Shooting with Progressive Lenses

K

KLS

Regular
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Location
SK
Just picked up some new glasses. Since I’m old they’re progressive lenses. Shot a few gophers and I’ve missed more than I normally do (rarely miss) with my CZ457 with 2-7 Crossfire. Have other ole guys had issues shooting with progressive lenses? Should I get a pair of glasses that aren’t progressives to shoot with? They have taken some getting used to. My eyes aren’t bad, no restriction on my license, It is nice to sharpen things up at distance.

The younger guys might laugh but it’s part of getting older. A Costco 3 pack of cheaters will be in your stocking sometime after 45…
 
KLS said:
Just picked up some new glasses. Since I’m old they’re progressive lenses. Shot a few gophers and I’ve missed more than I normally do (rarely miss) with my CZ457 with 2-7 Crossfire. Have other ole guys had issues shooting with progressive lenses? Should I get a pair of glasses that aren’t progressives to shoot with? They have taken some getting used to. My eyes aren’t bad, no restriction on my license, It is nice to sharpen things up at distance.

The younger guys might laugh but it’s part of getting older. A Costco 3 pack of cheaters will be in your stocking sometime after 45…
Click to expand...
Do some target shooting and see if point of impact changes.

I have used progressive glasses for many years... no problem with shooting using scopes.
 
I was about to pull the trigger on some new glasses so I’m glad this came up.

When I was younger, I only needed glasses to see distance, but as I aged, I also need them to read. Up until now I have a pair of separate distance glasses and separate reading glasses.

With progressive lenses you have an intermediate distance as well. This is typically for viewing things like computer screens. Not distant but not close up either.

IMG_1152.png

I have not ordered new glasses yet because I cannot decide on the 3 options: 2 separate pair, bi-focals or progressives?

I can tell you this from my experience, when shooting a handgun I can see my sites much better with my reading glasses on and the same is true when shooting through a scoped rifle. It may be different for me than others though as my astigmatism is not that severe.
 
I have a few pairs of progressive transitions. I always take them off shooting. If I’m in the house I wear them most the time. Outside I only wear them if I need to read something close.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KLS
I use a single shooting lens in a Knoblach frame for match shooting .
Because of my positioning when shooting prone, the lens is in a slightly different position than when shooting off the bench.
However, for hunting I get by quite well with my standard bifocals.
Cat
 
Interestingly when I was not able to sleep last night (because I too have a few years under the belt) I was thinking on my glasses and shooting. But also about eye pro. What solutions would work best for eye pro over glasses type thing? Anyone have recommendations?
 
blueliner said:
Interestingly when I was not able to sleep last night (because I too have a few years under the belt) I was thinking on my glasses and shooting. But also about eye pro. What solutions would work best for eye pro over glasses type thing? Anyone have recommendations?
Click to expand...
Most shooters. I know just use prescription safety lenses.
My Knoblach frame has a blinder for my left eye and safety prescription lens.
For hunting I just wear my prescription hardened lens .
You can see how my lens is set up when I am on the gun as opposed to when I am not- quite a difference!
Edit note: that photo is reversed, I am actually right handed!!
Cat
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20241117_101922_One UI Home.jpg
    Screenshot_20241117_101922_One UI Home.jpg
    69 KB · Views: 31
  • Screenshot_20241117_101914_Chrome.jpg
    Screenshot_20241117_101914_Chrome.jpg
    72 KB · Views: 31
Last edited:
blueliner said:
Interestingly when I was not able to sleep last night (because I too have a few years under the belt) I was thinking on my glasses and shooting. But also about eye pro. What solutions would work best for eye pro over glasses type thing? Anyone have recommendations?
Click to expand...

I bought a pair of Smith Optics and they made a pair of prescription lens inserts for me several years ago.
 

Attachments

  • 20260325_183442.jpg
    20260325_183442.jpg
    58.8 KB · Views: 16
I’ve tried more than a few options over the years and most didn’t work good, more on handguns than rifles…
I asked if I could get the lenses inverted (reading on the top) so I could see the handgun sight easier without contorting my neck but that was a no go due to my prescription (or so they claimed).
My best so far are this latest set; they’re a set of safety glasses, with side shields removed, ground sides not polished and with what they called an intermediate focus “office” lens. They don’t do distance but more 15 yards and in, in a trifocal. I have poor distance vision and honestly don’t notice a difference at longer ranges over a normal pair but they definitely helped on the closer tasks.
 
KLS said:
Just picked up some new glasses. Since I’m old they’re progressive lenses. Shot a few gophers and I’ve missed more than I normally do (rarely miss) with my CZ457 with 2-7 Crossfire. Have other ole guys had issues shooting with progressive lenses? Should I get a pair of glasses that aren’t progressives to shoot with? They have taken some getting used to. My eyes aren’t bad, no restriction on my license, It is nice to sharpen things up at distance.

The younger guys might laugh but it’s part of getting older. A Costco 3 pack of cheaters will be in your stocking sometime after 45…
Click to expand...
Heck Yes, I found it was very hard to shoot using Progressive glasses, any slight movement while looking thru a scope would create a blur. I just use my old distance glasses for shooting.
Regards George
 
Smokinyotes said:
I have a few pairs of progressive transitions. I always take them off shooting. If I’m in the house I wear them most the time. Outside I only wear them if I need to read something close.
Click to expand...

Same here. Off for shooting. I havent been able to get used to the progressives for shooting. On for most everything else.
 
I wore Progressives for about 20-years, until I got Cataract Surgery. For shooting and reading 'at home' I had plain Bi-focals made with just the 'Distant' and 'Close' Rx. I had to hold my head 'just right' to use the Progs and it was too distracting most of the time. For KLS and others still deciding, this may be a good option. I always went to "2-fer" opticians so I could get a better price. Some friends paid $500+ for their glasses, but mine were only UNDER $150 for 2-pairs. For shooting I used 'shop safety glasses' that fit over Rx glasses.
PS - In a few years you all will likely need the C-surgery and all this problem will go away. I now just use Costco reading glasses when at home and on the PC. But I do wear Sunglasses on cloudy days, too. "New Eyes" are very light-sensitive. Again, is this TMI ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom