Need optometrist who knows shooting

#1

I need some help. I wear contacts for normal vision and use reading "cheaters" for small print or extended reading. (Have you noticed that print seems to be shrinking recently; sometimes while I'm looking at it!) My normal prescription is +2.00 and has been for about 4 years.

When shooting, I currently use normal sun glasses (different colored lenses for different days), but I used to use glasses that were +1.00 reading â€œcheaters.â€? With the +1.00 cheater, my front sight was crystal clear and targets out to about 20 yds. were only slightly blurrier than normal.

I experimented with the stick-on bifocals by cutting them smaller and installing them in the top portion of some Ray-Ban sunglasses. This way, they are not in my regular field of view, but when I'm in my normal shooting stance with my head bent slightly down, I'm looking through the +1.00 bifocal portion of the lense. This works great! So, when I went to see my ophthalmologist for my regular checkup, I asked him to give me a prescription for bifocals, but with only a +1.00 "bump" and placing it in the top of the lense. In essence, my bifocals would be 0 correction in all of the lense, and +1.00 in the top. He won't do it! (I actually have a funny story about explaining why I wanted it, but I'm not putting that on the Internet.)

So, does anyone know an optometrist that is a shooter and will understand why I want this? I like my doctor and I'm not going to change for this reason, I just want an optometrist to write the prescription so I can get some glasses cut.

Thanks,
Chas.

jimlongley · #2

I used to know such a one, but unfortunately I left him behind in IL when I finally moved back to TX. I don't know if he does business mail order, but if I can find info on him I'll pass it on.

In my experience there are various options available in the glasses catalogs. Last time I ordered my tri-focals as "computer glasses" and had him set the focal distance to my front sight distance. The tri-focals I got were a standard catalog item.

I also used to have a pair of "phone man" bi-focals, upside down for working overhead, also a standard catalog item.

ElGato · #3

Hello Charles
I would check with D.C. Bright 409-945-5511 at 3325 Plamer Hwy. Texas City, he is shooter enough to understand what you want, he helped me, there is also PSC member Sam Martin ( skeet shooter from way back) 2702 Palmer Hwy. T.C. 409-948-0172 I think Sam is retired but still own's the place, I would suggest you talk to both of them ( not employee's ) .
Tom

p.s. I sure wish I could have been there Sat. but my weekly classes are set up well in advance, no way I could cancel or change it.

sensei · #4

I know of two here in Friendswood.

One I like alot and he is a good doctor (the one I use), and will work with you anyway he can. The other is a shooter but I think his prices are too high.

Call me or PM me, if you like, and I will tell you a few things about each one. You can decide for yourself which one would best fit your needs.

sensei