Rifle Scopes Argh, My Eyes!!

[Nostradumbass]

This is really got me worried....I have near sighted issues that is corrected to 20/15 with corrective lenses, but...
For some reason at 100yds, when I'm testing loads my eyes play tricks on me. I'm shooting with Shmidt, Leupold, and Nightforce, and the same prob. with all of them.
If I stare for a long time at the target, the bullseye becomes blurry, and I have to look away and go back, I can focus for a little bit and its starts to blur again, etc.
I've tried focus on the eyepiece, and the paralax. Still giving me problems.
If anyone else experiences this problem, let me know what's going on, and if there's anything I can do about it.

Oh, I can glass in the field for hours, its just looking at the grid and circles on the targets at close range.
Thanks for your time!
Phillip

 

[Sniper52]

Re: Argh, My Eyes!!

Your not supposed to stare and focus on the target. You should stare at the crosshairs and the target will be slightly out of focus. It is common when you eyes fatigue to loose the crosshairs, it happens to all of us. Just take a minute, get off the rifle for a few and go back to it. Hope this is helpful. I would not really worry about it as long as no one is shooting back things will be fine. JAA

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: Argh, My Eyes!!

I have the same issue. My eyes will get blurred so I do what the poster said above - take some time out and get my eyes back focused. I know that didn't happen when I was younger but then again lots of things don't work as well as they did when I was younger.

 

[jakermeister]

Re: Argh, My Eyes!!

I have contacts too. Try shooting with both eyes open if your not. It gives you just a bit longer to focus.

 

[Platypus]

Re: Argh, My Eyes!!

Sniper52 is correct concentrate on the crosshairs and even with quality glass there will be a difference in the focal plane the eye is working in. The difference can be noticable depending on your individual eye issues. The two eye open thing can be a help as it does not fatigue the eyes as quickly, our eyes are designed to work together and closing one will still fatigue the open eye. Another trick is to roll off the glass for a short period and look something green, but do not stare at any particular item or focal distance. Green is a soft color that the eye likes and will actually help relax the eyes. Get a white index card or similar plain white item and hold it, or have someone else hold it about 6" in front of the objective lense then focus the eyepiece so that the reticle is sharp and clear in your vision. Once you have done this bringing the magnified image of down range, to as close as possible to the same plane as the reticle, is the job of the parallex and or adjustable objective. Hope this helps.

 

[chalwie]

Re: Argh, My Eyes!!

Another common problem is dry eyes, which is more prevalent and worse with aging. It is typical when concentrating to stare (which happens to computer users also). As you get older, the tear production decreases which causes dry spots on your cornea faster than when you're young. If you're in a competitive moment (as in shooting for groups), it gets worse because adrenaline further drys out your eyes.

A few suggestions to overcome these issues:
1. Use a quality artificial tears before shooting (ie. Alcon Systane Ultra).
2. Blink 5 times immediately and deliberately prior to aiming/trigger pull to increase tear distribution.
3. Hydrate well 30 minutes before going to range.
4. Always wear protective eye-wear; bigger the wrap-around frame, the more it'll help avoid drying from the environment in addition to obvious protection.

Hope it helps, good luck.
Chalwie (I'm an ophthalmologist)

 

[Switchblade]

Re: Argh, My Eyes!!

I had the same issue when looking through the scope at the target last year. New pair of glasses fixed it right up, but now I can't read jack unless it's 18" away

 

[desertrat1979]

Re: Argh, My Eyes!!

I had an issue like that but it was an eye dominance issue. I am lefty, but dominance in the right eye. I tried to correct it, tried to shoot both eyes open, but all my focus came from my right eye forcing me to close it. My left eye would quickly fatigue and make shooting not so fun. Only solution I have come to is learning to shoot right handed using my dominant eye. A little awkward but its actually more comfortable, and I am able to keep both eyes open and focus longer.

 

[jakermeister]

Re: Argh, My Eyes!!

desertrat,

try wearing safety glasses with some tape over your dominant eye (non-shooting).

 

[CSiebert]

Re: Argh, My Eyes!!

I also have trouble with losing focus things getting blurry in the scope especially when I take too long to squeeze a round off and I think it is from holding my breath to long. If I take a breath and relax my vision becomes clearer.

 

[Insayn]

Re: Argh, My Eyes!!

Staring at something green is suppose to relieve eye fatigue better than any other color (not through the scope of course).

 

[The Shottist]

Re: Argh, My Eyes!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pwhite</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is really got me worried....I have near sighted issues that is corrected to 20/15 with corrective lenses, but...
For some reason at 100yds, when I'm testing loads my eyes play tricks on me. I'm shooting with Shmidt, Leupold, and Nightforce, and the same prob. with all of them.
If I stare for a long time at the target, the bullseye becomes blurry, and I have to look away and go back, I can focus for a little bit and its starts to blur again, etc.
I've tried focus on the eyepiece, and the paralax. Still giving me problems.
If anyone else experiences this problem, let me know what's going on, and if there's anything I can do about it.

Oh, I can glass in the field for hours, its just looking at the grid and circles on the targets at close range.
Thanks for your time!
Phillip </div></div>I would bet that the focus is not correct. Remember, you are focusing the reticle, not the target. Try turning your focus all the way right, then slowly turn left until the reticle is focused. Put a pencil mark on the eyepiece. Now turn the focus all the way left, then slowly turn it right until the reticle is focused. See if the pencil mark is in the same spot. If not, you aren't getting it focused properly.

 

[Nostradumbass]

Re: Argh, My Eyes!!

Thanks guys for all of your input........I feel a little better about my situation and will use your recommended techniques.
Phillip