Blurry Vision

[ept000]

I have a problem that during a long day of shooting I start to get blurry vision. I shoot with one eye only, and couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with both eyes open. I have been to the eye doctor for a full check up, and I have excelent vision bothe close up and far away. When I asked him about the blurry vision while shooting it became clear that he was not pro gun. He had no tips at all to fight this problem. So, do some of you guys have the same problem? Have you found anything that helps?

[Murphy's Law]

Not have a solution....but if it makes you feel any better, the same thing happens to me. When I first start off I can see the sights (meps) perfectly on my G23. Then after about 100 rounds or so, everything gets kind of fuzzy and I'm just trying to focus on the front sight. Think this is quite common. I do have to admit, the lightening at the indoor range is not the best to start with anyhow....actually rather dark when you get right down to it. I wouldn't worry or give it a second thought IMHO.
:yikes:

[BIGGUNGOBOOM]

yea the same thing happens to me and i need to take a break

[lcarreau]

Didn't your momma warn you that would make you go blind? You better quit before it gets worse. :)

[ept000]

Didn't your momma warn you that would make you go blind? You better quit before it gets worse. :)
Ha! In the words of Dave Atel, sure I do it, and I'm going to keep doing it, I do it like if I keep doing it I might win something!

[soundwave]

Ha! In the words of Dave Atel, sure I do it, and I'm going to keep doing it, I do it like if I keep doing it I might win something!

:animlol: Dave Atel is great.

[gwalchmai]

Well, when you go to your new, pro-gun, eye doctor, ask him if he has any tips to help you shoot with both eyes open. ;)
(Not kidding a bit - you patronize his business because of your activities. If he doesn't support them why support him?)

One trick that may help is to put a piece of masking tape over the lens of your shooting glasses of your non-dominant eye. That way the image won't interfere and it'll help you get used to keeping both eyes open.

[copdills]

funny my vision is Blurry before I start shooting LOL I have got to get some new Glasses:patriot::rofl:

[Pitmaster]

Well, when you go to your new, pro-gun, eye doctor, ask him if he has any tips to help you shoot with both eyes open. ;)
(Not kidding a bit - you patronize his business because of your activities. If he doesn't support them why support him?)

One trick that may help is to put a piece of masking tape over the lens of your shooting glasses of your non-dominant eye. That way the image won't interfere and it'll help you get used to keeping both eyes open.

I would just about bet there is an ophthalmologist or optometrist that is a shooter in your town. Ask around the shooting range or gun shop for a recommendation. I see an ophthalmologist who doesn't know much, but my wife's optometrist is a trap shooter. I asked one of the assistants when buying glasses and they were able to work with me. Had someone else in the basement who knew what he was doing. They can measure the distance between your eyes and sights to fine tune the prescription. Even suggested bringing in the gun for the measurement.

Ask around.

[webyourbusiness]

I would also get a new eye doc. I don't pay highly paid professionals to have opinions that differ from mine when it comes to my personal choice of legal and completely moral pastimes - they have two choices - my choice or silence. There is another option - they can politely state that they don't agree with my choice of pastime and then say something along the lines of - "But my best advice, given your choice of hobby is as follows... " and then their IMPARTIAL advice.

I rate honesty and BEST advice more than I do my blind allegiance (no pun intended) to any professional I pay for advice.

I know that sounds terrible, but I am paying for their time and I don't want a lecture of even a hint of ongoing disapproval regarding what I am choosing to do in my spare time UNLESS it is seriously hazardous to my health... and even then I have the option to ignore their advice! ;)

[MakeMineaP99]

My ophthalmologist knows I shoot, never heard her express an opinion one way or the other. She can check her politics at my wallet, which is rare for docs these days. She's also a hottie, so even if she doesn't shoot, I'll stick with her.

[kidcop]

What goes blurry? The front sight?

You really need to use both eyes. One way to help keep the non shooting eye open is to place a piece of tape on your shooting glasses on the non shooting eye side.

I shoot rifle competively. I have a pair of shooting glasses which has + .5 diopter less power in the script to make the front sight clean and clear. The non shooting eye side has a flip up black patch which allows me to use my spotting scope. If I forget and close the non shooting eye, I fond I get eye strain fairly quickly.

