had actually gotten over time as I continually peep over the frames here at work in amazement)

Anyhoo, I of course, got to thinking about shooting and was wondering what considerations, if any should be made with respect to the shooting sports (both rifle and shotgun) Does it take awhile to adjust for the changes in eye relief, sight picture, etc.

I'm planning to head out for some trap in a couple of weeks and would appreciate, as always, any helpful advise!

[rubicon]

My glasses (bifocals) work fine for me shooting. Looking through binoculars, thats another story.

[Rabid Rich]

Welcome to the "Club" ,
I am going friday to pickup yet another pair of Bi-focals. Like Superman, these are "More Powerful" (than the last pair anyway).
I didn't have much of a problem adjusting to the "two-views" as I had imagined. I had heard all sorts of HORROR stories about falling off curbs and falling UP stairs, etc. because of the bi-focals. Guess I wuz lucky 'cause me and the glasses got along fine from the git go. I sincerely hope the same for you!!!. I wore sunglasses and saftey glasses at the range, work, etc. so the wearing of was not much of a problem. Looking thru Bino's and spotting scopes......well, as has been said.........It kinda SUCKS. I have to take my glasses off and go from there.
Good luck to you and hang with it. The first time I tried to eat with a fork I stuck it up my nose!!!
HAW!

[royinidaho]

Bifocals mess ya up when you're trying to do things like walk across lava rock, or step on stones to cross a creek.

As far as eye relief etc, I've found no problems there.

Use of spotting scope and LRF is a bit of a hassle.

However, WARNING, watch for crooked cross hairs. I bought a new scope and the cross hairs were crooked. They sent me another upon my phone call. In the mean time I put the scope up to my "other" eye. Reticle was straight.

As long as I don't change power on the scope the ol' crooked eye (right) puts 'em in the same hole. Change power and things move all over the place.

VA Dr. got me some thing called ISENSE from the health food store. 3 months of that took 10 years off of my glasses prescription. Right eye still can't see straight but now I'm left handed.

Watch out for that macular degeneration. The supplements are cheap and worth it, if they work for you.

Also glasses are teh pits in heavy snow fall and rain. And when wearing any kind of camo head gear.

[BILLY D.]

HI

RABID, STEVE, RUBY

I POSTED IN THE SENIORS FORUM, OLD EYES,AWHILE BACK ABOUT EYE PROBLEMS AND SOME OF THE HASSLES I WENT THROUGH.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE POST. MIGHT HELP YOU OUT, MIGHT NOT EITHER.

[Jack]

You may have to adjust the rear eyepiece on your riflescopes, but that's just because your eyesight (with the glasses) is now different than it was.
Now, as to binoculars and spotting scopes, you may run into some problems. Because of the glasses, your eye is now held farther from the rear lens(ocular lens) or eyepiece than before. This may cause you to be unable to see the full field of view.
As far as clarity, you'll likely run into the same thing as with scopes- readjust the focus and you'll get good clarity.
It IS possible to get binoculars that will give the full field of view when you look thru them with glasses on. Some binoculars (most) have roll down or retractable eyecups that will let you get your glasses closer to the ocular lens to help give you a larger field of view. That helps, but even with retractable eyecups, a lotta binos won't show the full field. There are some that do- Leica, for example.
If you can find a bino with an ocular distance (distance from rear lens to eye) of 21mm or better, you'll get full field of view with your glasses on.

[Rocky Raab]

Good advice, Jack.

I'm very lucky. In my 59th year and still 20/20 (or nearly so) and only use a 1.25 set of reading glasses. And don't need those on some days.

But I ALWAYS wear shooting glasses, so I still experience the eye relief problem with binos and spotting scopes. Besides the ocular distance that Jack mentioned, you'll also get a wider field of view if the rear lens (the ocular) is larger in diameter.

The common misconception is that a large front (objective) lens gives a wider field of view, but the diameter of the front lens has nothing to do with field of view. The rear one does.

[Steverino]

Thanks for the advice and comments, one and all! I didn't know that Rocky about the ocular lense either. I will certainly consider this bit of information when I procure another shooting optic in the future.

[buckhunter]

Ive been a glasses wearer since the 4th grade. I really did have much problem with shooting until about a year ago when I went to check zero on a iron sight rifle. Couldn't see the target or sights. Same was true for my slug gun. Well they all wear scopes now. Its just the price of getting old.

Don't have much of a problem with a handgun. So far so good with them.