Problems with Vision, Blurry targets with Iron Sights

TheRoadWarrior · March 12, 2011, 09:35 PM

I'm having some vision problems that are effecting my shooting. I can't seem to focus on targets when I close my non-dominant eye while shooting through peep or open sights. I can use a reflex sight and shoot with both eyes open without a problem, I tried an eye patch on my non dominant eye and it helped, but I still have problems focusing in my right eye (right eye dominant.) I wear glasses and have a current prescription and a checkup just last year, but I made another appointment with my eye doctor. Anyone else ever have this problem? Scopes don't bother me, the magnification of the scope seems to help me focus on targets. It doesn't matter how quickly I acquire a target either, as soon as I look down my sight at a target it will be blurry, and when I'm not looking down the sights it is clear. I focus on the target first, but I've tried focusing on the front sight post first and then re-focusing on the target and it doesn't matter.

a7mmnut · March 12, 2011, 09:48 PM

Depending upon your firearm(s) of choice, Burris makes a really small unit that mounts right on the rear of the gun.

http://www.burrisoptics.com/fastfire.html

-7-

chris in va · March 12, 2011, 09:50 PM

That's an odd one, not sure how it's possible.

So when you bring the handgun or rifle up and shoulder it, the target itself becomes blurry? What happens if you lower the barrel and front sight down, still blurry?

I shoot with both eyes open. Maybe you're squinting too much.

TheRoadWarrior · March 12, 2011, 10:12 PM

I agree that I may be squinting too much, and when I lower the rifle the target is clear. That's what confuses me, why is the target blurry when I'm looking down the rifle through peep sights, or open sights (its not better with either sights, nor worse)

I can group fairly well at 25 meters and I can qualify sharpshooter on Army pop up qualifications easily, but I'm trying to get expert (36/40 or better) and for my own personal shooting. I can barely see the 300meter and the only reason I know it is up is because I memorized the pop up target order.

therewolf · March 12, 2011, 10:15 PM

Try this:

Get some bright stickers with the wax-paper backing. White, red, or orange are best.

Take a set of hobby hole punch pliers, and use a soft buffer against the anvil.

Punch out a pair(a few extra won't kill you, considering the size) of the bright dots.

Install them evenly on the rear of your back iron sights.

Now when your focus blurs out of field towards the target, you'll still be able to
see the rear sights enough to use them.

liberty -r- death · March 12, 2011, 10:55 PM

May want to get your blood pressure checked. Sometimes changes in blood pressure can affect vision.

Laser sights might be something to consider.

NESHOOTER · March 12, 2011, 11:01 PM

Could be your far sighted and when you focus on a close object all other blurr's time for bi-focals and yes even if your not that old. I have to use'em.

kraigwy · March 12, 2011, 11:06 PM

You have an appointment, have the doctor check for cataracts.

TheRoadWarrior · March 13, 2011, 12:28 AM

Thanks for all the feedback, many variables in this equation, I just hope I don't have any other health issues and a simple prescription lense can fix this.

egor20 · March 13, 2011, 12:37 AM

Ask for a Retinal Photograph (Fundus camera) it will show whether you have any pressure behind your eye's. Its a standard test it should be about $30 dollars, your insurance might cover it.

BobR · March 13, 2011, 03:44 AM

Also have the doc run labs to check for diabetes. An A1C test is the best indicator rather than a random one time glucose.

bob

g.willikers · March 13, 2011, 02:46 PM

I have the same problem.
It's old age.
And probably a little of all the above mentioned ailments.
Difficult to impossible to have enough depth of perception to see both far and near.
Focus on the sights and the targets go blurry.
Focus on the target and the sights go blurry.
To fix,
I use two strength lenses in my shooting glasses, left for far and right for close.
With both eyes open, the target and the sights are pretty clear.
Since the eye doctors never got this right, I just use drugstore glasses and mix the lenses.
Cheap and effective.

