Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Shooters FORM Board => Topic started by: gorillabows on January 03, 2011, 02:41:00 PM

Title: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: gorillabows on January 03, 2011, 02:41:00 PM
Hey Fellas due to a hunting accident that I had on Oct 3rd of 2010 I am without my left eye. The Dr. has strongly suggested that I get a pair of glasses to wear for now on to protect the one good eye that I have left.

Does anyone shoot with glasses? I just got them today, and have yet to try shooting. I dont cant the bow much and because of this I thought that I would see what you guys thought.

thank you and best regards,
Joe
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Stumpkiller on January 03, 2011, 02:49:00 PM
Sorry to hear about your mishap.  

I only wear glasses to see.  For shooting glasses I would recommend something small and close to the eye rather than larger and further out.  The bigger the lens the more distorsion it may have.  If you, like me, tend to look down the arrow it can screw you up big time if the lens distorts the arrow and makes it look curved.  (Or bent, like my bifocals did).

Also, depending on your anchor, if you bump the lens at the last bit of the draw it moves where the arrow appears in relation to the target.  Also big time screw-you-up.  Plain, non-prescription glass might not do this.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: bowrocker07 on January 03, 2011, 03:04:00 PM
Joe,

Sorry to hear about the accident.  

I have been shooting with glasses for nearly ten years now.  Having shot for years without them, it was quite a change! Since you don't cant the bow much, you shouldn't run into too many problems.  I used to shoot with a pretty sever cant, but had to change my shooting style and cant the bow less to accommodate for my new spectacles.  

As mentioned, I think smaller lenses that fit closer to the eye are a better option than larger lenses.  This gives you the opportunity to shoot longer bows without the string bumping your glasses.

Hopefully this is helpful!  Good luck!

Jeron
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: gorillabows on January 03, 2011, 03:10:00 PM
Thank you stumpkiller and bow rocker. I wish that I had asked you two before getting the glasses. The ones that I have purchased, are larger and do come off the face a bit. Will need to do some adjusting.

Perhaps a shorter bow would be better?

Joe
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Stumpkiller on January 03, 2011, 03:18:00 PM
You may be able to bring them back closer to your face by expanding the nose pieces and curling the ear pieces more.  (Go slowly & carefully or take them to an optician).

Don't know about a shorter bow.  It will change the string angle some but how much depends on your face and anchor.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Stinger on January 03, 2011, 05:38:00 PM
Joe,  as others have said, sorry to hear about the accident.  I have been wearing glasses for many years to shoot my bow and have not really noticed any difference.  I can shoot the bows I have from 57 to 66 inches and don't notice any issues.  This past year I got my first pair of progressive lenses.  These are a multi-focal lens.  I found that I can't shoot with those at all because the primary focal point is so small.  I just put on my old distance glasses and don't have a problem.  The only glasses that I have found that I can't shoot with are my big Maui Jim sunglasses.  The string touches the lens on some of my bows.  I can still shoot ok, but the wax on the string buggers up the lens.

