I recently had cataract surgery on my eyes and my trip to the gun range was disappointing. Because the surgery has me far-sighted, I can't get a good focus on the sight alignment. I need to practice a lot more with my new eyes or perhaps get prescription shooting glasses. Right now I'm frustrated with my vision when I'm at the gun range.
New Eyes and Sight Alignment
- Thread starter Oaktree45
- Start date
rcurtner
Professional
Have same problems being far-sighted. Have three pistols, two revolvers with iron sights wear 1.25 reading glasses for range shooting. The rest of my pistols have dot optics.
BassCliff
Professional
Hi,
After my cataract surgery my solution was a pair of "Top Focal" shooting glasses from SSP Eyewear.
sspeyewear.com
I use the top focal lens only on my right eye to see front sight clearly. I recently had to order some 1.75 lenses as my eyes age. I use no correction when shooting my optic pistol.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
After my cataract surgery my solution was a pair of "Top Focal" shooting glasses from SSP Eyewear.
Bifocal Safety Glasses | SSP Eyewear | Bifocal Reading Glasses
Shop SSP Eyewear for the best bifocal shooting glasses and tactical glasses. Perfect for precision and safety with bifocal lenses and prescription options available.
sspeyewear.com
I use the top focal lens only on my right eye to see front sight clearly. I recently had to order some 1.75 lenses as my eyes age. I use no correction when shooting my optic pistol.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
belladonna
Ronin
I use the SSP top focal for shooting now. And like @BassCliff I only need them for the front sight, don’t need anything for the optic.
Bassbob
Emissary
Have you tried optics on your pistols yet ?
rcurtner
Professional
Should have added like BassCliff don't wear glasses with dot optics. Same question as Bassbob on optics.
I was hoping to stay away from optics, but it may have to happen.
BassCliff
Professional
Hi,
I sometimes practice with iron sights without using my special shooting glasses. The upgraded SpeedSights (with tritium) I use are fuzzy, but usable at normal self defense distances. The bad guy is not going to wait for me to put on my SSP Top Focals.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
I sometimes practice with iron sights without using my special shooting glasses. The upgraded SpeedSights (with tritium) I use are fuzzy, but usable at normal self defense distances. The bad guy is not going to wait for me to put on my SSP Top Focals.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
Bassbob
Emissary
I was anti-optic on handguns until I got one. Now I wouldn't buy a carry gun that wasn't cut for one. I'm 57 and started needing cheaters a couple years ago.
Lab4Us
Custom
Unlike these guys above, I have a pretty good astigmatism so have to wear glasses all the time, even after cataract surgery in both eyes (my astigmatism is from an oval shaped eye). I ordered a pair of WylieX sunglasses in trifocals prescription and transition lenses. I use them in the yard when out with the dogs and then wear them to range when shooting. They are clear indoors and super dark in the sun, so best of both worlds. Bonus is that WylieX are mostly safety glasses, so extra protection for eyes as a “cherry on top”. It’s pretty nice being able to just wear them as normal and not have to fumble around with safety glasses at the range.
They have lots of sales, so don’t pay retail
. I only order from the actual WylieX site to avoid fraudulent product. Lots of it out there.
They have lots of sales, so don’t pay retail
. I only order from the actual WylieX site to avoid fraudulent product. Lots of it out there.Attachments
BassCliff
Professional
Hi,
Nice glasses. When ordered with a prescription, will they put the diopter on top?
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
Unlike these guys above, I have a pretty good astigmatism so have to wear glasses all the time, even after cataract surgery in both eyes (my astigmatism is from an oval shaped eye). I ordered a pair of WylieX sunglasses in trifocals prescription and transition lenses. I use them in the yard when out with the dogs and then wear them to range when shooting. They are clear indoors and super dark in the sun, so best of both worlds. Bonus is that WylieX are mostly safety glasses, so extra protection for eyes as a “cherry on top”. It’s pretty nice being able to just wear them as normal and not have to fumble around with safety glasses at the range.
They have lots of sales, so don’t pay retail
Nice glasses. When ordered with a prescription, will they put the diopter on top?
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
Lab4Us
Custom
No idea, never asked them. But they’ve always been responsive to questions via e-mail, even their docs that work the prescriptions. I know when I get them in, they come with a tiny brochure that explains how prescriptions are adjusted for the curvature of the glasses (they pretty much cover entire eye, side to side, top to bottom, and against the head/face). If they can do that, they may be able to do what you’re asking. Reason I ordered the Omega version was the 66mm width lenses, which really works to keep sun off eyes, long before and after cataract surgery. I’m on my third pair over the years and various prescription changes.
Contact Us | Wiley X Customer Support
Our Customer Support hours are Monday - Friday 8:00AM to 4:30 PM CST. Call 800-776-7842, or submit online form.
www.wileyx.com
4rchangel
Operator
I just had mine done last June. I had to practice a LOT to get past it. You might want to consider checking out a few different sight styles to see if any work better post surgery. As a pretty much life long 3 dot sight guy, I find myself gravitating to the style of sights that are on the Hellcat. The only 3 dots I use anymore are TruGlo TFOs.
Lab4Us
Custom
For OP, with all of that, I should have mentioned I now much prefer using an optic (green, and recently found a 6MOA dot works better for me than a multi with a 2MOA dot). And as the poster above mentioned, with irons I do better with the “ball in a bucket” type sights vice three dot, with a very bright green or orange front sight offsetting a black rear sight.Unlike these guys above, I have a pretty good astigmatism so have to wear glasses all the time, even after cataract surgery in both eyes (my astigmatism is from an oval shaped eye). I ordered a pair of WylieX sunglasses in trifocals prescription and transition lenses. I use them in the yard when out with the dogs and then wear them to range when shooting. They are clear indoors and super dark in the sun, so best of both worlds. Bonus is that WylieX are mostly safety glasses, so extra protection for eyes as a “cherry on top”. It’s pretty nice being able to just wear them as normal and not have to fumble around with safety glasses at the range.