Lost Sheep · March 13, 2011, 06:15 PM

The wisdom of age does not come alone.

I used to be able to read other people's newspapers from three airline seats away. Not any more.

Normal aging, diabetes, cataracts, high blood pressure have all been mentioned. Glaucoma will do things to your vision, too.

A retinal exam will allow a doctor to visually see the condition of the blood vessels at the back of your eye, which will give him an indication of the condition of the smaller blood vessels throughout your body. Consider it an early warning system.

You don't have to be beyond 30 years to start having these effects show up, either, though they are nearly 100% common above 60.

I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV or the internet, but I do have some experience with the above named diseases/conditions. And I pay attention to my doctors.

Good luck, good health.

Lost Sheep

Lost Sheep · March 13, 2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

g.willikers
I have the same problem.
It's old age.
And probably a little of all the above mentioned ailments.
Difficult to impossible to have enough depth of perception to see both far and near.
Focus on the sights and the targets go blurry.
Focus on the target and the sights go blurry.
To fix,
I use two strength lenses in my shooting glasses, left for far and right for close.
With both eyes open, the target and the sights are pretty clear.
Since the eye doctors never got this right, I just use drugstore glasses and mix the lenses.
Cheap and effective.
__________________
Lock the doors, they're coming in the windows

Some pilots use the same trick, one lens set up for intermediate distance so they have a good view of the instrument panel and one lens for distance, the better to see other airplanes.

I know of at least one shooter who has his (shooting) eyeglasses built upside down. Most multifocal lens glasses have near at the bottom, midrange in the middle and far at the top. He has the top 30% of his trifocals focused at the distance of his front sight. The bottom 70% is normally distributed prescriptions.

Good luck

Lost Sheep

Dwight55 · March 14, 2011, 06:24 AM

Road Warrior, . . . 66 yrs old here, . . . closing on 67 fast, . . . same problem.

Have worn corrective lenses for over 50 of those years (when I feel like wearing them

), . . . with my vision being darn near perfect from 18 inches out to about 60 inches. Everything else is to one degree or another, . . . fuzzy.

My technique is to first focus on the target as I am bringing the weapon into play (shotgun, . . . pistol, . . . rifle, . . . doesn't matter), . . . then ease my focus back to the front sight and keep it there.

I know in my head what the target is, . . . where it is, . . . and what part of it I want to hit. Putting that front sight where it needs to be WILL ACCOMPLISH that. BUT, . . . you have to stay focused on the front sight.

Last year I traded off a Christmas present, . . . trophy scope, . . . because I wanted to get back to shooting irons, . . . this is my technique, . . . and I don't mind bragging just a bit, . . . when I say I did almost as well with my AR a few months ago using irons as a friend of mine did with his big old 50 mm scope on his AR. If we had been shooting a standard 50 ft slow fire pistol target, . . . he would have shot in the low 80's / high 70's with no X, . . . I would have been in the low 70's with 1 or 2 X.

Remember, . . . transition from the target to the front sight, . . . and shoot, . . . concentrating on that front sight.

May God bless,
Dwight

NC Cruffler · March 19, 2011, 10:16 AM

Lyman's Hawkeye diopter helps me with iron sights on 100 meter targets. Suction cup on lens of dominant eye, orifice moved to best sight picture. Non-dominent eye closed.

Lyman Diopter at Midway-USA

jerryg22 · March 25, 2011, 09:04 AM

I have the same problem. I have astimatism as well as partial cataract. What really helps me is an adjustable iris that I purchsed at Championshooters.com.

Jimmy10mm · March 25, 2011, 09:20 AM

I have been wearing bifocals for years. Probably five years ago I got to where I have to crank my head back and look at the sights through the reading part of my bifocal. Kind of a PITA but it works for me. Of course the target is blurry in that case but the way I learned target shooting it is supposed to be. The sights are sharp, target blurry and area aiming , rather than trying to hold on the exact POA.

