eye glasses hunting and transition lenses

[stillhunter]

Men correct me if I'm off base but I think that one of the biggest problem with bifocal is everyone wants to wear small lenses these days, seems like the style. I chose large lenses and had no problem hunting or shooting with progressives.Seems like my larger viewing area does not go out of focus so easily. The only time I had problems was layout hunting for waterfowl when I was layed back and forced to look through my lower lense. It was all blurry so I had to get a pair of single lens glasses for this.

[CoilSpring]

TTT

[Paul_R]

Originally posted by stillhunter:
Men correct me if I'm off base but I think that one of the biggest problem with bifocal is everyone wants to wear small lenses these days, seems like the style. I chose large lenses and had no problem hunting or shooting with progressives.Seems like my larger viewing area does not go out of focus so easily. The only time I had problems was layout hunting for waterfowl when I was layed back and forced to look through my lower lense. It was all blurry so I had to get a pair of single lens glasses for this.

I think you may be on to something, I've noticed the same thing.

[Orion]

I've worn progressive lenses (not digital) for about the last 15 years or so. They work pretty well for me. No problems with ground or any other kind of depth perception.

Actually, they do help my bow shooting in one regard.  If I don't turn my head enough and look across my arrow rather than down it as a result, it also means I'm looking out of the edges of the prescription, and the vision is a bit blurred. That's the cue to turn my head a little more toward the target.  

I've used bifocals in the past, and much prefer progressives. I've also used transitional lenses in the past.  Maybe technology has improved a lot since then, but they were never as light as clear lenses in low light conditions (i.e., early morning and late afternoon). I just wear clip on polarized lenses for most other outdoor activities and driving.  Hunting, I don't use any darkening lenses.  Of course, I don't have an oversensitivity to light.  In fact, at my age, it's just the opposite.  I need all the light i can get.

Good luck in your search.

[xtrema312]

Well been working with  some new progressive digital glasses.  One thing I  can say is that you really want to go with larger lenses height wise if you have very high of a reading power.  I used my old frames and was told that was about as small of a lens as they recommended.  I said we could go larger if it was better, but they said it would be okay.  Well I wish I went larger.  The big issue is that my reading prescription went from a 1 to 2 and that pushed up into my lens a lot farther.  They didn't explain that would happen or I would have made different choices.  They adjusted my glasses down so  they  work fine for most stuff, but I want a larger mid range area for computer and  pistol shooting.  It is a little narrow and now kind of low.  They will remake my lenses moving the reading down more and more narrow so I can move the mid range up a bit again without having the ground and work bench vision be naturally in my reading area. I will likely have them remade my lenses now after living with them a while and figuring out what I want different.  

Peripheral vision is not too bad at all high on the lens but I tend to look lower over the bridge of my glasses in the area that is not as good for peripheral so I am struggling with a different anchor so I can get higher in the lens and a little more towards center.  I may get wider  peripheral vision with the lower reading area, but not sure on that until I get back in to talk.

I went with the transition signature and they work fine all around for me.  No issues with light and  shadow changes.  They don't get all that dark like sun glasses and transition. reasonably quick.

Because of my astigmatism contacts are kind of out as a general solution.  I would have to have one eye close range vision and one long range. That just will not work well I don't think with all I do and having to pick my dominant eye as close or far. Still thinking about that option and may give it a try.  

Right now I kind  of think distance set or distance with small reading area would be the way to go for hunting. I may try a cheap pair from Walmart or something if the new lenses don't solve a few more  issues.

[Joe2Crow]

xtrema,
I've worked in the eye industry since 1992 and would be glad to discuss some of options with you - too much to type here.  I'll pm you my cell number.  Jeff

[larry]

I wear the no line bifocals, except for hunting, can't shoot worth a darn with them. I've got a pair that are strictly for distance I use when I hunting/shooting. From 2 feet and in things are pretty fuzzy, but beyond that I'm good.

[Jim Wright]

If you mentioned it I missed it but have you had a recent eye exam (one with your eyes dilated)and discussed this with your doctor?

[jebeckjr]

I wear the digital progressives (anti glare , no transitions), and it took a little getting used to and form adjustment, but I can see and shoot fine now.  I've been wearing glasses for 30 years, but this is my first year in progressives.  The tip about turning your head and looking directly at the object is spot on!

[xtrema312]

Originally posted by Joe2Crow:
xtrema,
I've worked in the eye industry since 1992 and would be glad to discuss some of options with you - too much to type here.  I'll pm you my cell number.  Jeff

Got the PM and will give you a call.  Thanks!

