Scopes and eye problems

N

NE223

New member
I have an eye problem called Keratoconus which is making all my shooting sports difficult. It’s a thinning of the cornea which allows the shape of the eye to change causing distorted vision. It was my thought that using a scope would not be a problem but theres an issue with the reticle appearing doubled or slightly doubled and at times the target also doubles. Slight head movements change everything.

Its been an on going problem but shooting yesterday confirmed just how messed up it is. Sometimes at 100 yards the blurring puts me off by as much as 2 inches, so you can imagine what that does when I’m shooting at distance. Overall its really annoying.

I’m sure there are other shooters out there with this problem and I’m trying to find out how they address it. If there are specific scopes, reticles, powers and so on to avoid and ones which actually work better. Any info would be appreciated.
 
Curious..do/can you wear corrective lenses? What other functions..reading, watching TV and so forth gives you trouble..and what can you do well as to vision. What was the outset of your Keratoconus..how did you first become aware of it?

May be some work around that some of us visually challenged folks could offer. May sound silly but Google might be your friend..surely you're not alone.

My vision disability is OLD AGE...I had shooting glasses made specifically for pistol irons, rifle irons and scoped rifles.

Keep after a solution..should be something out there.
 
Just a suggestion because I know nothing of your eye issue. I suspect you are not the only one having an eye issue when shooting a weapon. You may consider contacting the NRA and see if they can recommend an eye specialist or Optometrist who specializes in issue confronting shooters. Contact that guys (or gal) and see what they suggest.

I know after about an hour of shooting at the range, I develope "eye-bounced" and focusing issues. I think it's an age thing we me. It comes and goes but sometimes the target starts to look like theres a fuzzy wreath around it and the once stationary starts moving around in little circles. I've learned to look away and focus on things first closer, then medium and then far away and the bounce stops. So I can only imagine what you are going through in the pain. Good luck and hope you find a solution.
 

Thanks for the replies.

I was diagnosed with this during an eye exam a couple of years ago. I’ve always been nearsighted and wore glass/contacts for years. Then it seemed like nothing really worked to get things into focus and the recognition that it was a little more involved problem. Additionally………….I’ve got old eyes too.

First thing they tried was a gas permeable contact or what I called a piece of gravel because that’s what it felt like in my eye. Shooting wasn’t even an option with those. I got pretty good correction out of eye glasses but those of you who are a bit more “mature” know the challenges of shooting with bifocals.

Now I’m using a new pair of glasses and soft contact lenses designed for astigmatism, it works ok but shooting with a scope is an issue for me. I have a 3x9 Bushnell 4200 on one upper and a Weaver Classic 2x10 on the other. Both are nice and bright but with the Weaver especially I get a lot of doubling on the reticle.

I guess I’m going to need to go and look at some different scopes to see if there’s a difference in the brands. I was even wondering if illumination would make it better or worse. This isn’t a real uncommon disease so I’m sure there’s someone else out there with it who shoots and hunts.
 
With my contacts I've noticed my shooting eye dry out VERY quick if I shoot with one eye. Try shooting with both eyes open. Your dominant eye should take over, if your shooting with it.
 
My "old age eyes" turned out to be cataracts. I just got them fixed and now it's 20/20. Yes i am older and will need readers.

I found out that cataracts happen at any age, not just us old farts. If you start needing more powerful scopes every year, go to a ophthalmologist, not an optometrist.

I chose the one with twenty five years experince, this is one place where older was better. It is worth it no matter what the cost. blue
 
Last edited:
I don't know if this will help or not but it might be cheap gamble if it works:

www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0054105229094a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Product_liberal&QueryText=shooting+aid&sort=all&Go.y=0&_D%3AhasJS=+&Nty=1&hasJS=true&No=0&Ntt=shooting+aid&N=0&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=0

I noticed in one of the comments that some one suggested poking a hole in a piece of electrical tape and taping it to your glasses

hope this helps,
Aaron
 
Last edited:
NE223...i truly sympathize with ur problem...have you considered contacting a scope manufacturer?...i was thinking Leupold...they have such a great cust sup reputation...though they aren't medically trained they may know someone in the optics field who can help ya...there used to be an eyeglass/frame optician in phx who was a shooter himself and advertised in many gun mags but that was in the 50's thru 80's...but maybe Leupold knows an equivalent....good luck.
 
Originally Posted By: NE223I have an eye problem called Keratoconus which is making all my shooting sports difficult. It’s a thinning of the cornea which allows the shape of the eye to change causing distorted vision. It was my thought that using a scope would not be a problem but theres an issue with the reticle appearing doubled or slightly doubled and at times the target also doubles. Slight head movements change everything.

Its been an on going problem but shooting yesterday confirmed just how messed up it is. Sometimes at 100 yards the blurring puts me off by as much as 2 inches, so you can imagine what that does when I’m shooting at distance. Overall its really annoying.

I’m sure there are other shooters out there with this problem and I’m trying to find out how they address it. If there are specific scopes, reticles, powers and so on to avoid and ones which actually work better. Any info would be appreciated.


Sorry about your condition, I too have old eyes that are fading fast, mine due to Glaucoma. I to get the double image in the scope you are referring to wearing glasses. I have found that removing my glasses and adjusting the focus on the rear of the scope the double image disappears and the scope adjusts clearly. I only buy good quality scopes (as a necessity now) with the fast focus. (I did before I quit wearing the glasses)
I am not saying this is a fix for you, but as with me I wore glasses for 30 years, and since I retired I have taken them off and only wear reading glasses now it took about 2 weeks to fully adjust(it was like getting new glasses). I can no longer see through the prescription glasses, It has been a couple of months now and I can't believe how good I can see without glasses.
OK what I'm saying is if you can see well enough at distances without glasses then try to focus the scope without wearing glasses you will be amazed how clear you can get it. God Bless, and I truly hope this will help!
Maybe someone else who reads this will benefit from it, I sure hope so.
You young guys out there you better take good care of your eyes, and at 30 get checked for Glaucoma, and other degenerative diseases, it will rob your sight like a thief in the night.
 
Side note..NEVER could shoot with bi-focals including progressive lenses.

One optometrist suggested shooting without glasses and adjusting scope...my seeing-eye dog didn't go for that,LOL.

Good luck..some good feedback here.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top