Bi-focals and shooting

[uptime]

I just returned to shooting after being away many years of working for retirement. Now, I need bi-focals and I'm having a hard time aiming my handguns. The reading portion is needed to see the gun sights clearly and the distance portion is needed to see the target. This requires me to move my head slightly before firing.

I'm sure there are plenty of other shooters who wear glasses and have figured out how to aim without having to move their head. Would transition lenses make any difference? How have you solved the problem?

[BT2Flip]

Just look across the sights ...you can line them up while focusing on the target "which rests upon the center of the front sight...
if you can't see the target aim lower ( practice,practice,practice)

[Equalizer_2]

Try it with tri-focals.

Without using optical sights or lasers you have to find a compromise that will allow you to see the front sight clearly and the rear sight and target out of focus.

If you are using some type of optical sight then get you a pair of single vision glasses that let you see out a ways and not have the reading prescription. Unfortunately those of us with eyes that need help we have to find a compromise.

[irocpractice]

Funny you ask,having wrestled with this for years I,
1) find a dispensing opitician,(pref. a shooter) who will ADJUST THE PRESCRIPTION FOR DISTANCE FROM YOUR EYE. So, for example,the distance starts at the back sight with your arms fully extended.It took me about two years to get it right for me. 2)have cataract surgery.Now I only need cheaters for reading really small print.

[wannadiesel]

Use whatever portion of your glasses is necessary to see the FRONT sight clearly. Don't worry if the rear sight and the target are blurry. Focus on the front sight and you will have good results. Even perfect eyes can only focus on one thing at a time, and that one thing needs to be the front sight.

[n2moto]

Have shooting glasses made. Take a pencil with you hold it up and when you can see the pencil tip clearly have that made into a lens. Then have the other lens made for distance.

[Raynokla]

I wear "no-line bifocals" or progressives.
They are much better for shooting.

[Soggybottomboy]

Wannadiesel is exactly right. When people ask me whether they should wear glasses when shooting, I tell them do whatever you need to do to make the front sight crystal clear. I have perfect vision, praise the lord, and my rear sights and target are always blurry.
Welcome back to shooting!

SBB

[Pull Ya]

Great information. Thanks!
Jay

[Boatnik]

Try taking a "grease pencil" and marking the glasses where the point of aim is when you have a good sight picture. You will need a trusted friend to helpThen take piece of electrical tape, punch a hole in it to use as an appeture and afix it to the lense so the hole is over the mark. It works kind of like the small aperature in a camera lens and increases the focal length of your eye.