You might also consider putting a leash on the glasses that will keep them pulled tight to your head and prevent them from sliding down your nose.  Additionally, if you are going to hunt with them you might find that they fog up on those frosty mornings especially if you wear a face mask of any sort.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Brently on January 06, 2011, 12:45:00 AM
I shoot with glasses also.  Like they said keep the glasses close to your eye and use a smaller lens.  It took quite awhile for me to get used to shooting with glasses and sometimes it still gives me fits, I mostly shoot longbows 66' and 68''.  Also less cant seems to work best for me also.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Brent Hill on January 06, 2011, 07:02:00 AM
I shoot better with my glasses versus contacts.  I also do not cant.  Give it a try and after two weeks of working out the kinks, you should have the answer.  I think it will work out.  Sorry for your loss.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Johan van Niekerk on January 06, 2011, 09:09:00 AM
I've never had issues shooting a tradbow with glasses. With my wheelie bow its an issue because the distance from the glasses to the string peep makes a definative difference.
With a tradbow you "should" adjust quite quickly.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Ralphie on January 06, 2011, 09:16:00 AM
I have worn glasses all my life to see clearly objects at a distance. The glasses have never interfered with shooting. They do have smaller lenses, and that is probably why they work so well. Sorry about your accident. I think wearing the glasses is a good idea.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Pepper on January 06, 2011, 03:55:00 PM
Answered my questions, thanks guys.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Frank V on January 07, 2011, 05:41:00 PM
I am sorry to hear about your accident. I've been wearing glasses since I was about 7. I don't have any trouble shooting with them. Your Drs. advise about saving your remaining eye sounds like good advise. Keep them clean & fitting well, & I don't think you'll have much trouble. Get him to fit you with a pair of Polaroid sunglasses & see the difference in bright light, or bowfishing.
Good luck, I think after just getting used to them you'll do fine.
Frank
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: waiting4fall on January 07, 2011, 07:57:00 PM
All good stuff above. I've worn glasses since age 5. Something I started wearing 2 years ago are the transitions lenses, I love them. Something, perhaps to consider. Best of luck.

 http://en-us.transitions.com/en/default.aspx
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: psychmonky on January 13, 2011, 01:41:00 PM
I wear glasses due to a very weak muscle in my left eye. Since they don't really correct my vision, especially in my right eye, I look around them when shooting rather than through them. This eliminates any distortion by the lens. Basically my head is turned enough that I am looking over the nose piece.

I started doing this years ago because sometimes I wore contacts and sometimes glasses. If I looked through em, I had to adjust my sights based on my eyewear. Now it's all instinctive but I still do it.

Scott
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Textrout on January 16, 2011, 10:19:00 AM
I"m 55 now and have worn glasses since 4 yrs of age.  Use progressive lenses now. The do make some "sport classes" that are tough and designed to protect.  It was unclear whether you have an adjustment in the lense or just a straight lense without correction for protection only.

I don't cant the bow either, but I know I have to work my anchor point/technique around my having glasses some, and you may have to experiment with slight changes too.
Best wishes, and truely sorry for your loss.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: bobman on January 22, 2011, 09:41:00 AM
I am nosey enough to ask...what happened in the accident?

I wear glasses now and they really bug me but not seeing well bugs me worse.

I am sorry you got hurt with only one left I would definetely do anything I coudl to protect it.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Paul WA on February 08, 2011, 05:47:00 PM
Couldn't see the target without mine...PR
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Joshua Grimshaw on February 08, 2011, 06:35:00 PM
I have uncorrectable vision in my right eye. I use glasses all the time, my left eye is nearsighted some; unrelated to  right eye. I have a few different sizes and for archery it does not matter to much what I use. I think because the target is still or just moving slow.

I also shoot trap (shotgun) and thats when I prefer a wider and taller frame for a bigger field of view on fast moving targets.

Also my eye doc told me that statistically having only one eye; you are more likely to damage it than if you had the benefit of two.

So glasses are a really good Idea!
Good Luck...Josh
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Lancelot on February 10, 2011, 10:56:00 AM
I shoot with frameless glasses & that helps a lot.

Lancelot
 <><
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: tj69 on February 10, 2011, 11:12:00 AM
I am a right hand shooter, left eye dominant.
I shoot with glasses and left eye shut.
Works good.
You will become accustomed to that, dont worry.
I feel sorry for the loss of your eye!
Good luck!
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: kstout on February 12, 2011, 04:22:00 PM
I've always shot with glasses and the only problem I've had is with "no-line bifocals".  I tried them and my vision was distorted where the bifocal started, so I went back to the old bifocals with the lines.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: dragon rider on February 14, 2011, 09:23:00 PM
As Woody Allen said, I wear glasses to drive - and to find the car.  I cant my bow just enough to get the string to slide in under the lens and that solves my problem.  

