AR 15 Optics for people with an Astigatism

[Congo]

I have an EOtech 552 that I have discovered I cannot use because of the distortion of the red holographic image. 

 

1. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

 

2. What optics did you use that worked for you?

 

Thinking about just sticking with the irons because that eliminates all problems! :)

[Dolomite_supafly]

Not going to find a red dot that does look like a number 8 or a comma. It drives me crazy and I even talked to my optometrist about it and he said they cannot correct the astigmatism. But with that I did see another optometrist and he had a prescription made that seemed to help a lot.

 

Find a optometrist that is involved in shooting and see what he can do for you.

[Wiljo05]

I have an astigmatism in both eyes, and just recently tried glasses and contacts. For what it's worth, see if your eye doctor will help you out. My red dot sights as well as finding my front sight (when I remember to look for it) is amazingly better.

Contacts didn't work out because they didn't come in the exact prescription that I needed, and even the closest made it worse...but glasses have made a drastic difference to say the least.

My doc was even ok with me drawing and getting a sight picture (on a cold weapon of course) while in the office to see if the correction made a real world difference to me or not...

Get it checked out and if they have a prescription try it. It's worth it!

[R1100R]

I had glasses made at Ft Benning by a military doc that was a
shooter and they work great.

[Congo]

Good thoughts guys. I appreciate it.

[cj0e]

Etched reticle. Best solution I've found for mine (slight, but enough to make a pretty starburst out of daylight visible red dots!)

 

I use a 1-5x scope, allows me to shoot both eyes open, and gets the benefit of some magnification when i want it.

 

I've looked through one of the Leupold Prismatic Tactical - was nice, but I can't justify spending another $500 when the scope I have works great.

[Caster]

I have an astigmatism and am color blind (red/green).
There are no red dots that I can use. Aim point and Eotech, both set on the highest setting, I cannot see unless it's almost dark out. Sucks.

Ohh well, thanks Nikon, for building affordable, top quality scopes.

[jmevis]

I have the same problem. But I don’t let it bother me, If I am taking my time to make a precise shot then I flip up my rear(only) back up iron sight. Forcing my eye to co-witness looking thorough the peep hole, it always makes the 2MOA dot on my Aim Point crystal clear and a perfect dot. Try it you might be surprised. Deff a lot cheaper than an eye doctor. 

Edited February 2, 2015 by jmevis

[Caster]

I'd like to invent an Eotech style dot sight. Bear with me here....the device has a motion sensor that makes the circle surround the dot slowly flicker until movement stops. That way as you scan for target, the flicker draws attention to the spot you should be looking. The motion sensor shouldn't be overly sensitive though so it doesn't disturb your aim when you pause for a shot.
Also the dot and circle should be different colors.

I believe this would help me because I CAN actually see the dot, but it takes several seconds to find it. Moving causes me to lose it. I can shoot my wife's Eotech somewhat as long as it's on its brightest setting because the circle draws my eye to the dot. Problem is an Eotech's reticle gets fuzzy at wide open throttle.


This problem will never be addressed though, there's no money in it. There's not enough people with fricked up eyes like mine to justify what it'd cost to develop the product.

[peejman]

Not going to find a red dot that does look like a number 8 or a comma. It drives me crazy and I even talked to my optometrist about it and he said they cannot correct the astigmatism. But with that I did see another optometrist and he had a prescription made that seemed to help a lot.

 

Find a optometrist that is involved in shooting and see what he can do for you.

 

Go see Dr. Vines at Envision here in Maryville.  I chatted with him last time I was in there and said he has several competitive shooters at patients.  He's even had them bring their firearms in for on-site evaluation of various alternatives. 

[Congo]

Good to know I am not alone in this.

[bowtieguy]

I find the trijicons to be very clear as they use fiber optic lighting vs the red dots. I've had an eotech and sold it and although I love the glass in my leupold the illuminated reticle still isn't as clear as it should be. Try an acog or accupoint and see what you think.

[runco]

I have a pretty strong astigmatism the main reason I wear glasses.  Maybe I didn't know that I had a problem, my Eotech is a little fuzzy, but honestly thought it was the pixels because I can see each pixel and each is just a little bit fuzzy, but I do know when I acquire the target the dot becomes not my main focal point, the target is, its like my 2nd nature.  As for my Aimpoint, its just a bright clear dot, no fuzz around the edges.

[LawVol]

I can't use an EOTech or red dot without glasses.  I have prescription Oakleys (tinted and untinted varieties) that double as eye-pro.  The glasses help significantly, but, just judging by how other people say the reticle should look, it's not a 100% improvement.  

 

As mentioned above, etched reticle with illumination, like a Burris M-Tac, is the way to go.  

Edited February 3, 2015 by LawVol

[samson7x]

My wife is an optometrist and has set me up with some prescription sunglasses.  I didn't realize I had a problem till she "practiced" on me for her board exams.  I have astigmatism as well and, with glasses, reticles are much more clear.  I'm not an eotech fan, but my aimpoint was definitely hazy without glasses.

 

You may also try green reticles.  My wife suggested this and presented the science behind why it may be better for me.  I don't remember the reasons why it's better, but I have found that trijicon green reticles are amazing.  I have an ACOG with green horshoe reticle and I can actually use it without glasses and it's still fairly precise. 

 

So, in summary: (1) Definitely check with another doc to get some prescription lenses/contacts.  (2) Give the trijicon green reticles a try.

[Congo]

Yes, I have both glasses and contact and regularly see my ophthalmologist. My visual distortion is bad, like I cant see anything without corrective lenses.  It has never given me any problems till i looked through the EOtech...and the search begins. 

 

I will give an ACOG a look and I really like the idea of a green recticle. I can picture where that might help.

[Slappy]

I think this will just have to be a path of self discovery for you because each persons astigmatism is different and affects us in different ways.  I have astigmatisms in both eyes and it drives me nuts.  For me, I can't see the Chevron's...so some of the pistol Leupolds or Trijicon Acogs...I cannot see worth a crap.  I see 2 chevrons and I almost don't hardly know which one to use, lol.  I have found that aim point type recticles look sorta like a starburst and the best for me is actually the EOtech.  Sometimes I see it double, I guess it just depends on how good of a blink I get.   I wear both contacts and glasses.  It seems best when I wear glasses, but I much prefer contacts for everything else.  Good luck to you.  It may be red dots don't work for you but there are many other options that will likely work out perfectly for you.  

[Dolomite_supafly]

My astigmatism is a number 8 when shooting red dots. If the two dots weren't so close they would work great for hold over. The 8 is kind of tilted too.

[Djay3]

I've looked through one of the Leupold Prismatic Tactical - was nice, but I can't justify spending another $500 when the scope I have works great.

Another vote for the Prismatic as one to also try. The circle plus cross hair is a bit of a busy look but it was easily adjusted to.