I also shoot .22 pistol Bullseye during the winter months. The pistol has a dot sight so I get my shooting eye lined up on the target then open my non shooting eye. Takes some work but you will get used to it. My bet is your non shooting eye is really the dominate eye as it is for me.

[slowride]

The only way I can use both eyes is to shoot left-handed, and that ain't gonna happen, unless I'm shooting IDPA and the COF calls for weak hand only!

Wish my right eye was my dominant eye!

When my parents gave me THAT advice I must have been looking at my periodicals with my right eye!!!!

[ept000]

Guys, you're getting way off track here. I don't care what my eye doctors opinions are, the fact is my eyes tested better than perfect. What I'm looking for is do any of you have a way of fighting the blurry vision? Just about every person that shoots that I have talked to has had it happen, and most agree it's because the two eyes are fighting each other. Sometimes it helps a little if I stare at something close up between shoots. So how about some imput from people who have learned how to fight this problem, please. Oh, and shooting with both eyes is out of the question, at least right now.

[MakeMineaP99]

I had the same problem as you when I started shooting. Couldn't shot two with two eyes open.

I don't have a good solution for you. It's taken me the better part of the last five years to get to the point I can shoot with both eyes open. I started shooting skeet during the past year, and that's helped a lot. Now I can't shoot without both eyes open, it's much more natural.

[kidcop]

What I'm looking for is do any of you have a way of fighting the blurry vision? Oh, and shooting with both eyes is out of the question, at least right now.

Ok that burry vision. The solution is simple. 1. Breath 2. Look away once in awhile. If you hold your breath, the eye will start to degrade in about 8 seconds. I've had the front post completely disapear.

I also don't know why you are so against shooting with both eyes open. You should be wearing eye protection to protect those better than average eyes. Get a pair of shooting glasses and put a piece of scotch tape over the none shooting eye. You will find there is less eye strain and just maybe a little less of a blurry eye problem. One of the problems with closing one eye is your face wiggles which in turn makes it harder to stay on the front post.

[xtimberman]

Clay shooters have this problem and can't acquire the target in time to properly lead it. Many of them wear those colored glasses that brighten everything up - the yellow and orange blue-blockers. Have you tried them?

I like to wear them when I'm shooting on cloudy days because they cause the pupils to close up like the aperture on a camera lens - effectively increasing your depth of field (focus). On a bright day, everything is in focus - both sights and the target when I wear the yellow lenses. If you shoot wearing dark sunglasses, the opposite happens - your pupils dilate and reduce your depth of field (focus), effectively forcing your eyes to focus on either the sights or the target - not both.

I'd sure try a set of the yellow shooting glasses before I went back to the eyedoctor.

xtm

[Steel Talon]

Guys, you're getting way off track here. I don't care what my eye doctors opinions are, the fact is my eyes tested better than perfect. What I'm looking for is do any of you have a way of fighting the blurry vision? Just about every person that shoots that I have talked to has had it happen, and most agree it's because the two eyes are fighting each other. Sometimes it helps a little if I stare at something close up between shoots. So how about some imput from people who have learned how to fight this problem, please. Oh, and shooting with both eyes is out of the question, at least right now.

Sounds like eye strain/dry eyes. This is what I would do.(do)

Your eyes are getting dry. Carry some lubricating tear eye drops (the high dollar stuff not visine) and use it. Moist eyes make a hella difference
Check your eye protection. Style and lens color can lead to strain I wearWiley X or Oakleys wrap arounds. It keeps the wind from coming in. I prefer dark lenses, than clear or Yellow contrasting.
Keep your lenses clean. Pay attention to the cleaner fluid,some fluids can irritate the eyes.
Shoot in short runs.
When you shoot are you paying attention to the front site only (best way) or are you trying to keep all things lined up "R/F/T"Hope this helps.

Peace
Steel Talon:coolgleamA:

[kidcop]

I guess it would also help to know which style of shooting you are trying to do.

I'm talking more about belly shooting.

[ept000]

Well I do wear wrap-around glasses, one for better protection, and two because I can't stant a breeze blowing in the side of my glasses. I have not tried yellow lenses yet, I will make a mental note to try that. I'm curious to try covering one lense. That sounds intresting also. I continually try to shoot with both eyes open, but it has been almost imposible. I have been told that my eyes might be fighting for dominance. One method I have heard for determining which eye is dominant is to poke a small hole in a piece of paper, then look at something through the hole at arms length. Now start moving the paper towards your face and which ever eye it ends up in front of is your dominat eye. This hasn't worked for me. Every time I try it, I seem to switch eyes. Rest always help the focus, but that isn't always possible. During a match, if it's your turn to shoot, then it's your turn to shoot.