COSteve · March 25, 2011, 10:03 AM

For most of us 'older' shooters, it's no longer possible to see the sights and the target clearly without help. Many resort to scopes but there is an easy way to gain dramatic results without touching the sights on your firearms.

Increasing your Depth of Field (the area where all items appear in sharp focus) is possible by reducing the aperture you look through. The smaller the aperture and the closer you place it in front of your eye, the longer the DoF will stretch.

That's why you can see more clearly without sunglasses because they cause your pupils to enlarge because of the lower light. Also, that's why many people can see small items better if they squint at them.

So, how does one accomplish this amazing feat? Simply take some black electrical tape and cut out blanks using a hole punch. Then punch a tiny hole in the middle and stick it to your glasses where you sight through them to shoot.

The smaller the aperture, the longer the DoF will appear so keep the center hole tiny. Using the glasses below, my DoF is almost unlimited and I can clearly see the front and rear sights as well as the target even though it may be over 100 yds away!

Because the aperture is too close to your eye for it to focus on, the tape spot will appear to be a faint ghost image that doesn't block your vision at all. The center aperture will appear very large because of it's closeness to your eye and you'll just notice that everything inside it is sharp and clear. In addition, because it is so small, it won't interfere or block your normal field of view.

This add on aperture works with progressive lenses as well as regular prescription lens. You don't need any special glasses at all. Just make sure that you keep the center aperture clean and you'll be amazed at the difference.

They work great and best of all..................they’re free!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mehavey · March 25, 2011, 11:26 AM

Impaired/blurry vison in the center of your field of vision -- i.e., where you are intently focusing w/ iron sights -- is one of the classic signs of macular degeneration. If a small aperature/rear peep doesn't clear up the front sight (the target will always be blurry) consider having the Opto/Opthomologists check for that. If caught early it can be dramatically slowed and/or countered using other optical sighting methods.

Eagle0711 · March 25, 2011, 12:50 PM

Will turn 67 in a few months, and the same problem. Kraig was correct, I went to see about glasses and have two cataracts. Will have them taken care of, but will take time.

In the mean time I will shoot with a blurry target. I do remember what it's supposed to look like. Getting old is hell.

mehavey · March 25, 2011, 12:53 PM

BTW: I went in and had a pair of fixed-focus glasses made for 30" (rifle and pistol eye-to-blade) distance. That also helped.

Pongo · March 25, 2011, 02:15 PM

Eagle0711. I had the same deal last year. I had both eyes fixed about six months ago...what a difference. Color is more vivid and it makes a huge difference on the range.
To the OP. Get checked for cataracts. My impression, from seeing the large numbers going for surgery, is they are more common than most people realise.

Old Grump · March 25, 2011, 06:05 PM

50' or 1000 yards, the target should be blurry and the only thing that should be in focus is your front sight. Get them eyes open and concentrate on that front post because that is the thing that needs to be centered in the rear sight notch or aperture. If you are shooting good you may not have as much problem as you think you do.

Do this. Stick your thumb up in the air at arms length and if you can focus on it, if you can see the little striations and the quick and the white and the little edge at the top of the nail clearly you can focus on the front sight because rifle or pistol that is where it is.

A lot of us need prescription glasses. A pair of glasses tinted with safety lenses ground for a 30" focus, + or - an inch or two, whatever your particular need is will serve you good. The target will never be in focus.

nc eyedoc · March 25, 2011, 08:13 PM

Pongo,

]Get checked for cataracts. My impression, from seeing the large numbers going for surgery, is they are more common than most people realise.

EVERYBODY gets cataracts eventually (if they live long enough

Usually in the 60+ range, but not uncommon in the fifties. There are two types of cataracts, nuclear sclerotic cataracts that make colors dull and objects blurry, and cortical cataracts, that just make everything blurry. The surgeon can, and usually should, attempt to make you just a little bit nearsighted after cataract surgery. That gives you the best all-around vision, near and far, and also just happens to give you great vision on the front sights. Many people don't realize that cataract surgery puts a new lens into your eye and can do great things to decrease your need for eyeglasses.

