Rifle Scopes Astigmatism and optics

[beachhair234]

I've got a different question for you guys. I have a slight astigmatism in both of my eyes. I'm "newish" to magnified optics, but have used my Aimpoint ML3 on my AR extensively and have had to deal with the "flare" due to my astigmatism. I currently have a 3-10x Weaver Grand Slam and sometimes I have to blink a few times due the reticle being out of focus. No amount of adjusting the eye piece thinger helps. Is this due to my astigmatism as well? Will I have this same issue with the higher end optics (NF, USO, S&B, etc.)? One thought I just had is that it could be due to the fact that my ML3 is considered an illuminated reticle. If I go with an illuminated magnified optic will I have the same issues?

Thanks.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

I have a pretty good astigmatism in my shooting eye and don't have any problems with my S&Bs or never had any with any scope I have used.

 

[Walt K]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

I also have astigmatism in both eyes. I always wear my " far" vision glasses when I shoot.

This condition is especially noticeable when shooting a pistol with a red dot sight. Then I must absoulutely wear my "far" vision glasses to eliminate the flare(ing), star burst, and out of round dot effect.

 

[RobfromME]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

Good morning, uscgbeachbum,

I have astigmatism in both eyes and have experienced what you've described. I find that it is most pronounced when I have a cheek weld that tilts my head slightly so that I'm looking through a part of my glasses where the axis correction is no longer valid. (Astigmatism is corrected in both the vertical and horizontal depending on eye shape). A way to see this is to take your glasses correcting the astigmatism and turn them 90 degrees around the sight axis. You'll see the image is not as clear. Without astigmatism correction, it is not as obvious. That may be the problem.

Since you can't adjust your scope to correct for astigmatism, you may want to speak to your eye doctor. My doctor's Dad was a high power shooter and she's very familiar with correction for shooters. Since last July when she corrected my eyes after listening to my observations while shooting, I've never seen better...even away from the range.

F*$#@@%%^ astigmatism is a real pain in the ass. It's been a burden at times.

Best wishes, and let us know how it turns out.

Warmest regards,
Rob

 

[samnev]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

I also have it in both eyes but haven't had the problem. Perhaps it's because I get new glases every 2 years. I also have the blinking problem my optometrist suggested it's probably a eye muscle fatique factor if I am trying to hold the sight picture to long.

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

uscg, I have astigmatism too, but have never had problems with magnified optics.

On a side note, I had dealing with the "flare" of red dots. I went with the ACOG TA44S. 1.5X magnification, which doesn't hurt, VERY generous eye relief. In fact, it's so broad that calling it eye relief is almost a misnomer. In any case, no more problems with flaring, since the ACOG is an etched reticle rather than a projected dot. My ACOG has a circle/dot reticle similar to that of the Eotechs, except that it is very clean and defined.

 

[beachhair234]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

Thanks for all the info. I was really worried about this especially since I have to blink several times on occasion to get my current reticle to clear up. Sure, you can look through several at the range, but it doesn't give you the amount of time to see if this thing is an issue.

 

[EventHorizon]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

There is a cure, but it's expensive - Hensoldt.

Seriously, I had a very bad astigmatism in my right eye. To boot, I'm left eye dominant. I found shooting with scopes with low eye relief or tunneling to be the most problematic. Not because I can't see the target, but from comfort and ease of focus/clarity. The forgiveness of the sight picture of the Hensoldt has made a huge difference to me and allows me to shoot with both eyes open where before, I had to close the left.

You might consider LASIK to remove the astigmatism.

 

[boltcatch]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: uscgbeachbum</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got a different question for you guys. I have a slight astigmatism in both of my eyes. I'm "newish" to magnified optics, but have used my Aimpoint ML3 on my AR extensively and have had to deal with the "flare" due to my astigmatism. </div></div>

Try looking at your Aimpoint dot through a rear BUIS aperature, preferably the small one. I find that it helps me even without my glasses on.

