Scopes and wearing glasses

[BSK]

Anyone done any research on how wearing glasses changes the image transmitted through a scope? I ask because I'm having trouble seeing through a scope unless I use the lower bifocal section of my progressive bifocals. Is this normal, or does it indicate a need for new glasses? Is there any way to compensate for this so looking through the upper "distance" section of bifocals is the clearest view?

 

[TheLBLman]

Is there any way to compensate for this so looking through the upper "distance" section of bifocals is the clearest view?

BSK, I'll tell you how I personally deal with it, although what works for me, may not work for you.

Regarding bifocals, they just don't work in this situation.
You may need a pair of glasses for long distance, another pair for close viewing.
The first solution is to carry two pair of glasses.

While hunting, I typically just don't wear either pair.

I adjust my scope to provide my scope eye perfect clarity when I look thru the scope WITHOUT glasses.

Also, I carry low-power porro prism binoculars set for my eyes WITHOUT wearing glasses.
I'm continuously scanning with these porro prisms, and "seeing" much better than I ever did with young naked 20/20 eyes.

The only other alternative to the above is to wear contacts,
but just as with glasses, you may find bifocals don't work well.

 

[backyardtndeer]

While hunting, I typically just don't wear either pair

Same here. Granted my eyes are not really that bad and I honestly really only use them when reading small print and driving at night. I do have no line bifocals though. I won't get bifocals again, will get a pair of reading glasses and a pair of long distance.

While hunting I find myself always sticking my glasses in a pocket whether I am using my binoculars or not. My scopes are all setup without wearing my glasses.

 

[pockets]

Yea, smaller frames and just look over them. I try to use my old glasses that are smaller.

 

[BSK]

Unfortunately, without glasses on the image is extremely blurry. My distance vision has gotten bad enough to require correction.

I've turned the eye-piece WAY back and this has helped some, but I'm afraid to turn it too far.

 

[TheLBLman]

Unfortunately, without glasses on the image is extremely blurry. My distance vision has gotten bad enough to require correction.

I've turned the eye-piece WAY back and this has helped some, but I'm afraid to turn it too far.

Your best hunting solution may actually be to go to contacts, then have reading glasses for when needed.

 

[BSK]

Unfortunately, can't wear contacts. The image through the scope isn't too terrible. Reticle fairly clear, just not the "crisp" image I can see with my glasses on. In fact, overall, I think the scope is a half-step up from my Nikon Monarch. Even a full step up for light transmission.

 

[fairchaser]

I'm a competitive shooter and wear glasses. I can tell you that it doesn't work with progressive lenses. Between your eyes refocusing and you looking through a different magnification as you move your head up and down, it's just a good recipe for a headache. I do what was suggested earlier by focusing my scope to my naked eye and looking over my glasses to shoot. This actually works great except when I'm trying to also see wind flags down range. But I manage ok. For hunting I just focus through my glasses which isn't ideal but for a single shot, I manage fine. I might get some single strength glasses just for hunting but then I couldn't focus on something close like a phone. Basically it sucks to get old and not be able to see as well.

 

[Tenntrapper]

I wear progressive trifocals. The problem I have is..the script doesn't go to the edges of the lens. With my head canted a bit on the stock, it has me looking around the script. Messes with me badly. I've asked if there was a way they could grind the script to the edges...still waiting for answer. It's time for new glasses but I'm trying to hold off till I have an answer.

 

[TheLBLman]

. . . . overall, I think the scope is a half-step up from my Nikon Monarch.
Even a full step up for light transmission.

Wow.
I'm very surprised to hear this, especially from you
Just goes to show how the glass quality has improved over time relative to the retail cost,
and, that you weren't as biased towards Nikon as I had assumed
I genuinely figured the Monarch was better glass.

 

[tellico4x4]

I've stuck with the ole line bifocals for this very reason. Easy to look above the line to shoot or below for phone.

 

[tndave59]

I wear progressive lenses and quite honestly do not wear them when shooting, using binoculars or hunting. Just came get them to work.

 

[RobDooley]

been wearing progressive bi-focal lenses for years. No problems here.

 

[BSK]

been wearing progressive bi-focal lenses for years. No problems here.

I am beginning to believe the problem is my current prescription, which is more than 2 years old. I've noticed I'm tilting my head back to look through the "progression" into the lower reading glass area to see long distance. That means I'm not looking through the "distance" part of my glasses to see long distance clearly. A new prescription and glasses are in order. Dang I hate getting old. And it happens so fast...

 

[TheLBLman]

There was a time when a day seemed an eternity.
Now the years seem to pass like days.

And when my age is asked, I have to think about it before answering.

 

[BSK]

And when my age is asked, I have to think about it before answering.

Isn't that the truth! I forget how old I am all the time. Have to think about current year and birth year to figure it out.

 

[ttf909]

Try a high end optic and see if it's better.
Kinda a different direction but
Because of astigmatism my belief is thats why most all red dot optics appear to star burst instead of a dot except for eotech.

 

[kamml]

Years ago I wore contacts full time. When hunting I would keep the contact in my left eye and not wear anything in my right eye that I used for the scope. That gave me pretty good distance vision and excellent eyesight through the scope.

 

[TNGunsmoke]

I wear progressive trifocals. The problem I have is..the script doesn't go to the edges of the lens. With my head canted a bit on the stock, it has me looking around the script. Messes with me badly. I've asked if there was a way they could grind the script to the edges...still waiting for answer. It's time for new glasses but I'm trying to hold off till I have an answer.

I have the old fashioned lined bifocal, I wind up lifting my glasses and tilting them to the left so I can see through the bifocal portion, if they ground it all the way to the edge I wouldn't have to do it that way. I may have to see if that's an option. Sure would be nice.

 

[BSK]

Try a high end optic and see if it's better.
Kinda a different direction but
Because of astigmatism my belief is thats why most all red dot optics appear to star burst instead of a dot except for eotech.

It's really a matter of having a current glass prescription. I'm going to have mine updated in the next few weeks. I noticed I was looking through the progression to bifocal to see long distance, which means my eyes have gotten worse.

 

[BSK]

Years ago I wore contacts full time. When hunting I would keep the contact in my left eye and not wear anything in my right eye that I used for the scope. That gave me pretty good distance vision and excellent eyesight through the scope.

Sadly, I've tried contacts, and just can't do it. Can't stick my finger in my eye, no matter how many times I've tried.

 

[DaveTN]

It's really a matter of having a current glass prescription. I'm going to have mine updated in the next few weeks. I noticed I was looking through the progression to bifocal to see long distance, which means my eyes have gotten worse.

I wear progressive's. They suck for using a scope. But I can shoot without them. When you get new glasses you can probably tell the Doc what you want to do and he can hook you up with a cheap 2nd pair just for shooting that aren't progressive or bifocal. That's my plan next time anyway.