Cataracts, Progressive Bi-Focals and Shooting

[iredwing]

Hi Everyone,
I am in need of some direction/advice. I love shooting my Glock 22, but due to Glaucoma, Diabetes and other factors, I developed cataracts that had to be removed. Since the cataracts were removed, they replace the lens of your eyes with a fixed focus artificial lens. This means I am now wearing progressive lens bi-focals. The progressive lens bi-focal is great for everyday work, but leaves a lot to be desired when shooting.

I have to lean my head up quite a ways in order to see through the lower portion of the lens when shooting. I can get a good sight picture on the front sight, but loose contact with the target after about 12 yards. I have tried shooting without my glasses on and have had good sucess, but then again I can't see the target out past about 10-12 yards.

Any help, suggestion, advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
John
IRedWing
Glock 22

[jimlongley]

While not quite at that stage, I wear tri-focals with the mid range focal length set for my front sights. Finding the right provider can be a problem, when we lived in IL my optical provider was also a shooter so he understood my needs, haven't found one in TX yet.

[Mithras61]

I'm surprised you didn't get a CrystaLens implant. I thought that was standard procedure now because it gives the patient the ability to focus just like with their original lens before cataracts.

Anyhoo, I'd either get a pair of "shooting glasses" that is just the 'scrip I needed to see the sights, or a pair of progressives with the prescriptions inverted so that the main part is the good for seeing the sights one.

[Crossfire]

John - I got the lined bifocals for shooting, instead of the progressive lenses. That way, you have a clear line between front sight and target.

Tell your eye doctor what you need them for, and he can move the bifocal line up for you so that it is not so low.

[iredwing]

Thanks for the quick input guys. I should have said that my cataract surgery was about 6 years ago, so the Crystal Lens implants weren't fully tested and ready at the time.

I think I will have to get new glasses with the lined bi-focal instead of the progressive and at the same time have the line raised some.

I'm not sure how often the lens implants have to be redone, but I will also query my doctor about the possibility of changing my lens to Crystal Lens.

Thanks,
John

[longtooth]

I also have 3-focals. I shoot in the glasses I wear on the street. If I need to defend, well,,,,I will have these on & need to be familiar w/ them.

Remember to always focus on the front site, Front Site, FRONT SITE: Jeff Cooper.

Let the target blur as long as it does not disappear.
If Carlson1 does not get in on this pretty quick, PM him for his thoughts.

He has struggled w/ many of the eye & diabetes issues that you have & then some other health issues too. He may be you greatest resourse here. I know I am not.

[Jungle Work]

I am an old guy too, so what I did is get a set of glasses and have them cut the bi focal for the distance that I normally hold a pistol so that the front sight is clear. I had the bifocal cut into the inside upper corner of each lens as I slightly tilt my head when I shoot. My glasses work well for my iron sight on my rifles as the front sigt is clear.

This is what works for me, Great Post.

Jugnle Work

[Charles L. Cotton]

I use a +1.0 "stick-on" bifocal on the top of my shooting glasses on my right eye. When I naturally dip my head in my normal shooting posture, I'm looking directly through the "stick-on." The front sight is crystal clear. I cut it small enough that I don't see unless I'm shooting.

I buy them from Hidalgo Supply. Installation is just a matter of cleaning the glasses, then dipping them and the bifocal in water and pressing it on.

Chas.

[Bob Wolff]

As a regular IDPA shooter I went the route of a dedicated shooting pair of glasses. I am another shooter with aged eyes and currently wear progressive bifocals. Had alot of trouble with these shooting prone or getting a correct sight picture.
Spoke to my Dr and he didn't object to my bringing my gun to his office. He generated a prescription that had my right lens (dominant) fixed focus at my front sight and my left eye at my distance correction (not much).
When I wear these my sight is in sharp focus and the target is visible.
Brain can do amazing things, especially if you can shoot both eyes open.

Bob

[smokin]

You guys are too old to be shooting and should let me have your firearms for safe keeping. I offer this as a free service just to help out forum members.

[Houston1944]

I have the following glasses --
Regular bifocals for normal wear
Computer classes focused at 26"
Shooting glasses focused to a clear front sight and a fuzzy target at 15 yards.
Close work glasses focused at 6". Don't use them often but they are great when I need them.

Yes, father time is winning but I'm going out fighting.... Smokin you need to wait until I'm in the grave and then just follow my wife to the pawn shop.

[iredwing]

Thanks for all the replies. I will have to sit down and really think about which option I want to pursue. I'm not too old - only 40, but already breaking down due to disease.

I do prefer to shoot with the same glasses that I wear daily, since there would be time to change glasses if an incident arises where I need to protect myself - after all, this is a CHL forum. :)

Thanks,
John

[carlson1]

Sorry about your struggles. I have the bifocals. I don't wear them while I shoot. Like LT said always the Front Site. My eyes have not deteriated that fast at this time. My hands and feet have been effected more. I am sorry I can't help more. A lot a great advice above though.

[longtooth]

You guys are too old to be shooting and should let me have your firearms for safe keeping. I offer this as a free service just to help out forum members.

May be old & goin half blurie blind but aint nuthin wrong w/ our grip nor trigger finger.

front site, squeeze; Front Site, Squeeze; FRONT SITE, SQUEEZE.

[Crossfire]

You guys are too old to be shooting and should let me have your firearms for safe keeping. I offer this as a free service just to help out forum members.

Yeah, that's right. When you pry them from my cold dead fingers...