Nearsightedness and Self-defense?
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I've been doing a lot of thinking about this lately. I'm VERY nearsighted. Something like 20/1000 in one eye and 20/800 in the other. I literally can't see anything clearly that's more than five inches from my face unless I'm wearing my glasses. Obviously that's a big problem in a potential SD situation. After a punch to the face or a fall to the pavement that jars my glasses loose, I can no longer effectively identify or hit a target. Does anyone else here have this problem, and if so what have you done to deal with it? I can't think of anything except to start saving for Lasik surgery, or start walking around with goggles on. The only real step I've taken thus far is to make sure my glasses are always on the same spot on the nightstand before I go to bed every night. That way if someone breaks in, I won't have to fumble for them. Hardly a foolproof solution but so far it's the best I've got. All comments are welcome. :smile:
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Forgot to mention, I wore contacts in the past and while they are an improvement, they're far from perfect. They can be knocked askew just like glasses, it just takes a harder hit. I quit wearing them because my job required me to stare at a computer screen for hours on end. You blink about half as often while looking at a screen as you do normally. This plays havoc on contacts, it feels a lot like having a large rock in your eye.
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I am hypermetropic - partly long sight of old age and often wish I was myopic, but not quite that much!!
To a degree, loss of glasses with medium near sightedness can be useful - certainly for a good sight picture but then the penalty is, indistinct ID aspects re a target.
Re dry eyes at puter - get to my age - mine are too darned wet most of the day!!!
Could well be Lasik is your best option.
To a degree, loss of glasses with medium near sightedness can be useful - certainly for a good sight picture but then the penalty is, indistinct ID aspects re a target.
Re dry eyes at puter - get to my age - mine are too darned wet most of the day!!!
Could well be Lasik is your best option.
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I diont think anything can be as frightening as not be able to see. You might want to invest in sport glasses if youre really concerned.
I think if I was in that same situation, I would try to get the attackers clothing balled up in my left hand while I pulled an edge from my pocket with my right. That way I would know I was gutting the right person. Not many options here.
I think if I was in that same situation, I would try to get the attackers clothing balled up in my left hand while I pulled an edge from my pocket with my right. That way I would know I was gutting the right person. Not many options here.
There is another procedure called PRK (photo refractive kerototomy?) that I have heard of. I don't know much about it, but if you do a google on "vision correction" you'll probably be able to find out what you need to know. It seems to me there was also a procedure that used some sort of implants to re-shape the eye - it was supposed to be reversible (remove the implants) in case there was a problem.
I have a friend who tried Ortho keratology (sp?) as he was contemplating an airline pilot career and needed 20/20. That procedure has you wear contacts to reshape your eyes temporarily. I recall he had to wear the contacts for a certain number of hours per day, but could take them out and his vision would be good for a while. That was several years ago, I don't know if the newer procedures have made it obsolete, but it sounds like it might work for you if you could wear the contacts at home and take them out when you went to work, etc.
It is worth noting that some procedures might disqualify you from certain types of work (for example, some flying jobs, I think deep sea diving, etc.). If you have any possibility of changing careers, it might be worth checking to make sure vision correction isn't a problem.
Good luck.
SSKC
I have a friend who tried Ortho keratology (sp?) as he was contemplating an airline pilot career and needed 20/20. That procedure has you wear contacts to reshape your eyes temporarily. I recall he had to wear the contacts for a certain number of hours per day, but could take them out and his vision would be good for a while. That was several years ago, I don't know if the newer procedures have made it obsolete, but it sounds like it might work for you if you could wear the contacts at home and take them out when you went to work, etc.
It is worth noting that some procedures might disqualify you from certain types of work (for example, some flying jobs, I think deep sea diving, etc.). If you have any possibility of changing careers, it might be worth checking to make sure vision correction isn't a problem.
Good luck.
SSKC
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I have extremely bad eyes and wear contacts during the day (I stare at a computer all day, too) and wear my glasses at night. My glasses are 1/4" thick, and those are the special "ultra-thin" lenses. 
My eyes dried out a lot for several months when I first got contacts, so I used my Blink! eyedrops a lot. They were fine after I got used to them, and I wear my contacts from 7am to 11pm. It's nice having clear peripheral vision.
I have XSSights Big Dots on my USPc - they're big and great for us poor-sighted people.
If your glasses get knocked off in a fight, the one who knocked it off is now a big, fuzzy silhouette target. :lol: Maybe a close-quarters, non-firearm weapon (like a knife) and proper training in that weapon would benefit you, if you're worried about shooting innocent bystanders because you can't clearly see things.
