Dealing with vision changes

[tiny68]

As I am approaching retirement in a few years - I hope to pick back up with competitive shooting. I have shot club matches in point blank BR and a little F/Class 15-20 years ago. Kids, life, and responsibilities happened and I haven't shot as much since. Still put together rifles for my kids and do load development for new rifles. The past few year my eyes have changed a lot. I will be 58 next month. Readers are mandatory to read any text on the cell phone. Vision is much weaker in the left eye than the right. When competing previously I worked to shoot with both eyes open to watch flags and crosshair simultaneously as I fired. I shoot a handgun with both eyes open. I thought I was getting proficient at it.

Fast forward 15 years, and the optometrist is talking about cataracts that will be in my line of sight in within 3 years. This Fall I did some long-range pig hunting and was set up to take 500-800 yards shots. The issue was clear view with readers on the reticle or a view of the fields without the readers. I can’t do both and it is only getting worst. Quality optics are getting to be my biggest future expenses for a while. Marginal scopes that worked for me 20-25 years aren’t functional for my eyes today.

How have you guys that have experienced similar changes in vision adjusted and keep shooting at competitive level.

Thanks for any tips, Tim

 

[Walt Krafft]

Get your cataracts fixed. Problem solved. You can not drive at night because of them, right??

 

[Steve h]

Cataract surgery was my option. No regrets.

 

[hoz53]

As I am approaching retirement in a few years - I hope to pick back up with competitive shooting. I have shot club matches in point blank BR and a little F/Class 15-20 years ago. Kids, life, and responsibilities happened and I haven't shot as much since. Still put together rifles for my kids and do load development for new rifles. The past few year my eyes have changed a lot. I will be 58 next month. Readers are mandatory to read any text on the cell phone. Vision is much weaker in the left eye than the right. When competing previously I worked to shoot with both eyes open to watch flags and crosshair simultaneously as I fired. I shoot a handgun with both eyes open. I thought I was getting proficient at it.

Fast forward 15 years, and the optometrist is talking about cataracts that will be in my line of sight in within 3 years. This Fall I did some long-range pig hunting and was set up to take 500-800 yards shots. The issue was clear view with readers on the reticle or a view of the fields without the readers. I can’t do both and it is only getting worst. Quality optics are getting to be my biggest future expenses for a while. Marginal scopes that worked for me 20-25 years aren’t functional for my eyes today.

How have you guys that have experienced similar changes in vision adjusted and keep shooting at competitive level.

Thanks for any tips, Tim

Id also say get the cataract surgery done before you do anything else. that way you have a base to correct from if needed. dont spend a bunch of money on prescription glasses /contacts before surgery cause it wont be any good to you after the surgery. i have to use scopes on the NF level now to see the target very good. make sure you research the different types of lenses for the cataract surgery..

 

[ptf18]

Had "poor" vision from about 9-10 years old. As a competitive shooter I noticed "funny" things in my sight picture which, I found to be the start of cataracts when I turned 60ish. Had new "lenses" installed (both eyes). Best thing since sliced bread. Now at 72, my vision is...pretty good.

If you go for ANY eye work I would tell you to be VERY honest with the "pre-work" vision exam. What I mean by that is when your taking the "read the letters on the chart test", DO NOT try hard (strain) to read the letters. You will get a big A for reading the letters and your "replacements" will be made accordingly. What happens is that once they are installed, your new vision will be "weaker" than what you needed BECAUSE you "strained" to "pass the test" and the lenses will actually be a bit "weaker" than you need. My vision tested to be 20/20 & 20/30..... Naturally the 20/30 is my "shootin eye".......

 

[charlie b]

I am not a competitor but get frustrated with my eyes. My left (non-shooting) eye will get a new lens in a month or two (cataracts). My right eye isn't bad enough yet.

But, my problem is due to a variety of presbyopia where the lens did not harden evenly. I have basically two different lenses in my right eye. When I get tired the brain can't figure out which image to use so I see double (such as a long shooting session). At least the other image is less prominent so I can still shoot with a scope, even if there is another 'ghost' reticle.

