The Gun Counter

Well, I am officially on the path to becoming an old fogey. I went to my eye doctor today, and when we were done, he wrote out a prescription for... bifocals.

Now, this was not a totally unexpected event, as I have for some time now been either removing my regular glasses or looking over them in order to read anything with relatively small text.

I haven't decided yet whether I want to actually do the bifocals, or get separate pairs of glasses for general use (including shooting) and reading/computer use. I would like some help & advice from any of you who have already made this decision.

I would also appreciate any links to online eyeglass dealers, particularly if they do shooting glasses.

Thanks...

My prescription is for bifocals. Instead of getting lined bifocals I went with progressive lenses. They are a little hard to get used to initially, but after a couple days they aren't bad at all...and nobody realizes that I have "old guy" glasses. They do cost more though....

I went with no-line bi-focals a couple of years back. Good for general usage (driving, shooting, reading the menu at restaurants, etc).

But for dedicated computer work and reading I have cheap reading glasses picked up at the local all-in one store. Keep a pair at work and at each computer at home so I don't have to go looking for them.

Did that on advice of my eye doctor (he actually said to get them at the Dollar store). The bi-focals are good for out and about as I don't have to carry/swap them out, but the reading glasses are more comfortable (i.e. don't have to hold my head to the proper angle for the correct magnification to be in line of the screen) over a long period of close in dedicated work.

Got mine at a local eye glass store recommended by my Doctor, He understood what I needed for shooting and worked up some with polycarbonate lenses and good coverage. Came with a set of clip on (actually magnets) sun glasses designed for that frame. I've been happy.

I don't have a very strong prescription (the reading glasses ate +1.25, with a pair of +2.5 for use on the electronics workbench, 20/20 distant vision), so YMMV

I'm a big fan of the magic brownies myself. I ate some before I had LASIK.

Jered wrote:I'm a big fan of the magic brownies myself. I ate some before I had LASIK.

I've considered LASIK, but after having Macular Degeneration, a detached retina, AND a cataract lens replacement, all in my right eye, I'm somewhat disinclined to subject my one remaining good eye to any risk.

Randy, my reading prescription is +1.75 on top of my general prescription. I don't think grocery store readers are going to cut it. I could be wrong, though.

If I do the bifocals, I'm definitely doing the no-line.

I thought I had it bad with astigmatism and 20/400 vision in one eye.

Youch.

Jered wrote:I thought I had it bad with astigmatism and 20/400 vision in one eye.

Youch.

It's actually not that bad. The central vision in my right eye is hosed, but the peripheral is quite good. The only real problem this has caused is in shooting long guns, because I'm right-handed. I tried learning to shoot left-handed, but it didn't work for me. So now I try to find guns with very low combs, or modify the stock if it is too high, so I can shoot right-handed but use my left eye. It looks wierd, but it works for me. I may start another thread about this.

Get combo lenses. Magnifiers for when it's up close, but your regular Rx when farther away.

I don't need regular glasses (yet), but have now been using reading glasses for a couple of years now. My wife got me these safety glasses, which I've found I'm using around the house all the time. They work GREAT!!

308Mike wrote:Get combo lenses. Magnifiers for when it's up close, but your regular Rx when farther away.

What is the difference between combo lenses & bifocals?

Captain Wheelgun wrote:

308Mike wrote:Get combo lenses. Magnifiers for when it's up close, but your regular Rx when farther away.

What is the difference between combo lenses & bifocals?

Don't know, never had to wear glasses so I'm not completely clear on the concept of artificial lenses other than reading (magnifying) glasses. I thought bifocals would have different Rx's for each lens to see accurately at a certain distance.

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable about them can certainly speak more intelligently on the subject than I can.