My eyes dried out a lot for several months when I first got contacts, so I used my Blink! eyedrops a lot. They were fine after I got used to them, and I wear my contacts from 7am to 11pm. It's nice having clear peripheral vision.
I have XSSights Big Dots on my USPc - they're big and great for us poor-sighted people.
If your glasses get knocked off in a fight, the one who knocked it off is now a big, fuzzy silhouette target. :lol: Maybe a close-quarters, non-firearm weapon (like a knife) and proper training in that weapon would benefit you, if you're worried about shooting innocent bystanders because you can't clearly see things.
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I too was really nearsighted with astigmatism on top of that. I had to wear hard contacts (or glasses) to deal with the astigmatism. At the end of the "RK" era, just before lasik matured, I had RK done on both eyes. That ended nearsightedness and the astigmatism.
About two months ago I had an eye exam and my right eye was better than 20-20 and my left eye wasn't bad. It was still recovering from cataract surgery.
Something that people often don't realize is that lasik cannot correct everything. If you are young, i.e. less than 40 (I know that hurt didn't it) and have lasik done you'll likely have excellent vision both near and far. But as you get older, the lens in the eye gets stiffer and won't focus up close any more. There is no fix for that other than reading glasses, etc.
So, if you are nearsighted, you have really great vision up close but you can't see very far away. If you have lasik surgery, you can gain great vision but you may loose the ability to see up close if you've reached the age where your lens have stiffened and hence have lost a lot of focus range.
My doctor made me aware of this before we did the RK. I wound up with my left eye set for distance and my right for closer up. That works great for me, but it drives some people batty. What you gain by the different focal powers is the ability to read the time from you watch, focus on the front sight of your handgun with one eye, and see distant objects with the other eye.
It works great for me, but as I said, others just can't adjust to it. I understand that some doctors have their patients try the different power idea with contacts before surgery to see if the arrangement is workable with the person.
About two months ago I had an eye exam and my right eye was better than 20-20 and my left eye wasn't bad. It was still recovering from cataract surgery.
Something that people often don't realize is that lasik cannot correct everything. If you are young, i.e. less than 40 (I know that hurt didn't it) and have lasik done you'll likely have excellent vision both near and far. But as you get older, the lens in the eye gets stiffer and won't focus up close any more. There is no fix for that other than reading glasses, etc.
So, if you are nearsighted, you have really great vision up close but you can't see very far away. If you have lasik surgery, you can gain great vision but you may loose the ability to see up close if you've reached the age where your lens have stiffened and hence have lost a lot of focus range.
My doctor made me aware of this before we did the RK. I wound up with my left eye set for distance and my right for closer up. That works great for me, but it drives some people batty. What you gain by the different focal powers is the ability to read the time from you watch, focus on the front sight of your handgun with one eye, and see distant objects with the other eye.
It works great for me, but as I said, others just can't adjust to it. I understand that some doctors have their patients try the different power idea with contacts before surgery to see if the arrangement is workable with the person.
Aging Eyes
Yeah, when I was on active duty I bought a set of those "combat glasses" from Brigade Quarter Master and had prescription lenses made to fit. They were UGLY as hell, but with the little "shock absorber" frames and rubber head strap I could use pugil sticks and be safe. Thankfully I just got my latest eye exam and my vision has shifted from nearsighted to far sighted. One good aspect of the aging process at age 49.... Anyway farsighted is good for shooting and bad for reading or computer work.rocky said:
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Roadrunner, I can relate to your problem. I am also very nearsighted (20/200) in the left eye, and 00/00 in the right. It's artifical ,due to a very stupid accident many years ago. In addition to that, I require tri-focals, which compound the focus problems with sighting. I would strongly suggest consulting the very best Doctor available and consider the surgery route. In the meantime, always have replacement glasses available - several pair - and practice close up shooting with the glasses off. Be satisfied with COM hits on a sihouette target. You will be very satisfied with the results after some serious practice. (Example - in Texas a perfect qualifing score for CC license is 250. My three qualifing scores have been 250/250, 250/250 and last year 242/250. If I can do it, YOU CAN TOO.) Practice Practice Practice. One last thing and most important for everyone - wear those safety glasses all the time. They safed my life.
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If you're considering Lasik, make sure you do thorough research. I was considering Lasik before I got contacts, but my eye doc advised against it. Because of my young age, my poor vision, and the fact that I stare at a computer all day, he said my eyes will still change after I get the surgery and a few years down the road, I'll need glasses (or contacts) again. So the only benefit of having Lasik now is enjoying a couple glasses-free years, and then I'm back to sticking lenses on my eyeballs again. It wasn't worth it in my case.
So I settle for the disposable contact lenses, and 12 pairs turned out to be half the price of one pair of glasses! I keep my glasses for night-time use, and keep an older pair for backup in my bugout bag.
