Eyesight, sights and optics

[sandpiper]

Farsighted ....  After many frustrating trips to the range trying to see the rear sight, front sight and target through reading glasses I found the answer. First off I'm a big fan of iron sights, I just can't see with the damn things  Since I'm farsighted, I require reading glasses up close but have no problem seeing far away. I can either see the sights or the target but put them all together and something is going to be blurry.

So last night my buddy bought me some bright florescent red dots that are approx. 1" in diameter. I placed one on the center of the target and it was the perfect contrast. I sent the target down 20 yards and was hitting within an inch of the dot consistently. That would have never happened with a plain target.

So now that I have the open sights addressed, I'm ready to move on to an open red dot. Any suggestions? Also, how do you guys address your eyesight concerns?

[breakfastchef]

There are a few ways shooters can offset problems with sight focus.

Visit an optometrist. Explain what you are trying to do and ask to bring a pistol with you. That person might be expereinced in fitting you with proper eye wear. There is a lengthy, but good article online by a guy named Wong, an eyecare doc that explains this process.

I have had some luck with very low power readers at 1.00 power. A .5-.75 would likely be better, but an optometrist would have to make that up. The target gets a little fuzzy, but the sights are in better focus.

Use a blinder on your non-dominant eye. When you close your non-dominant eye, it phsyiologically forces your dominant eye to compensate and dilate in order to collect more light. Dilation leads to decreased depth of field and a more out-of-focus sight picture. With the blind covering one eye, try shooting with both eyes open.

Merit Optical device is an adjustable iris that sticks to shooting glasses with a tiny suction cup. Like a camera, using a smaller aperture for your dominant eye increases depth of field and, thereby, increases your focus. There are a few other similar products on the market.

One thing I find helpful is to worry less about the rear sight and concentrate on the front site and its position on the target. If I remember to do this and forego using the readers, I shoot better - even if things up close a little fuzzy.

Red dots rock. You won't need reading glasses; just point and shoot. You can shoot with both eyes open or one eye shut.

[0351_Vet]

Explain what you are trying to do and ask to bring a pistol with you. That person might be expereinced in fitting you with proper eye wear. There is a lengthy, but good artThere are a few ways shooters can offset problems with sight focus.

Visit an optometrist.

Funny, But so true.        

[pirouge]

I'm 71, and started with poor eyesight. so I just use scopes & red dots. I can handle iron sights on a pistol but not a carbine or rifle. On my 1377c carbine I have a cr. target finder 4x15 scope on it and shoot @ 10m. on my 2240 I use a BSA 30mm red dot.  I love them both, the scope is more precise but a pain to adjust ( no clicks) but does stay locked in, I take down starlings with it, the red dot does not magnify but is great for urban hunting dumpsters at night.