Home Forums Bows and Equipment Eye Glasses for Archery?

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    • Stephen Graf
      Moderator
        Post count: 2429

        So shooting with glasses is a continual struggle. I find the nose piece is prone to block my dominant eye as I try to look down the arrow…

        Anybody find a good pair glasses that doesn’t affect their shooting?

        Or alternatively, a good compensation strategy?

      • sinawalli
          Post count: 222

          Steve Graf wrote: So shooting with glasses is a continual struggle. I find the eye piece is prone to block my dominant eye as I try to look down the arrow…

          Anybody find a good pair glasses that doesn’t affect their shooting?

          Or alternatively, a good compensation strategy?

          Laser eye surgery! Not cheap, but best money I’ve spent! 20/20 seven years later, no reading glasses yet!!

        • Ralph
          Moderator
            Post count: 2580

            Same problem Steve so I just go without them. Fortunately I’m farsighted so it’s not too much of a problem. Good that I shoot instinctively where the arrow is just a blurry thing in my peripheral vision cause if I take a gander at it (the tip of my arrow), it’s blurry anyway.

            I definitely have to keep a pair of glasses handy though, especially if things close at hand need to be tended to, like score keeping or making any sense out of a text message or to see whose calling. Typing a text is a serious don’t do without my specs. Ain’t no telling what I might type and send to someone. 😀 My fat fingers have enough of a problem with those little qwerty boards as it is.

          • raghorn
              Post count: 27

              Try turning your head slightly to the left for RH shooting.

            • Stephen Graf
              Moderator
              Moderator
                Post count: 2429

                Thanks for the tips. I was hoping for some real inspiration though…

                R2 you remind me of the story about the guy that goes to the doctor and explains his problem. He tells the Doc it hurts when he raises his arm. The Doc rubs his chin for a second and then says with great confidence: “My advice to you is don’t raise your arm! That’ll be 50 bucks please” 😯

                I think I’ve got it figured out… I just need to put a pin on the riser and a peep in the string to help me focus. Then I thought i’d add a caliper release and some pulley’s on the limbs, then I’ll get a…. oh well, I guess I’ll just squint.

              • Brennan Herr
                Member
                  Post count: 403

                  Contacts?

                • Ralph
                  Moderator
                    Post count: 2580

                    Steve,

                    Inspiration:? Ha, the old adage,”Pick three hairs and shoot at one”? It’s OK methinks to be able to shoot at the three and I’m sure to hit one. 😀

                    And now it’s my other arm that hurts so I went to a different Doc. 😀 Danged if there ain’t a new system out there that made the price go up.:roll:

                  • Troy Warner
                      Post count: 239

                      R2 wrote: Steve,

                      Inspiration:? Ha, the old adage,”Pick three hairs and shoot at one”? It’s OK methinks to be able to shoot at the three and I’m sure to hit one. 😀

                      Isn’t flock shooting hairs the same as flock shooting birds?:?

                      I’m happy if I can make out the color difference right behind the crease at the back of the shoulder/leg bones, for a place to concentrate on, let alone a single hair. 🙄

                    • Ralph
                      Moderator
                        Post count: 2580

                        I think Mr. Peterson put something on here about a flock of 😀 hares:D here awhile back. 😀 Not see it:?

                        That spot behind the shoulder on a hare?

                        Back to topic, I’m glad that Mr. R2McGoo here is still able to shoot and enjoy.

                        Have a good day. .01″ inch of rain and I’m going out to celebrate.

                      • Troy Warner
                          Post count: 239

                          I too am glad your still around and shooting:D you have to much knowledge we haven’t tapped into! Plus you come up with some of the most interesting threads.:wink:

                          We got just a “hair” more rain here in Clovis than you got. The ground is still damp and we may get another little bit yet today.

                          I normally wear contacts when I’m hunting. It messes up my close up vision….. but that’s what they invented cheater magnifiers for.

                        • Stephen Graf
                          Moderator
                          Moderator
                            Post count: 2429

                            brennanherr wrote: Contacts?

                            I like me glasses. I quit counting the number of times they have saved a poke in the peepers…

                            I reckon I’ll just keep dealing with it.