Really sorry to hear about your accident.  That really sucks.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: GO Rogers on February 16, 2011, 05:35:00 PM
I would suggest using single vison lenses only, you don't need bifocals at all, it will distort your line of sight as you look through the lens. It is difficult not to look through the bifocal area of your lens.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: wtpops on February 26, 2011, 09:34:00 PM
Good advice from the Doc. I have been without my left eye for 51 years lost it when i was 2. Been wearing glasses all my life and they have saved my right eye many times so for your sake and your families wear them, you will get used to them.

As to shooting, like already said, lenses on the smaller side and get the frames with nose pieces, they do take some getting used to but are better as you can adjust them to get the fit you want for shooting.

Side note, i assume you have already noticed that your depth perception has gone to hell, dont worry over time your brain will learn to compensate and you will do fine, just watch out for curbs and when passing cars.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: divecon10 on February 26, 2011, 10:27:00 PM
Have also had a few issues with glasses but have mostly no probs when shooting. There is one pair of rap round frames from some sunglasses I got some yrs back that have proven most useful. I had two pair of lenses crafted for them which can conveniently pop in or out as the frame, which is more like pvc than brittle plastic. One set of lenses r the lightest polarized tint then available, at 65% .  The 2nd set r yellow low light. As I work at sea and ride a bit they have proven most useful especially with the added protection and no glare that polarization offers on sea or road and as they r not so dark are really good in the bush. When the sun dips I just pop out the lenses and pop in the low light set. The reason I mention this is because when I took up archery I did not notice any distortion in the periphery of the curve of these glasses at all. U’r remaining eye is too important.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: LONGSTYKES on February 28, 2011, 09:08:00 AM
Joe: Sorry to hear about your accident.  I am also blind in my Left eye. For many years now. I agree with the Doc. Always wear glasses in the woods, too protect your right eye. I have not had any problems with my shooting, bifocals and all, I do cant my bow also.  Good Luck and God Bless.  Have a post on PowWow, New cat in the house, Lynx. Check out  the targets
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: JGRAHAM on March 04, 2011, 03:54:00 PM
Once you get used to wearing the glasses you shouldn't have a problem.  I've been shooting with noline bifocals for years and hasn't been a problem for me.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: troutguy on March 06, 2011, 09:17:00 PM
ive had glasses all my life and have shot all kinda bows, including recurves. sorry to hear about your accident, but dont let it interfere with you shooting . hopefully your right eye is your dominate eye, if not it will be. i have always anchored with my middle finger, on occasion ill bump my glasses slightly. for longer shots i will anchor with my pointer, to raise the arrow slightly. when achoring with my pointer, i never bump my glasses no matter how big the glasses are.   keep on shooting.

sam
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Eugene Slagle on March 06, 2011, 09:39:00 PM
I wear glasses to see & I guess I'm lucky because my face makes a small lense pair fit me the best, what I do is keep my glasses as close to my face as I can by adjusting the ear pieces to make them sit that way, this way they don't tend to slide down my nose when I need them in position.

I on occasion will cant the bow but not often & have learned to compensate for the glasses through long times at the practice range.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: Maxx Black on March 07, 2011, 05:14:00 PM
I am sorry to hear about the loss of sight in one eye. You will find the adjustment of doing everything with glasses a pain but don't take them forgranted. I've been wearing them for a number of years,and now with progressive lenses. As the guys have said get the optical place to make the necessary adjustments to the glasses so the string doesn't interfere.  
Good Luck Ken
Title: Re: Shooting with Glasses
Post by: bowslinger on March 09, 2011, 01:55:00 AM
I shoot with a number of guys that wear glasses and it is not an issue to shoot accurately.  I also wear progressive bifocals, but any claims on my part to shoot accurately are greatly exaggerated.  Fogging up in cold weather is the worst part.

If you are a right-handed shooter, the glasses you wear may dictate that you play with opening up or closing a your stance a little so you are not handicapped by trying to aim through the upper left corner of the right lense frame.  This is where a good pair of googles or a larger-framed pair of glasses might help.

Good luck!