And, yes, this causes a real problem when shooting with both eyes open.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

As I am approaching retirement in a few years - I hope to pick back up with competitive shooting. I have shot club matches in point blank BR and a little F/Class 15-20 years ago. Kids, life, and responsibilities happened and I haven't shot as much since. Still put together rifles for my kids and do load development for new rifles. The past few year my eyes have changed a lot. I will be 58 next month. Readers are mandatory to read any text on the cell phone. Vision is much weaker in the left eye than the right. When competing previously I worked to shoot with both eyes open to watch flags and crosshair simultaneously as I fired. I shoot a handgun with both eyes open. I thought I was getting proficient at it.

Fast forward 15 years, and the optometrist is talking about cataracts that will be in my line of sight in within 3 years. This Fall I did some long-range pig hunting and was set up to take 500-800 yards shots. The issue was clear view with readers on the reticle or a view of the fields without the readers. I can’t do both and it is only getting worst. Quality optics are getting to be my biggest future expenses for a while. Marginal scopes that worked for me 20-25 years aren’t functional for my eyes today.

How have you guys that have experienced similar changes in vision adjusted and keep shooting at competitive level.

Thanks for any tips, Tim

You have it all wrong. You do NOT use readers for the reticle. That is insane. A riflescope is an afocal optical device that you view through with your far vision. Toss those readers in the bag when shooting. Use the diopter to refine the image of the reticle, but if your corrected far vision is normal, the diopter setting should be pretty much in the middle.

Do not use those readers with a riflescope.

 

[Straightshooter1]

As I am approaching retirement in a few years - I hope to pick back up with competitive shooting. I have shot club matches in point blank BR and a little F/Class 15-20 years ago. Kids, life, and responsibilities happened and I haven't shot as much since. Still put together rifles for my kids and do load development for new rifles. The past few year my eyes have changed a lot. I will be 58 next month. Readers are mandatory to read any text on the cell phone. Vision is much weaker in the left eye than the right. When competing previously I worked to shoot with both eyes open to watch flags and crosshair simultaneously as I fired. I shoot a handgun with both eyes open. I thought I was getting proficient at it.

Fast forward 15 years, and the optometrist is talking about cataracts that will be in my line of sight in within 3 years. This Fall I did some long-range pig hunting and was set up to take 500-800 yards shots. The issue was clear view with readers on the reticle or a view of the fields without the readers. I can’t do both and it is only getting worst. Quality optics are getting to be my biggest future expenses for a while. Marginal scopes that worked for me 20-25 years aren’t functional for my eyes today.

How have you guys that have experienced similar changes in vision adjusted and keep shooting at competitive level.

Thanks for any tips, Tim

I'm very pleased now having had my cataract surgery, though in my particular case, it wasn't a smooth road to get where I am. I think it's well worth it, even if the road may not be smooth, which really happens only to a low percentage of patients (from what I understand). Last year I posted a couple times about it and maybe it'll help you be prepared just in case your trek isn't as smooth as you expect:

Post in thread 'Has anyone had to change your shooting hand?'

Apr 6, 2025

Or in this case shooting eye. I am a typical righty, buttstock on my right shoulder, right eye on the scope. I am left eye dominant however. I underwent cataract surgery back in February and the difference in my vision was amazing afterwards. A week ago Thursday I noticed vision in my right (scope) eye was suddenly blurry with several floaters. I got back into the eye Dr. Monday morning. He determined that I had a small tear in my retina. Apparently this is not to uncommon after eye surgery especially with patients who are getting long in the tooth. Urgent laser surgery to...

• Straightshooter1

Post in thread 'Progressive contact lenses'

Oct 9, 2025

I have an appointment November 13 for cataract evaluation. I saw your post and I'm wondering how you are doing and if you're glad you got the surgery. Date on your post looks like you're a year out.

Sometimes it takes more effort than you hope for and for me, in the end, it worked out and I'm glad I had the cataract surgery. Last I posted my trek through the process and I'll past it again here:

Last September (2024) I went in for cataract surgery and had multifocal lenses implanted. It was very disappointing to start with. I initially told the doctor, far vision was what was...

