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Contact Lens Prescription for Shooting?

I am a retired optometrist who has shot benchrest, now f class and prs, very little pistol. Regardless of age, a person can focus at only one distance at a time. So, on a pistol, the pistol sights must be focused and aligned, and this will always leave the target blurred; it has to. As we age we All lose the ability to 'accommodate'/focus on near objects. I find that wearing a pair of reading glasses is all I need for pistol shooting, power based on age, where the distance to pistol sights at arms length is about 16 inches, and that is where a +2.50 will focus. The weaker the reading glasses are, the less blurred the target will be. In PRS matches, there can be quite a number of turret changes, plus variations in lighting, so what works for me is a pair of bifocal shooting glasses. Sometimes I will buy the shooting glasses and add the press-on bifocal segs, in a +3.00, since the turret is about 13 inches away from my eye; I will position them high enough so minimal head movement is required. I have heard of shooters placing them 'upside down' on the lenses.
So for those wearing CLs or had Lasik with a distance only correction, these systems could work: readers for pistol, bifocals for rifle. I could try to address specific situations if you like. BTW, another issue I have seen mentioned is a shooter seeing a double image or ghost image, especially when looking at the reticle. Quite often this is a result of an uncorrected astigmatism(a refractive error) in the prescription. You'll need to seek out a professional to fix that one.

Another option for CL wearers is monovision, one eye for distance the other for near. Many like this system, tho you lose depth perception.

Monovision is the only thing I've found, so far, that works. Shooting PRS type matches, I normally wear a close up contact in my left eye to be able to see turrets, dope card, etc. and nothing in my right eye (I have a fairly weak script) I normally wear bi-focals any other time.
 
I don't believe I recommended otc readers. Go back and reread. But the fact is reading lenses of any kind are made many times thicker, and therefore more impact resistant than any off-the-shelf shooting glasses, so you could make the argument that they are 'safer'. Did not expect criticism. Just trying to help those willing to accept it.
sorry if you took it wrong. Not criticizing just concerned. Most readers I've seen aren't safety lenses. I worked construction as a pipefitter and welded most of my career. Being around grinders, running impact wrenches etc made me very aware of protecting my eyes. I just thought when you said readers most people would think of your typical type you buy at Walgreen. Also lens thickness doesn't mean safety glass as in shatterproof. What was given to us at work wasn't thicker than the glasses I wore before I had lasik done. Just don't want to see someone loss their vision over a misunderstanding. Lighten up. It wasn't meant as an affront to your knowledge as an optometrist.
 
Do not feel like the lone ranger. However, these work great and pretty inexpensive. You can see both the sights and target with them and clear. Just follow his instructions on which power to pick. The diopter is about the size of half dollar. No more peeking out the top or using wrong diopters etc. Been using them for over 10 years

http://shootingsight.com/product/safety-shooting-glasses/
 
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sorry if you took it wrong. Not criticizing just concerned. Most readers I've seen aren't safety lenses. I worked construction as a pipefitter and welded most of my career. Being around grinders, running impact wrenches etc made me very aware of protecting my eyes. I just thought when you said readers most people would think of your typical type you buy at Walgreen. Also lens thickness doesn't mean safety glass as in shatterproof. What was given to us at work wasn't thicker than the glasses I wore before I had lasik done. Just don't want to see someone loss their vision over a misunderstanding. Lighten up. It wasn't meant as an affront to your knowledge as an optometrist.
point taken
 
I presume that with keratoconus(for others, 'bulging/thinning of the front surface of the eye) you already have experience with CLs; there are a number of options, including a 'piggy-back' system where a gas perm lens is fitted atop a soft lens; I have used this system. Keratoconus is always a challenge, as perfect results are often just not achieveable. Transplant is often unavoidable, but with a capable surgeon, results are often satisfactory.
i wore contacts since high school and the kerataconus happened later. the doctors have told me it just may be damage to the cornea not kerataconus .i didnt know about the piggyback system so i apprecate that info. Thank You so much for your help. I will investigate
 

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