[Pitmaster]

My ophthalmologist knows I shoot, never heard her express an opinion one way or the other. She can check her politics at my wallet, which is rare for docs these days. She's also a hottie, so even if she doesn't shoot, I'll stick with her.

Is she at SB Clinic?

[Rick]

One method I have heard for determining which eye is dominant is to poke a small hole in a piece of paper, then look at something through the hole at arms length. Now start moving the paper towards your face and which ever eye it ends up in front of is your dominat eye.

The way that I show people to check for eye dominance is..

Make a circle with your hand like you are making the "OK" sign, holding it at arms length. Look through it at an object across the room with both eyes open. Close one eye and see if you still see the same object. repeat with the other eye. The eye that still sees the object through the opening is your dominant eye.

[MakeMineaP99]

Is she at SB Clinic?

Why yes, how'd you know?

[Frost]

Kidcop was on track.

Your breath control needs work.

[ept000]

Kidcop was on track.

Your breath control needs work.
Huh?

[Pitmaster]

Why yes, how'd you know?

I see her too. GP is out at Granger Family. Doc is considering being armed but he needs a little work still. Has 7 kids, 6 boys and 1 girl, and is worried about their safety.

Kintner over in Mishawaka shoots trap. I buy my glasses there and the wife goes there.

[Shadowdog500]

Since we are talking about eyes. After I turned 40 I can either have the sights in focus or the target in focus, but I cant have both in focus at the same time. I tend to move my focus back and forth a few times while squeezing the trigger. This occurs mostly when at an indoor range and I don’t seem to have this problem when outside in sunlight. I’ve worn glasses since I was in high school and my eye doctor says my eyes are fine and that I don’t need bifocals.

Are there any tips on the best way to handle this from those of you who have been dealing with this longer than me?


I wish I had teenage eyes again!!

Chris

[xtimberman]

Are there any tips on the best way to handle this from those of you who have been dealing with this longer than me?

Try some of the bright yellow shooting glasses over your regular prescription glasses (WalMart). The bright lenses cause the pupils of your older eyes to constrict - thus increasing the depth of field for your focus. Depending on the distance between front & rear sights and the target, this should help.

Dark sunglasses do just the opposite - causing the pupils to dilate and decrease the depth of field for your focus. With older eyes, this creates a situation where your eyes can focus just on one sight or the target.

The pupil of the eye works just like the aperture adjustment of a camera and the laws of optical physics are the same. Anyone offering up the advice to wear dark sunglasses to deal with this focus issue obviously doesn't comprehend what you're dealing with and is just plain uninformed.

xtm

[colorado4wheel]

Double Post

[colorado4wheel]

Ok that burry vision. The solution is simple. 1. Breath 2. Look away once in awhile. If you hold your breath, the eye will start to degrade in about 8 seconds. I've had the front post completely disapear.


Breath, blink. It's amazing how we don't do this properly.

I used to shoot with one eye. Now I only reserve that for long distance shots. I think shooting with one eye is possibly part of the issue. For handguns you can train yourself to shoot with the dominate eye. For me it's important to have good sights with the wide rear notch and narrow front blade. It's very possible that the stress of closing a eye is effecting your shooting after a long day.

[Phunahm]

I am left eye dominant and right handed shooter I wear contacts and I cant focus with both eyes either the target's blurry or the front sight is, so I chose to try mono vision contacts..My eye Dr. wanted me to try to try shooting from my right eye but I think that may be to dramatic of a change.....Ill find out on Thursday.....:skep:

[kidcop]

Boys and girls lets not forget to focus on the front sight. The target can be blurry but you still have to focus on the front sight. Front sight, front sight, focus on the front sight.

Sometimes it's hard to convince a eye doc of this. They seem to want to make so you can focus on the target. I had one eye doc write a script so I could see a nats butt at a 1000 yards. I could not focus on the front sight and I shoot like dog doo. I now have a pair of shooting glasses with a script to bring the front sight into focus. A shooting buddy of mine did the same thing with a set of contacts. What the doc's did was to take a small amount of power out of our script for the shooting eye lens. We are both near sighted.