March 12, 2011, 09:35 PM	#1
TheRoadWarrior Member Join Date: January 22, 2011 Posts: 35	Problems with Vision, Blurry targets with Iron Sights I'm having some vision problems that are effecting my shooting. I can't seem to focus on targets when I close my non-dominant eye while shooting through peep or open sights. I can use a reflex sight and shoot with both eyes open without a problem, I tried an eye patch on my non dominant eye and it helped, but I still have problems focusing in my right eye (right eye dominant.) I wear glasses and have a current prescription and a checkup just last year, but I made another appointment with my eye doctor. Anyone else ever have this problem? Scopes don't bother me, the magnification of the scope seems to help me focus on targets. It doesn't matter how quickly I acquire a target either, as soon as I look down my sight at a target it will be blurry, and when I'm not looking down the sights it is clear. I focus on the target first, but I've tried focusing on the front sight post first and then re-focusing on the target and it doesn't matter.

March 12, 2011, 11:06 PM	#8
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	You have an appointment, have the doctor check for cataracts. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

March 13, 2011, 12:37 AM	#10
egor20 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,824	Ask for a Retinal Photograph (Fundus camera) it will show whether you have any pressure behind your eye's. Its a standard test it should be about $30 dollars, your insurance might cover it. __________________ Chief stall mucker and grain chef Country don't mean dumb. Steven King. The Stand

March 13, 2011, 03:44 AM	#11
BobR Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2000 Location: The Dry Side of WA Posts: 561	Also have the doc run labs to check for diabetes. An A1C test is the best indicator rather than a random one time glucose. bob __________________ Sarcasm.....just one more service I offer.

March 13, 2011, 02:46 PM	#12
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	I have the same problem. It's old age. And probably a little of all the above mentioned ailments. Difficult to impossible to have enough depth of perception to see both far and near. Focus on the sights and the targets go blurry. Focus on the target and the sights go blurry. To fix, I use two strength lenses in my shooting glasses, left for far and right for close. With both eyes open, the target and the sights are pretty clear. Since the eye doctors never got this right, I just use drugstore glasses and mix the lenses. Cheap and effective. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

March 12, 2011, 09:48 PM	#2
a7mmnut Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: NC Foothills Posts: 1,150	Depending upon your firearm(s) of choice, Burris makes a really small unit that mounts right on the rear of the gun. http://www.burrisoptics.com/fastfire.html -7-

March 12, 2011, 09:50 PM	#3
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	That's an odd one, not sure how it's possible. So when you bring the handgun or rifle up and shoulder it, the target itself becomes blurry? What happens if you lower the barrel and front sight down, still blurry? I shoot with both eyes open. Maybe you're squinting too much.

March 12, 2011, 10:12 PM	#4
TheRoadWarrior Member Join Date: January 22, 2011 Posts: 35	I agree that I may be squinting too much, and when I lower the rifle the target is clear. That's what confuses me, why is the target blurry when I'm looking down the rifle through peep sights, or open sights (its not better with either sights, nor worse) I can group fairly well at 25 meters and I can qualify sharpshooter on Army pop up qualifications easily, but I'm trying to get expert (36/40 or better) and for my own personal shooting. I can barely see the 300meter and the only reason I know it is up is because I memorized the pop up target order.

March 12, 2011, 10:15 PM	#5
therewolf Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2011 Posts: 133	Try this: Get some bright stickers with the wax-paper backing. White, red, or orange are best. Take a set of hobby hole punch pliers, and use a soft buffer against the anvil. Punch out a pair(a few extra won't kill you, considering the size) of the bright dots. Install them evenly on the rear of your back iron sights. Now when your focus blurs out of field towards the target, you'll still be able to see the rear sights enough to use them.

March 12, 2011, 10:55 PM	#6
liberty -r- death Member Join Date: December 10, 2009 Posts: 36	May want to get your blood pressure checked. Sometimes changes in blood pressure can affect vision. Laser sights might be something to consider.

