Cataract Surgery & iron sights

[xr650rRider]

Best solution for irons pre/post cataract. One thing they don't mention enough, the cataract removal will never give you your 20 year old eyes back.

 

[powderbrake]

I have used some sort of lens on my shooting eye forever.

Around 40, I developed presbyopia, so I could see far, but needed readers. I was doing mostly handguns at that time, so I took my guns to my optician, and assumed the stance, and he held lenses in front of my eye until I found the one that cleared up the front sight. Later I made a wood stick with a handle and used i/4 square keystock to place at the rear sight and front sight distance. (While the optometrist didn't mind the guns , I felt maybe his staff would complain.) I had 1911 length pistols, and Olympic Free pistol, and a 7 3/8 Model 41, and I had lenses for each of them.

From 40 years old to 88, I must have bought 15 or 20 different lenses. I had cataract surgery, and opted for the distance vision, and it did not affect my lens purchases. You need to be able to see that front sight clearly, you need eye protection when shooting, why not buy a set of lenses that will make the sights clear?

If you have a favorite pair of frames, get lenses that fit it. If you use Knobloch or Gehmann glasses , get the lens for them. If your optometrist doesn't like guns, make a long stick with something sticking up at the front and rear sight ;location of your competition rifle. Make sure it hits your shoulder, and the distance to the front and rear sights is correct.

We spend so much money on stuff for our hobby, the lens costs are not a significant roadblock, and you have to see that front sight!

 

[ronsatspokane]

These days there are a number of options. The basic lens is mono focal and paid for by insurance. The next level up is fixed focal length (near or far) and can correct astigmatism. The next level up from that is multi-focal. They will focus at near, mid and far distances. The next level yet is what are called light adjustable lenses. The advantage of these is that they use UV light over a period of 6 weeks to adjust the lens to the vision you want. In the meantime you must wear special UV blocking glasses until the lenses are set. Of course these upgrades cost out of pocket with cost increasing at each type. Insurance will not cover them. I wanted excellent vision in my shooting eye so I went for the light adjustable in that eye. Having worn glasses all my life I am now 20/15. I have never had that sharp of vision. The other eye I am thinking about the multi-focal lens. I no longer wear glasses and that lens may eliminate the need for cheaters as well. I meet with the surgeon next week to talk about it.

 

[LeoHuhta]

Just had a consultation with my surgeon last week.
She has me a bit confused. My match rifle front sight is 32 to 33” from my eye.
The surgeon cannot understand that I’m not using a scope and doesn’t seem to understand the aperture sights.
She said the Toric lens is for astigmatism and that won’t really help my dominant eye.

My question is do I get a lens to see the target at 600 or 1000 yrds and I’ll be ok with the front sight?
And if needed get corrective lens for my shooting glasses to see the front sight?

I just heard there is an optometrist in Phoenix that has a 200 yrd range behind his office.
I would like to talk with him in February when I’m out there.
Does anyone have his contact info.

I’m in no big hurry for the surgery but I need to better understand my options.

 

[jk80]

At 75, had cataract surgery last fall. Selected lens for distance only n correcting astigmatism , I use readers for close work.
For iron sight shooting the remaining issue is floaters! They affect my shooting as much as the cataracts. The reviews on the risks of eliminating the floaters give me pause to have them addressed. The older surgeons do not recommend the procedures while the younger ones say the risks are very low. Who do u believe?
Shooting irons is a roll of the dice. One practice I do very well and the next is disappointing. The floaters really affect the quality of my sight picture. Scope does not seem to be affected.

I've had small floaters for years. Finally had one 4 years ago that was HUGE!! It caused me grief doing anything, reading, using a computer and shooting. I talked to a specialist and was told a vitrectomy was able to take care of it. I was told the success rate was almost 99 percent. Thought about it a bit and had it done, and it's been like a miracle. It was done recently on the left eye after another large floater occurred after cataract surgery. Both went well. After cataract surgery and the vitrectomys I have 20/20 in one eye and 20/15 in the other, and clear vision with absolutely no floaters. I'm not recommending you have it done but it was worth it to me. If you decide to have it done DO NOT watch the YouTube videos. Its one case where ignorance really is bliss! Lol. Whatever you decide, best of luck. Until you have floaters no one realizes how it can affect things.

 

[bsekf]

I ordered bifocals for my Ranger Sporters, which are prescription (I got a bunch of color clip-ons). First pair I couldn't wear, bifocal was too high in the lens. Waiting for the second pair which will have progressives in them. Now I find out you can buy a "stick on" magnifier that you can cut to fit. Goes on the inside of your lens, are removable and the reviews are pretty good, Amazon<$20. Not sure what happens if you clean them aggressively. I got sick of hauling readers around to read prices and menus.

 

[gkgeiger]

I had the floaters removed last year, what a difference. I just had my first Cataract removed and I couldn’t be happier. I can’t get over the increase in brightness. Looking forward to the next.

 

[Hector]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences.
Sounds like what my surgeon suggested with correcting my distance is the way to go.

Some of the issue if have is the with the cataracts is it was forming l line right in the center of the lens at my focal point. Hopefully this gets rid of it.

My dominate eye is my right, had my left set for distance and right for reading, can see through scope, or see irons just fine, never wear glasses unless really fine reading. Got my readers from the Dollar store. I am 82, surgery 5 yrs. ago.