And if you do decide to get Lasik - don't get the "budget eye job" you see gleefully advertised (unless you want to see weird halos); you really need to spend the extra $ to get the custom eye job tailored for your prescription.
So I settle for the disposable contact lenses, and 12 pairs turned out to be half the price of one pair of glasses! I keep my glasses for night-time use, and keep an older pair for backup in my bugout bag.
And if you do decide to get Lasik - don't get the "budget eye job" you see gleefully advertised (unless you want to see weird halos); you really need to spend the extra $ to get the custom eye job tailored for your prescription.
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Get in a good Combatives class, teaching transition of force in both directions. Training for body-index shooting could be helpful- practice slowly and carefully with your glasses on, and note what you physically do to make hits. Then. Take the glasses off and try a couple of shots at "the Blob" using the same posture (isosolese, mod Weaver, whatever was working), reevaluate. Try again, ad nauseum.
Basically, build your confidence "handicapped", and get comfortable transitioning to the "gun-as-a-club", knife, empty hand, etc..
Basically, build your confidence "handicapped", and get comfortable transitioning to the "gun-as-a-club", knife, empty hand, etc..
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Good points, Betty, but even if your vision changes, and I agree that it will, you may have ten or more years of good vision before correction is needed. Plus, even if/when you need glasses/contacts they won't have to be as strong (thick, heavy, etc.). Hence even if you lost you contact/glasses for whatever reason, you would likely still be "operational".Betty said:
Also, if in 5 - 10 years your eyes need correction, it's likely that it would be possible to get "lasik" adjustments instead of going the glasses/contact route.
Just some things to think about.
Same thing here--I'm nearsighted with a terrible astigmatism. I wear my glasses every waking moment and am pretty helpless without them. I have no interest in Lasik due to potential complications (I'm a juvenile diabetic), not to mention I'm not a fan of elective surgeries to begin with.
The most important thing I do is always ensure that I buy glasses that fit properly and offer a wide field of vision. I don't want to look like some dweeb from the 50's, but I'll sacrifice style to protect effectiveness any day. When you can see well, you're more aware of your surroundings, and when your glasses fit well, they're less prone to falling off or being knocked off.
I will also wear a neck strap if necessary (haven't had the need outside of strenuous physical activities), so that's something to consider as well. Looks goofy, but life is more important than looks.
Most of all, I check my six and evaluate my surroundings continuously so I have time to think and react if I end up in a dangerous sitution. I don't have 'Principles of Personal Defense' in front of me, but Cooper referenced a quote that went something like this: "A [battlefield] commander may be forgiven for being defeated, but never for being surprised."
Remember that surprise is principle seven--make sure it stays with you and not the bad guy.
The most important thing I do is always ensure that I buy glasses that fit properly and offer a wide field of vision. I don't want to look like some dweeb from the 50's, but I'll sacrifice style to protect effectiveness any day. When you can see well, you're more aware of your surroundings, and when your glasses fit well, they're less prone to falling off or being knocked off.
I will also wear a neck strap if necessary (haven't had the need outside of strenuous physical activities), so that's something to consider as well. Looks goofy, but life is more important than looks.
Most of all, I check my six and evaluate my surroundings continuously so I have time to think and react if I end up in a dangerous sitution. I don't have 'Principles of Personal Defense' in front of me, but Cooper referenced a quote that went something like this: "A [battlefield] commander may be forgiven for being defeated, but never for being surprised."
Remember that surprise is principle seven--make sure it stays with you and not the bad guy.
this is a tough one
I have contacts and am severely nearsighted w/out them. Have glasses for the evening. I've been contemplating the corrective surgery (my wife had it and loves it and cannot figure out why I have not done it yet) or trying the 24 hour contacts. I do have extra pairs of last prescription glasses in my vehicles and my bag when I go to work.
The only thing that comes to mind was, I think, the FBI Miami gunfight where the best shot lost his glasses in the auto collision that was the prelude to the gunfight.
Losing glasses during a SD situation scares me. I'd like to get the surgery today, but am waiting for hopefully better technology.
I have contacts and am severely nearsighted w/out them. Have glasses for the evening. I've been contemplating the corrective surgery (my wife had it and loves it and cannot figure out why I have not done it yet) or trying the 24 hour contacts. I do have extra pairs of last prescription glasses in my vehicles and my bag when I go to work.
The only thing that comes to mind was, I think, the FBI Miami gunfight where the best shot lost his glasses in the auto collision that was the prelude to the gunfight.
Losing glasses during a SD situation scares me. I'd like to get the surgery today, but am waiting for hopefully better technology.
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