They have lots of sales, so don’t pay retail
Phaser
Operator
Had the Multi-focal lens implanted same day of cataract surgery 3 yrs. ago. Now I can read even the smallest of print at very close range. Although there are trade-offs with these implants...you either get the ability to read w/o glasses or lose some distant focus or vice versa. It took time for the brain time to accept and adapt.
belladonna
Ronin
I haven't had any problems like cataracts yet, but my eye doc did say that I have the beginnings of cataract growth, and he said it shouldn't be an issue for many years yet. I wear a very weak prescription in my safety glasses I wear at work. They are progressive because I find that line in bifocals very distracting. For reading and computer work I switch off between using readers and prescription glasses.
Lately I have been using SSP glasses with the top focal, and they work but they fog up a lot at the range, especially toward the end of my sessions...and the line is a distraction. I have been looking into prescription glasses for shooting. I have a few pairs of regular sunglasses from this company and they fit extremely well (I have a small, youth sized head). I found a pair of prescription glasses that I'm interested in. They have polycarbonate lenses and you can get progressive lenses, and transition lenses are also available. It ain't cheap though. The pair I am looking at are mid range and what I want on them (transition, progressive RX, anti-fog coating) will run about $300. I really liked the top range but I don't want to drop $500 on a pair of shooting glasses. I would also use these glasses when I cycle, which is another passion of mine.
The way I see it, I spent anywhere from $400 plus on a firearm. I should invest in something I can wear indoors and out without needing to switch out lenses, and no distraction.
Lately I have been using SSP glasses with the top focal, and they work but they fog up a lot at the range, especially toward the end of my sessions...and the line is a distraction. I have been looking into prescription glasses for shooting. I have a few pairs of regular sunglasses from this company and they fit extremely well (I have a small, youth sized head). I found a pair of prescription glasses that I'm interested in. They have polycarbonate lenses and you can get progressive lenses, and transition lenses are also available. It ain't cheap though. The pair I am looking at are mid range and what I want on them (transition, progressive RX, anti-fog coating) will run about $300. I really liked the top range but I don't want to drop $500 on a pair of shooting glasses. I would also use these glasses when I cycle, which is another passion of mine.
The way I see it, I spent anywhere from $400 plus on a firearm. I should invest in something I can wear indoors and out without needing to switch out lenses, and no distraction.
KillerFord1977
SAINT
Having had cataract surgery in both my eyes, your eyes get corrected back to the natural state of your eye. Whether thats near or far sighted.
If you need glasses before surgery, then you need glasses after.
Only way to overcome this is have the cataract surgery implants be adapted to meet your vision requirements for glasses. If you needed bi focals before surgery, you’re going to need them after. Etc..
You can overcome this with the implants being upgraded to have the RX built in to your inplant.
I have crap eyesight and needed heavy Rx glasses. My implants were upgraded to trifocals to match my glasses needs before cataracts developed. (Out of pocket expense). With this adjustment, I see 20/20 near and far with built in trifocal implants.
Everyone is unique. Talk to your eye dr to see before cataract surgery your options for implants. Some choose no surgery implant upgrades and just wear glasses after surgery to save on the $$$ expense. I chose to shell out the $$$ for upgraded inplants and ditch the glasses.
If you need glasses before surgery, then you need glasses after.
Only way to overcome this is have the cataract surgery implants be adapted to meet your vision requirements for glasses. If you needed bi focals before surgery, you’re going to need them after. Etc..
You can overcome this with the implants being upgraded to have the RX built in to your inplant.
I have crap eyesight and needed heavy Rx glasses. My implants were upgraded to trifocals to match my glasses needs before cataracts developed. (Out of pocket expense). With this adjustment, I see 20/20 near and far with built in trifocal implants.
Everyone is unique. Talk to your eye dr to see before cataract surgery your options for implants. Some choose no surgery implant upgrades and just wear glasses after surgery to save on the $$$ expense. I chose to shell out the $$$ for upgraded inplants and ditch the glasses.
belladonna
Ronin
I have a friend who chose to do this, and she told me Tricare covered most of it. I will definitely be researching this a lot before I ever have to have the surgery.
BassCliff
Professional
Hi,
I just thought I'd mention another solution that has worked for me, a cheaper solution than a whole new pair of glasses. I bought some stick-on diopters and used them on one of my old pair of shooting glasses. For example:
It's not a perfect solution for everyone, but it's cheap enough to give it a try without breaking the bank. The resin lenses are stick-on and can be trimmed with a good pair of scissors if necessary. Just a thought.
I would suggest using the lens only on your dominant eye in order to see a clear sight picture, use your non-dominant eye/peripheral vision for the target.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
I just thought I'd mention another solution that has worked for me, a cheaper solution than a whole new pair of glasses. I bought some stick-on diopters and used them on one of my old pair of shooting glasses. For example:
It's not a perfect solution for everyone, but it's cheap enough to give it a try without breaking the bank. The resin lenses are stick-on and can be trimmed with a good pair of scissors if necessary. Just a thought.
I would suggest using the lens only on your dominant eye in order to see a clear sight picture, use your non-dominant eye/peripheral vision for the target.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff