I frequently have a real problem with eye fatigue. Last time I was out shooting, about 50% of the time my target was blurry. The target would go in and out of being in focus. I’ve tried closing my eyes between shots and taking frequent breaks. Would I have better luck trying to shoot with both eyes open? I’ve tried it before but after 2 shots I quit. I’ve also heard of people doing things to strengthen their eye muscles. I’m only 43 years old, which is old old, but not that old!
Eye Fatigue
- Thread starter leclairk
- Start date
Mark W
Gold $$ Contributor
Eye fatigue while shooting is a horrible problem for me. I’m right handed with an extremely dominant left eye so shooting with both eyes open is not an option for me. I’ve tried shading the left lense of a pair of shooting with limited success.
Oh yea, I’m 52 now. It’s always been a problem but it’s much worse now.
Oh yea, I’m 52 now. It’s always been a problem but it’s much worse now.
I have wet macular degeneration from diabetes and have good and bad eye days ...I shoot with both eyes open,but find on bad days I have to shut one eye at times . Quality scope set at the right eye relief is critical for me,along with having the crosshairs focused and crisp. Some scopes I just can't use any longer,only takes a few shots before I can feel it .
First - see an eye doctor to rule out any medical issues with your eyes especially "dry eye". If you're shooting in cold windy conditions often this will cause the eyes to tear up which can distort your focus. Dry them regularly.
Second - train yourself to shoot with both eyes open. Squinting with one eye closed can induce strain.
Third - make sure your scope is positioned at the optimum eye relief for you. If its not set for you this can induce fatigue and strain.
Fourth - as with shooting an open sight pistol or rifle, your eye can't focus on two objects at the same time. Train yourself to focus on the cross hair - not the target.
Fifth - don't try to shoot to many meaningful shots in one range session. Take your time between shots and mentally check off all the fundamentals before you pull the trigger. Aim for quality practices - not quantity. I'm fortunate since I'm close to the range so I can limit my practice sessions to one rifle and no more than 15 shots. It takes me over an hour to shoot those 15 shots. Adopt a mental attitude that each shot counts. If because of your distance to the range you need to shoot more than one rifle at a range session take a break between rifles and reset yourself mentally. Whatever you do, don't rush a range session - only bad things can happen if you do that.
Second - train yourself to shoot with both eyes open. Squinting with one eye closed can induce strain.
Third - make sure your scope is positioned at the optimum eye relief for you. If its not set for you this can induce fatigue and strain.
Fourth - as with shooting an open sight pistol or rifle, your eye can't focus on two objects at the same time. Train yourself to focus on the cross hair - not the target.
Fifth - don't try to shoot to many meaningful shots in one range session. Take your time between shots and mentally check off all the fundamentals before you pull the trigger. Aim for quality practices - not quantity. I'm fortunate since I'm close to the range so I can limit my practice sessions to one rifle and no more than 15 shots. It takes me over an hour to shoot those 15 shots. Adopt a mental attitude that each shot counts. If because of your distance to the range you need to shoot more than one rifle at a range session take a break between rifles and reset yourself mentally. Whatever you do, don't rush a range session - only bad things can happen if you do that.
dc.fireman
Sling & Irons!
Yes. You should be shooting 'both eyes open' (that's how they're designed to work). If necessary, employ a blinder over your non-aiming eye if you need to do so. I'm 48, and shoot metallic aperture sights, and scope in both smallbore and large bore competition. For irons, I use a blinder on a set of shooting frames; for scope I find I don't need the blinder.
A visit to your local ophthalmologist is probably in order; peoples eye's begin changing (deteriorating) at some point around their mid 40's. Many eye doctors understand your needs if you explain that you're a shooter. Some can even order the correct lenses ground for shooting glasses, if you explain what it is you're after. For example, "I need my front sight post to be sharp on a 25" sight radius, but my target at 600 yards can be slightly fuzzy."
Good luck - gettin' old ain't for sissy's, but it sure beats the alternative.
-tc
I’ll second that it’s a strong chance it’s barrel mirage (especially if it tends to happen more often later in your strings). I get people at my club who say almost the exact same thing and it goes away once we throw a mirage band on there.
Mark W
Gold $$ Contributor
I guess it’s possible to see mirage and think it’s eye fatigue but once you have eye fatigue you will certainly know the difference!! Considering the OPs age and the fact that he’s shooting with one eye closed makes me think that he might just know what he’s talking about.
Fair enough. Just giving options since I’ve seen it happen more than once.
No 1. 43 - really, old.?? no.
No 2. I'm 61 & see the crosshairs clear as can be, and the target. There is something amiss, at your age.
No.3 I'd suggest a visit to your eye dr. Also, if your scope is sub-par that's 75% of the issue.
No. 3A Mirage vs, eye strain - easily discernible. not the same at all.
N0 4. When out I'm shooting 6-8 hours at Pdogs, the eye muscles would fatigue. Others call that P Dog eye, but it was real fatigue.
A high quality scope will help.
No 5. Drinking less alcohol- if applicable in your case - will help
No 6. Both eyes open will help. are you right eye dominant, shooting right eye. only?
No 2. I'm 61 & see the crosshairs clear as can be, and the target. There is something amiss, at your age.
No.3 I'd suggest a visit to your eye dr. Also, if your scope is sub-par that's 75% of the issue.
No. 3A Mirage vs, eye strain - easily discernible. not the same at all.
N0 4. When out I'm shooting 6-8 hours at Pdogs, the eye muscles would fatigue. Others call that P Dog eye, but it was real fatigue.
A high quality scope will help.
No 5. Drinking less alcohol- if applicable in your case - will help
No 6. Both eyes open will help. are you right eye dominant, shooting right eye. only?
Agree with everything here. I have the same issue with the blurring. Addressed it at the eye doctor. He told me it's classic dry eyes, it happens, especially to older guys. One of the recommendations was to use lubricating eye drops such as Systane. I was using regular allergy eyedrops, had no idea lubricating eyedrops were a thing. Also advised warm wash cloths over the eyes prior to shooting. I think his advice is helping.
I suffer from chronic dry eyes, if I do not use drops while shooting it gets bad. I can take a break, use eye drops and get back in the game. Fatigue to me would be if I had to be on glass for hours on end, like RO'ing a match, it's different.
A left wind coming across my face from 9-11 oclock eats me up, right eye shooter, and certain glasses that let it swirl inside are worse than no eye pro.
A left wind coming across my face from 9-11 oclock eats me up, right eye shooter, and certain glasses that let it swirl inside are worse than no eye pro.
Well I’m 72 and been fighting eye fatigue for over 60 years of shooting. Here’s a trick I learned many moons ago to combat eye fatigue. After breaking the shot look at something close to you, ammo or your elbow, then something far away like the tree line. Go back and forth several times your eyes will come back into focus. This trick won’t stop eye fatigue totally but will prolong your good vision.
Personally I’ve found closing both eyes between shots, keeping both eyes open for shooting or closing the dominant eye between shots useless. For me it means I’ve spent to much time on the sights.
Personally I’ve found closing both eyes between shots, keeping both eyes open for shooting or closing the dominant eye between shots useless. For me it means I’ve spent to much time on the sights.
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