 

[WTW]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

I also have that darn astigmatism in my dominant eye. I dont really notice it much when rifle shooting but when shooting clays my left eyer is clearer. My eye doctor knows Im a shooter and my last appointment he had some new contact lens in that were specially made for astigmatisms and people who need to be able to focus on things rapidly and concentrate for a little period of time. I use daily disposible lens and since changing to them have noticed my eyes dont get fatigued as much. They are very thin.

My eye doctor was a good salesman because they flat out work. He was like a drug dealer he gave me my first taste for free and knew I would be back. The right lens and good scopes make a huge difference.

 

[Diesile]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

I shoot HP and CMP matches also a little F class. Both eyes have
a 1.75 correction in the glasses for astigmatism. Without that correction shooting either iron sights or scope yields a second
image that over laps the first making accurate shooting a chance
situation

Using NV gear without the correction magnifies the blur for some
reason leaving me to believe that astigmatism uncorrected can be
a real deficient in the shooting game.

 

[tross]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

I have astigmatism in both eyes, been shooting competition for several years and glasses have always been a problem. I didn't know that this could be corrected with contacts. Is this something new because I go to the eye doctor yearly and ask every time if there is something new out to get rid of glasses.

 

[beachhair234]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tom Ross</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have astigmatism in both eyes, been shooting competition for several years and glasses have always been a problem. I didn't know that this could be corrected with contacts. Is this something new because I go to the eye doctor yearly and ask every time if there is something new out to get rid of glasses. </div></div>

There are 2 ways to correct it with contacts. You can either have a higher power contact (a good optometrist should be able to adjust for it) [this is what I currently use] or contacts specifically designed for astigmatism. These special contacts are weighted on one side so they are a better fit, but cost more.

 

[sunburned]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

Dr Norman Wong, eye Dr and shooter:
http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/nwongarts.html

 

[tross]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

thanks for the info

 

[One-Eyed Jack]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boltcatch</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: uscgbeachbum</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got a different question for you guys. I have a slight astigmatism in both of my eyes. I'm "newish" to magnified optics, but have used my Aimpoint ML3 on my AR extensively and have had to deal with the "flare" due to my astigmatism. </div></div>

Try looking at your Aimpoint dot through a rear BUIS aperature, preferably the small one. I find that it helps me even without my glasses on. </div></div>
Astigmatism is the result of an imperfectly shaped eyeball. If you are using a scope with a small exit pupil diameter (= objective diameter/magnification), or look through a peep sight first, then you are preventing light from passing through a larger area of your eye and eliminating the effect of some of these imperfections.

I don't usually have an issue if a scope has a diopter adjustment, but red dots can be problemmatic if viewed from an angle, as many have said. I wear glasses and have to sight though the upper inside corner of one lens (a weird part of anyone's corrective lenses) but the diopter adjustment can be adjusted for a good image.

When wearing glasses, I have had a problem with small scopes like the Hensoldt 4x24, ELCAN SpecterDR, and ACOG that do not have a diopter adjustment to offset the unwanted correction. I can use these scopes without my glasses, but have to put them on again when I look at the target without the scope. Ugh!

 

[offroadr1]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

try having an astigmatism and being colorblind. i borrowed my buddies leica rangefinder. it was a very frustrating time. i just ordered some custom glasses. rayban aviator frames and lenses that have the optical center raised so that when i am on the rifle, my vision is corrected as i look out the top part of the lense as opposed to being centered like traditional lenses,

 

[striker nz]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

Yep reddot optics are a PIA for me.cant really use any optics with out a diopter adjustment with glasses on, unless i have a really consistant cheek weld. But I have to take my glasses off to use Bino's and spotting scopes

 

[hayboy]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

62 y old and astigmatism, tried contacts but had a lot of trouble using them. They had a cup that would hardly balance on your finger to put them in. It seems I need a lot higher power scope to be equal to my friends when shooting. I just try to make the best out of a bad situation.

 

[Helidriver]

Re: Astigmatism and optics

I have a similar problem to the op. Question...what does the diopter adjustment actually do? I understand how to use it but does it correct your vision? Can it be adjusted so no glasses are needed? I've never heard a clear explination.