Advice on Glasses for Shooting

[K22]

Recently a member asked about advice on glasses.

There is an excellent article in the October 2024 AARP Bulletin on glasses primarily directed towards seniors.

 

[Rwfish]

I was able to get used to progressive lenses quickly and have worn them for 14yrs. Always have transition lenses but also separate sunglasses with same script. As others said, larger lenses leave allot more room to move things around to your liking. I have a set of shooting glasses made for pistol comp. that has the corrective portion moved higher to allow me to keep my head down to see the sights. You see allot of shooters turtle necking because regular scripts have the bifocal set low for reading. I have found this is also important bench shooting to insure you can keep your head in position and still see the flags well. I also had a pair that had correction in the dominate eye lens and none in the other which worked but I just couldn’t get used to them.. Best advice, work with a good optometrist to get something that will fill your needs and spend the $$ required..

 

[Bob3700]

I will add an amen to Walt Krafts suggestion- Decot Hi-Wides. Those are large lens shooting glasses that the nose piece is adjustable for height. That lets ur eye be in the optical center of the lens for best vision in position. They make Rx lenses as well as bi-focal lenses with many tints. I opt for no tint as shooting irons u need all the light u can get. Big lens also offer better protection in case of a gun/ ammo mishap.

 

[jds holler]

I'll bet that if it was in AARP, it wasn't geared towards shooters. jd

 

[TRSR8]

i just got my first pair of glasses and it is an adjustment.

i have been struggling with reading flags seeing crosshairs at the same time.

shooting will never be the same.

Not a problem.
i use Decot Hywyd shooting glasses , lite target orange, for BR.
When I had my eyes done, two different lenses, made me nearsighted in left eye, couldn't see flags well with left eye.
Got a prescription for shooting, left lens only, now, flags nice and clear.

 

[Jon Leary]

If your problem stems from growing cateracts, get them fixed! I like Decots with a lined bifocal. Clear with an anti reflective coating is what I am using now. Lite rose is also nice.

You are probably ready for cataract surgery do not delay. Your eyes will be so much better you will b amazed. They can put in lens for different disciplines.

 

[6MMsteve]

I wear bifocals but I have a older pair of single vision glasses I wear when I shoot, it's easy to see through the scope with single vision glasses, progressive, bifocals, trifocals will cause issues for me, someone else may be fine, but for me single vision glasses work the best

 

[Longtrain]

I had Decot’s made with a lined bifocals so I could read the scale on my rear iron sights. Also, since I had trouble focusing on the front sight, Decot sent me a set of diopter lenses in different powers. I replaced my right lens with a diopter lens and tried to focus on the front sight. The lens that gave me a clear focus of the front sight was ordered, it worked great but, of course the black target ball was pretty fuzzy. But, I still shot well.
Finally, I went over to the dark side and started shooting F Class. I still use the Decot’s since they provide excellent protection. I use the diopter right lens for handgun shooting, I can see and focus on that front sight too.

 

[danny]

Recently a member asked about advice on glasses.

There is an excellent article in the October 2024 AARP Bulletin on glasses primarily directed towards seniors.

I hope that AARP does not know that this article may be used to help people who are shooters.

Danny

 

[dhagerty40]

I hope that AARP does not know that this article may be used to help people who are shooters.

Danny

it didn't. It mainly talked about people wearing progressive or bifocal lenses have a higher tendency to fall..

 

[bsekf]

Harold Morgan told me that color wasn't as important as light/dark. The lens should be just dark enough to almost cause you to squint. Different colors will make the bird stand out in different backgrounds. Light red with a green background and the birds appear yellow.

I wear clear or light yellow when hunting, tried transitions and would never wear them hunting, they don't transition fast enough. Can't imagine trying to wear bi-focal/progressives to shoot. Single lens shooting glasses like Ranger or Decot, fitted by a professional who shoots. Unfortunately, Harlod has left the range.

 

[Bob3700]

Am sure that those of u who actually shoot iron sights have experienced the different sight picture in bright sunlight vs overcast day. Front aperture opens up on overcast day, closes down in bright sun light. Also, if u have colored filters on ur rear sight, on bright days u can use a light / medium grey filter to cut the glare off the target. U can see the difference.

 

[hpshooter]

I will add an amen to Walt Krafts suggestion- Decot Hi-Wides. Those are large lens shooting glasses that the nose piece is adjustable for height. That lets ur eye be in the optical center of the lens for best vision in position. They make Rx lenses as well as bi-focal lenses with many tints. I opt for no tint as shooting irons u need all the light u can get. Big lens also offer better protection in case of a gun/ ammo mishap.

++++I have used these since the early 80's. Originally had the focal length on the right lens set at the distance of the front site on an M1-A. In 2000 had lens implants, right eye lens optimized to same distance.

The current right lens in the Decots is a plain lens and it works well with optical sights.