                            I read on an on-line sport glasses website where they moved the center of focus of their glasses off to the nose side for archers. I guess they must make a right and left hand version. I thought that was good. And the nose piece was removed and replaced by a single lens that goes across the entire face.

                            I may check those out further if I can find the website again.

                          • Fallguy
                            Member
                              Post count: 318

                              No problem with the bow. Pistol sites on the other hand I am still working on.

                            • Forresterwoods
                              Member
                                Post count: 104

                                Contact lenses!

                              • sinawalli
                                  Post count: 222

                                  Steve Graf wrote: [quote=brennanherr]Contacts?

                                  I like me glasses. I quit counting the number of times they have saved a poke in the peepers…

                                  I reckon I’ll just keep dealing with it.

                                  I read on an on-line sport glasses website where they moved the center of focus of their glasses off to the nose side for archers. I guess they must make a right and left hand version. I thought that was good. And the nose piece was removed and replaced by a single lens that goes across the entire face.

                                  Have to agree on the poke in the eye part! I have adopted to bringing along a pair of clear safety glasses for that purpose, especially walking out/in in the dark! When they get scatched up, toss em, get another pair from work.

                                  I may check those out further if I can find the website again.

                                • skinner biscuit
                                  Member
                                    Post count: 252

                                    Steve I have been wearing glasses for about a year now.I have two pair, one I can shoot with and the other I cannot.The difference is the size of the glasses.Small square frames work the best for me.I shoot three under without a problem and I shoot better when I can see better.When you buy a pair put your hand at anchor and if it touches the frame try a smaller pair.Best of luck! Brian.

                                  • Bernie Clancey
                                    Member
                                      Post count: 82

                                      You didn’t mention if your glasses were the newer style progressive lenses. If they are you get blurred vision around the outer edges of the lenses. This can make it difficult to see thru the lenses towards the bridge of the nose. If you have progressives, get a pair with regular lenses and you may find a difference. It made a difference for me.

                                    • Stephen Graf
                                      Moderator
                                      Moderator
                                        Post count: 2429

                                        Berniebac wrote: You didn’t mention if your glasses were the newer style progressive lenses…

                                        I probably should get the progressive lenses, but instead I just have dime store reading glasses spread about. a few in the shop, upstairs, downstairs, by the bed, etc…

                                        So regular lenses it is for me. The problem is really just the nose piece blocking my dominant eye.

                                      • Charles Ek
                                        Moderator
                                          Post count: 566

                                          Berniebac wrote: You didn’t mention if your glasses were the newer style progressive lenses. If they are you get blurred vision around the outer edges of the lenses. This can make it difficult to see thru the lenses towards the bridge of the nose. If you have progressives, get a pair with regular lenses and you may find a difference. It made a difference for me.

                                          Yeah, what he said. I started stumbling in the woods a few years back and couldn’t figure out why. Eventually I linked it with wearing my new-to-me progressive bifocals – I wasn’t seeing the ground properly. I immediately got a single vision pair for the woods, which is all I wear now while in the woods and whenever shooting (three under and instinctive). Makes all the difference!

                                        • tigertrad
                                          Member
                                            Post count: 25

                                            forresterwoods wrote: Contact lenses!

                                            ^^^ This.

                                            Realize this is an old thread, but can be relevant to many as we get older. As one who could read the bottom line of the eye chart until about 42, then started needing “readers,” I was happy to discover bifocal contacts. Doc skewed long distance (3-ft to infinity) view perfect, with close-up possibly needing some assistance of weak reading glasses (for very small print or low light). The freedom from glasses is gratifying in many practical ways beyond archery: playing catch with son, playing golf, shooting a shotgun without the same problem Steve referenced for archery. It does take a few months to get good (read: quick) at putting them in. However, they make lenses that you can wear for six days at a time (breathable “Air Optics”).

                                          • Fallguy
                                            Member
                                              Post count: 318

                                              I just ordered new lenses, they claim to have a improved preifrial correction. I’ll let you know if they as good as advertised in a couple weeks.

                                            • grumpy
                                              Member
                                                Post count: 962

                                                To give some perspective… I don’t remember ever being without glasses. I’ve never had the problem you are describing. Are you sure it is your glasses, and not your nose?

