Rifle Scopes Ah, There's my Reticle- Astigmatism: HD Glasses

[BobD]

So, aging eyes suck. I've had a set of corrective lenses for some time without having my eyes rechecked. I knew before going in that I've developed some degree of astigmatism as it effects my view through Eotechs. Although obnoxious, I've just barreled through, haven't checked my vision in over 5-6+ years.

Well, I got my new script and have a +1.5 cylindrical correction at 90* in both eyes.

Got the new lenses, HD glass, all premium coatings...

Holy crap!

That's what my Eotechs are supposed to look like...
But that wasn't the biggest surprise to me.
Went up to a handful of my scopes... And there's the reticle! It stands out bold, black and twice as easy to read. I've for the most part corrected my vision with the diopter on the ocular to use without lenses. When there's an astigmatism, it's not the same and I should have known better. I just didn't realize how big of a difference it would make. Everything is exponentially more well defined.

It's like a whole new world. I managed fine before, so this is a real treat.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Ah, There's my Reticle- Astigmatism

I have a significant astigmatism, but have yet to find glasses that can match my gas permeable contact lenses. I might need to find a better eye doctor to see what they can do for me.

HD lenses in glasses now, huh? I need to look into those too.

 

[BobD]

Re: Ah, There's my Reticle- Astigmatism

Im telling you. Its a night and day difference. I cant believe how much I was missing. I think after time passes you get used to it; I did for years. HD glass is out by Zeiss and a good handful of lens companies. You pay a premium for it... I have vision insurance and they end up covering a small portion of each addition. Ie. 20% coverage for upgraded glass, 20% of premium anti reflection upgrade etc...

I saw an ophthalmologist for exam then to optician. I believe optometrist can do lenses and contacts as well.

They said they make contacts that will correct for astigmatism now as well. I would like to try that as well.

Everything looks different to me, even enhances in contrast is astonishing

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Ah, There's my Reticle- Astigmatism

The contacts that correct for it are the ones I'm wearing, and they work wonderfully. I have 20/15 vision with them in and I have yet to find a pair of glasses that can correct me beyond 20/20, making me used to this as my new norm.

I'll look into the new glasses on my next trip stateside, and hopefully they can get me a good backup to what I normally wear.

 

[BobD]

Re: Ah, There's my Reticle- Astigmatism

Thats interesting you have been able to correct that much further with contacts. I understand that lenses correct astigmatic issues like Keratoconus better than glasses can.

What was your vision before contacts?
I'd like to pick up contacts as well... Any brands you've been through you're especially happy with/ appear better with the Toric style correction for astigmatism?

I've read the hard, gas permeable are the only type for this condition.

Thanks,
Good luck finding a pair that's better suited-

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Ah, There's my Reticle- Astigmatism

I'm using Boston/Bausch and Lomb gas permeable. I tried the torric types back in the mid 90s, but they could ONLY get me to 20/20. The ophthalmologist that was working with me then stated that was as good as they got, and to not expect the same type of performance from them as my gas perm.

If your doctor says they will work for you too, then I definitely recommend them. Yes, they take some getting used to and the other downside is they are sensitive to dust in comparison to soft lenses, but for me the upside is worth it. I've been wearing them for 25 years with great performance. One benefit of the rigid lenses is your eyes don't get worse, and I've worn the same set of contacts for 5-7 years before I would break or lose one requiring replacement. You do have to remove them nightly though.

Oh, without lenses? 20/200 with an astigmatism in the 4+ region, off the top of my head. Bad enough I've been told I'm a poor candidate for corrective surgery.

 

[BobD]

Re: Ah, There's my Reticle- Astigmatism

These are the lenses I bought.
It's unfortunate that the image uploading and posting had to be degraded. It went from 8 MP to less than 1 MP so quite a bit is lost.

Even the view along the edges are nice. Obviously the image looks very different to me; fine lines become bolder and more distinct. Because of the negative spherical correction it look slightly smaller but by fixing the astigmatism it has the opposite effect for me.
They came in at $660

Although they were expensive I can't see myself going back to the cheaper type I had before. I didn't even use the others shooting-

 

[boone3380]

Re: Ah, There's my Reticle- Astigmatism

It sucks getting old. I've been wearing Acuvue Oasys Astigmatism for a couple years now and love them. They cost a little more but well worth it.

 

[WTW]

Re: Ah, There's my Reticle- Astigmatism

I have -4 and -4.5 with an astigmatism in my right eye. My eye doc had me setup a few years ago with Bausch & Lomb daily disposable's (toric) for my eye with the astigmatism and I am at 20/15 as of my last check up (1/27/13). Before I had these lens my eyes always hurt. In my opinion the daily disposables are the only way to go if you get contacts. I still notice the astigmatism a little bit looking through a red dot or similar but not scopes. If I need a 0 magnification optic I just use a Leupold Prismatic, so I dont get the halo.

 

[BobD]

Re: Ah, There's my Reticle- Astigmatism

I don't have much experience with contacts but would like to start using them. Are there differences in quality or how well your vision is corrected when comparing the disposables to hard lenses (used for longer period of time)?

Also, within brands such as Bausch and Lomb... Are there different enhancements like glasses have (ie. different materials etc...) or just proper fitting and correction?

Aside from going back and being fitted I'm not sure where to start as far as brands or anything specific to the actual quality of them.

I understand some likes may be specific to the wearer but I'd would like to hear if there's anything to either seek out or stay away from.

I appreciate the feedback,
Thanks-

 

[WTW]

Re: Ah, There's my Reticle- Astigmatism

Bob,
I have worn conacts since I was in middle school (29 now). I always wore soft lens so not sure about the difference with hard lenses. I imagine that there are different materials and qualities between lenses. I have had my current brand for two years and my eye doc asked if I was still happy or wanted to try the newest and greatest. Right now I am happy but I am sure there are huge differences in lens I just dont know where to look for that info.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Ah, There's my Reticle- Astigmatism

I haven't tried the soft lenses since '96, so I really don't know how well they have advanced. What I was looking for at the time was something I could wear extended in the field without the issues of dust sensitivity. Extract on a helo really sucks with gas permeable lenses! Also rain and fogging of my glasses was my other concern.

For me, the soft just didn't work. My vision wasn't as good, they liked to fold up at times on me, and insertion and extraction was much harder. Maybe they have advanced since then. I also has serious drying issues and I had to constantly use eye drops.

The rigid lenses work for me, but they do take some getting used to. Your eye lid essentially has to build up a callus to them, so you build how long you wear them for in the beginning. Don't sleep with them in if you can help it, but that isn't the end of the world if you do, just a pain in the ass if your eye dries out and they stick. I've cut onions just to get my eyes to tear up and release them. Daily wear is no problem at all for me.

Speak with your doctor about what is best for you. I will never go back to wearing glasses all the time so long as my vision holds out, but glasses definitely have their place for me as well.