• Straightshooter1

 

[RabbitSlayer]

You have it all wrong. You do NOT use readers for the reticle. That is insane. A riflescope is an afocal optical device that you view through with your far vision. Toss those readers in the bag when shooting. Use the diopter to refine the image of the reticle, but if your corrected far vision is normal, the diopter setting should be pretty much in the middle.

Do not use those readers with a riflescope.

Yep. I go in for LASIK surgery tomorrow. The doctor said for shooting and my other favorite hobby, off-roading, I should get both eyes done for distance and will still need readers. Eric Cortina got both eyes done for distance and you can't argue with his results.

You can also get magnifying thingies for your turrets so you dont need the readers. For the scope level you can get an electronic one with a green light when its level. Keith glasscock on winning in the wind uses them.

 

[jpjulian]

I'm one of the odd men out in that I wish I had never had my cataract fixed. Doc has told me 3 times now all is well and as it should be.... BS! I'll leave it there. OP get a second opinion before you let someone cut on the only eyes you have. Best of luck to you and I highly recommend retirement.

 

[Ken]

I thought I would get my cataracts fixed to help my shooting vision. They messed up my right,dominate, eye. I now shoot right handed with my scope offset to the left to use my now dominate left eye. It has worked out OK . Great optics is a must for me. I use S&B on my go to rifle. My advice is don't get it done unless you really need it. Success is not 100%. It has taken a lot of the fun out of my shooting.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I had Lasix when I was 60. It lasted for about 10 years, then things started going south again, minor cataracts and just old age.

I went the whole route. I went to Dr Jeff Whitsett in Houston and had the RX Site lenses put in. These are the lenses that can be adjusted after implantation. It is a little more of a procedure than simple lens replacement, but they can just about guarantee good vision with no glasses.

That was close to five years ago, and I still have close to 20/20 vision.

The big drawback was my insurance would not cover this procedure. It was considered elective. Back then it ran around $8,000.

 

[Bill Norris]

Cataract surgery was a wise move for me. Had the Toric lens put in for distance in one eye and close up in the other. Do not regret it.

 

[dcraig]

I second what Jackie said, but only with a high qualified man doing the job.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Last night was pretty unpleasant after LASIK. Can see pretty well this morning. Confirmed the reticle in the scope with eyes corrected for distance looks great. All my scopes ocular were previously all the way to the right or close which is plus 3. A couple scopes I felt did not have enough diopter adjustment even though it said plus 3 i needed a little more. I can still read the numbers at +3 it just looks tiny. Now when near the middle the numbers look both crisp and big. So far so good! Anxious to go shooting with my new eyes!

 

[Krogen]

I had my first eyeball overhaul done this morning. Next one is in two weeks. Most amazing is that things look blue-ish white instead of sepia. The difference is striking when comparing the left to right eye. Blurriness is starting to go away. I can take the pesky eye guard off tomorrow. The guard, along with the medical tape holding it in place add their own measure of blurriness - a poor lens covered with tape it is.

I got the Vivity EDOF (Extended Depth of Focus) lens. Doc is well-experienced with these and told me with my corneal shapes that I should go with EDOF instead of multi-focal. It trades off less close-range acuity for reduced glare and halo. I should have functional reading acuity but may need readers in dim light or for fine print. Had I gone with multi-focal lenses, there would have been a chance of not needing readers.

This might be called Cadillac instead of cataract surgery. The lenses are pricey. Doc says I should be able to focus on a pistol's front sight and the target simultaneously. I still don't understand how they allow close, intermediate and distance clarity. Bifocal or progressive lenses make sense. You look through a different part of the lens. But when the IOL is stuck in your eyeball, how does THAT work? Doc says the brain adapts. I hope he's not giving my brain more credit than it deserves.

Time will tell if I made the right choice. The doc is highly regarded and I trust him which is a big part of the equation. However, he stopped short of promising all X's in a Bullseye match.