[xtrema312]

Originally posted by Jim Wright:
If you mentioned it I missed it but have you had a recent eye exam (one with your eyes dilated)and discussed this with your doctor?

Recent exam yes, but not dilated.  They said they only do that if the see an issue, and that it is more a medical level exam or some such thing.  They said my eyes looked health.

[Roger Norris]

Funny...I first read this thread while sitting in my eye Dr's office.

I have worn corrective lenses since 3 rd grade. I have had contacts for something like 35 years. I HATE wearing glasses in the field. Rain, mist, fog, snow.....hate it. I do carry a spare pair of glasses in my haversack for emergencies.

For the last 2 years I have worn bifocal contacts. At first they were ok...but over time (and with some prescription change) I realize they are too much of a compromise. Far vision isn't great, and close vision suffers also.

I have decided to switch back to "distance" contacts, and use readers for close work (which is really just reading, everything with 3 feet is fine). Things at bow shooting range are crisp and clear again.

[T Folts]

Well I cant wear contacts and I only wear readers so far but I'm getting closer to needing distance. I wear progressive lenses at work and they are good. I haven't tried them shooting or in the woods but I should I'm just holding off as long as I can. I had lasik almost 20 yrs. ago but its getting time for glasses full time again.

[eidsvolling]

Originally posted by petalumapete:
I've worn glasses for years. One thing I can guarantee is with progressive lenses in the field you will be picking yourself up off the ground.  They  throw off depth perception. Can't begin to tell ya how many times I've fallen not seeing the dip in the ground  

Yeah, what he said. And it was hell on my shooting until I figured it out. Went to single lenses for all outdoor activities with much better results.

I've used the transition glass for many years but I found switching to polarizing lenses made a huge difference for my light-sensitive blue eyes. And the transition lenses darken at cold temperatures, which is not very handy during the winter late in the day or in deep woods. I now carry both the polarizing and clear versions with me.

[Danny Rowan]

I have worn glasses all my life and line bifocals since I was 40 or so. Never had a problem shooting my bows or my service weapon. I have a set of computer glasses with the bifocals that I use when I am qualifing with my service weapon, all I want to see crisp and clear are my sights.

[halfseminole]

I recently replaced my everyday wear glasses with a pair of Oakley OO Red Iridium lenses. This new tint is perfect for shooting-all the colors are perfect.  White is even still white.  Since I'm locked behind tinted lenses because of damage to my optic nerve, I have to find the best compromise, and they're it.  If you use prescription sunglasses they're about as good as it gets.

[Uncle Buck]

I used to struggle with my progressive lenses, but eventually got used to them. When hunting from a stand though, I dont wear them. I worry more about excess movement, Glasses are a distraction for me, and I have learned that the smallest movement can get you busted.

[flinthead]

Get a pair of Transition bifocals with the reading magnification in the lower inside corner--the glass folks call them golfers glasses. All the lens is distance except for a small corner that is reading. Use them for shooting guns and bows, and working. Use no line for reading, computer and all other stuff. You can add a lens cover for the extremely sunny days in the car. That is how I solved my problem, Roy

[Moots]

I wear progressive lenses as well, and struggled shooting with them.  My solution is that I have a second single vision lens that I use for distance only with archery, bicycling etc.

Good luck.

[xtrema312]

Once they adjusted my glasses down, I had very little trouble with seeing the ground.  I did have to put my chin on my chest to see my toes clear.  Walking in the woods was not an issue after that. I amused to moving my head more Now that I have had progressives a whole. It didn't bother me too much when working on stands the last couple weeks. I did have a little problem seeing the counter or bench top clear right close to me without chin on chest or bending a bit. Mostly my complaint after that was how low and narrow my computer / handgun vision range was. That and the limited clear view area lower on the side of my lens.

Yesterday I stopped back to see what more they could do.  Sounds like not mooch to make the midrange area taller.  That is set by the lens design. They did make an adjustment tilting the lenses to bring the bottom closer to my eyes. That gave me Even better ground and work bench vision.  It also raised my mid range focus area a little.  I am going to see if they can do a little more of that.  Not that I need more for looking down but I figure I can get a bit higher midrange and then maybe they can then raise my glasses up a but more. That would work for most stuff and I will just have to work a bit more on a new anchor and head position.

I am thinking I will likely get some single vision glasses for distance at some point. Sooner than later if my shooting doesn't come around soon.

I also may hunt without glasses.  My vision is not that bad when my eyes adjust to not having glasses on as long as i don't strain them a lot. That is hard to do after a day of reading and computer work but i get buy okay if I don't read stuff and don't wear glasses on the weekends.