March 12, 2011, 11:01 PM	#7
NESHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2009 Posts: 517	Could be your far sighted and when you focus on a close object all other blurr's time for bi-focals and yes even if your not that old. I have to use'em.

March 13, 2011, 12:28 AM	#9
TheRoadWarrior Member Join Date: January 22, 2011 Posts: 35	Thanks for all the feedback, many variables in this equation, I just hope I don't have any other health issues and a simple prescription lense can fix this.

March 13, 2011, 06:15 PM	#13
Lost Sheep Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2009 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 3,341	The wisdom of age does not come alone The wisdom of age does not come alone. I used to be able to read other people's newspapers from three airline seats away. Not any more. Normal aging, diabetes, cataracts, high blood pressure have all been mentioned. Glaucoma will do things to your vision, too. A retinal exam will allow a doctor to visually see the condition of the blood vessels at the back of your eye, which will give him an indication of the condition of the smaller blood vessels throughout your body. Consider it an early warning system. You don't have to be beyond 30 years to start having these effects show up, either, though they are nearly 100% common above 60. I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV or the internet, but I do have some experience with the above named diseases/conditions. And I pay attention to my doctors. Good luck, good health. Lost Sheep

March 14, 2011, 06:24 AM	#15
Dwight55 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 2,568	Road Warrior, . . . 66 yrs old here, . . . closing on 67 fast, . . . same problem. Have worn corrective lenses for over 50 of those years (when I feel like wearing them ), . . . with my vision being darn near perfect from 18 inches out to about 60 inches. Everything else is to one degree or another, . . . fuzzy. My technique is to first focus on the target as I am bringing the weapon into play (shotgun, . . . pistol, . . . rifle, . . . doesn't matter), . . . then ease my focus back to the front sight and keep it there. I know in my head what the target is, . . . where it is, . . . and what part of it I want to hit. Putting that front sight where it needs to be WILL ACCOMPLISH that. BUT, . . . you have to stay focused on the front sight. Last year I traded off a Christmas present, . . . trophy scope, . . . because I wanted to get back to shooting irons, . . . this is my technique, . . . and I don't mind bragging just a bit, . . . when I say I did almost as well with my AR a few months ago using irons as a friend of mine did with his big old 50 mm scope on his AR. If we had been shooting a standard 50 ft slow fire pistol target, . . . he would have shot in the low 80's / high 70's with no X, . . . I would have been in the low 70's with 1 or 2 X. Remember, . . . transition from the target to the front sight, . . . and shoot, . . . concentrating on that front sight. May God bless, Dwight __________________ www.dwightsgunleather.com If you can breathe, . . . thank God! If you can read, . . . thank a teacher! If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a Veteran!

March 19, 2011, 10:16 AM	#16
NC Cruffler Member Join Date: September 14, 2010 Posts: 30	Lyman's Hawkeye diopter helps me with iron sights on 100 meter targets. Suction cup on lens of dominant eye, orifice moved to best sight picture. Non-dominent eye closed. Lyman Diopter at Midway-USA __________________ Dave Green NRA Benefactor Member

March 25, 2011, 09:04 AM	#17
jerryg22 Junior Member Join Date: February 24, 2011 Posts: 4	I have the same problem. I have astimatism as well as partial cataract. What really helps me is an adjustable iris that I purchsed at Championshooters.com. Last edited by jerryg22; March 25, 2011 at 01:44 PM.