                                                I work for a eye doctor. Have known him for 25 years or so. Thus I haven’t paid for an eye exam in 25 years.

                                                When I started working on slate roofs, he took away the bifocals, as I couldn’t see my feet. Yes, I have titanium frames, and bullet proof lenses, you should too. That is a big safety thing, and goes for any climbing (rocks). I can almost read without glasses, thus have reading glasses.

                                                My big brother got contacts, went out and used the chain saw… If you have warn glasses forever the reflexes to prevent eye injury don’t work as well. He had to go back to the eye doc to get the wood chips out.

                                                I would suggest you go back to the place where you got your glasses, and show them the problem. They should be able to adjust them or find a frame that doesn’t interfere. No charge to adjust, and most insurance allow 2 sets of glasses (frame & lenses) every 2 years. If you could stop by our office either Laura (our glasses mechanic), could adjust them, or Nancy could find a frame.

                                                I’ll ask them tomorrow to see if we have solved this for other archers.

                                              • Stix
                                                Member
                                                  Post count: 175

                                                  I had identical problem, was able to solve it by holding bow with less of a cant, near vertical. This keeps you from lowering your head a much to the string and keeps your face pointing towards target. Give it a try!!

                                                • grumpy
                                                  Member
                                                    Post count: 962

                                                    I asked Laura (awesome frame mechanic, not noted for tact & diplomacy) “What the hell!! Tell him to get different frames.” I also asked Dr. Dave. “You will get better image definition if you look through the center of the lens. Doe’s he have a problem turning his head.” Neither are archers, but we tried to duplicate the problem you are talking about. Smaller lenses, a smaller bridge, and.. turn your head??

                                                  • Patrick
                                                    Member
                                                      Post count: 1148

                                                      Steve Graf wrote: So shooting with glasses is a continual struggle. I find the nose piece is prone to block my dominant eye as I try to look down the arrow…

                                                      Anybody find a good pair glasses that doesn’t affect their shooting?

                                                      Or alternatively, a good compensation strategy?

                                                      Remarkably, my vision has actually improved so much that I no longer “need” glasses. With that said, when I was wearing them, I’d push the nose piece(s) in so that they were quite tight against my face. They were a bit more prone to fog, but I didn’t have the issue mentioned above any longer. Of course, this will not work for all frame styles.

                                                    • grumpy
                                                      Member
                                                        Post count: 962

                                                        Nice hat.

                                                      • Stephen Graf
                                                        Moderator
                                                        Moderator
                                                          Post count: 2429

                                                          I ended up buying a pair that has no frames. The nose piece and ear pieces mount with pegs through the lens. This has reduced the obstructed view enough to not be a problem any more.

                                                        • WyoStillhunter
                                                            Post count: 87

                                                            I opened my stance just a smidge and have no problem with nose piece and pads interfering with my vision. It also gave me better binocular vision and improved my depth perception. Overall I am shooting better than when I tried a more classic target-style stance.

                                                            At age 68+ I am most aggravated by the bifocals and the loss of peripheral vision down by my feet as I move in rough terrain. But it’s all good…just being “out there” is worth the extra hassle of the bifocals.

                                                          • Makwa
                                                              Post count: 10

                                                              Steve,

                                                              I have the SAME conundrum! It especially irritates me because I like to anchor high, on my cheekbone directly under my right eye…I shoot instinctive, so I like my arrow as close to my line of dominant sight as possible. I’ve had my bowstring rip off my glasses numerous times when I shoot – so much that it started causing me to flinch and jump my release in expectation.

                                                              Anyway, until I can afford laser surgery (which I really, really, really want!) I’ve made the choice to shoot/hunt with contacts, even though I HATE contacts. Also can wear a headcover and not worry about my glasses fogging on cold days, which is a plus. Just takes some getting used to I guess.

                                                              Good luck niij.

                                                            • grumpy
                                                              Member
                                                                Post count: 962

                                                                Been thinking about this…

                                                                Think I never had the problem ’cause I was wearing glasses before I learned how to shoot a bow.

                                                                Don’t wear bifocals. Too dangerous working on a roof, or climbing a MT. Don’t like 2 pair of glasses, but I’m still alive. Besides, Dr. Dave (my boss) won’t give me bifocals.

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