March 25, 2011, 10:03 AM	#19
COSteve Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2009 Posts: 1,344	For most of us 'older' shooters, it's no longer possible to see the sights and the target clearly without help. Many resort to scopes but there is an easy way to gain dramatic results without touching the sights on your firearms. Increasing your Depth of Field (the area where all items appear in sharp focus) is possible by reducing the aperture you look through. The smaller the aperture and the closer you place it in front of your eye, the longer the DoF will stretch. That's why you can see more clearly without sunglasses because they cause your pupils to enlarge because of the lower light. Also, that's why many people can see small items better if they squint at them. So, how does one accomplish this amazing feat? Simply take some black electrical tape and cut out blanks using a hole punch. Then punch a tiny hole in the middle and stick it to your glasses where you sight through them to shoot. The smaller the aperture, the longer the DoF will appear so keep the center hole tiny. Using the glasses below, my DoF is almost unlimited and I can clearly see the front and rear sights as well as the target even though it may be over 100 yds away! Because the aperture is too close to your eye for it to focus on, the tape spot will appear to be a faint ghost image that doesn't block your vision at all. The center aperture will appear very large because of it's closeness to your eye and you'll just notice that everything inside it is sharp and clear. In addition, because it is so small, it won't interfere or block your normal field of view. This add on aperture works with progressive lenses as well as regular prescription lens. You don't need any special glasses at all. Just make sure that you keep the center aperture clean and you'll be amazed at the difference. They work great and best of all..................they’re free!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March 25, 2011, 11:26 AM	#20
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,885	Impaired/blurry vison in the center of your field of vision -- i.e., where you are intently focusing w/ iron sights -- is one of the classic signs of macular degeneration. If a small aperature/rear peep doesn't clear up the front sight (the target will always be blurry) consider having the Opto/Opthomologists check for that. If caught early it can be dramatically slowed and/or countered using other optical sighting methods. Last edited by mehavey; March 25, 2011 at 12:53 PM.

March 25, 2011, 12:50 PM	#21
Eagle0711 Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2010 Posts: 782	Will turn 67 in a few months, and the same problem. Kraig was correct, I went to see about glasses and have two cataracts. Will have them taken care of, but will take time. In the mean time I will shoot with a blurry target. I do remember what it's supposed to look like. Getting old is hell.

March 25, 2011, 12:53 PM	#22
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,885	BTW: I went in and had a pair of fixed-focus glasses made for 30" (rifle and pistol eye-to-blade) distance. That also helped. Last edited by mehavey; March 25, 2011 at 04:03 PM.

March 25, 2011, 02:15 PM	#23
Pongo Member Join Date: October 26, 2009 Posts: 74	Eagle0711. I had the same deal last year. I had both eyes fixed about six months ago...what a difference. Color is more vivid and it makes a huge difference on the range. To the OP. Get checked for cataracts. My impression, from seeing the large numbers going for surgery, is they are more common than most people realise.

March 25, 2011, 06:05 PM	#24
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	50' or 1000 yards, the target should be blurry and the only thing that should be in focus is your front sight. Get them eyes open and concentrate on that front post because that is the thing that needs to be centered in the rear sight notch or aperture. If you are shooting good you may not have as much problem as you think you do. Do this. Stick your thumb up in the air at arms length and if you can focus on it, if you can see the little striations and the quick and the white and the little edge at the top of the nail clearly you can focus on the front sight because rifle or pistol that is where it is. A lot of us need prescription glasses. A pair of glasses tinted with safety lenses ground for a 30" focus, + or - an inch or two, whatever your particular need is will serve you good. The target will never be in focus. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

March 25, 2011, 08:13 PM	#25
nc eyedoc Junior Member Join Date: December 16, 2010 Posts: 12	Pongo, ]Get checked for cataracts. My impression, from seeing the large numbers going for surgery, is they are more common than most people realise. EVERYBODY gets cataracts eventually (if they live long enough Usually in the 60+ range, but not uncommon in the fifties. There are two types of cataracts, nuclear sclerotic cataracts that make colors dull and objects blurry, and cortical cataracts, that just make everything blurry. The surgeon can, and usually should, attempt to make you just a little bit nearsighted after cataract surgery. That gives you the best all-around vision, near and far, and also just happens to give you great vision on the front sights. Many people don't realize that cataract surgery puts a new lens into your eye and can do great things to decrease your need for eyeglasses.