# Near Sighted Marksman - should I invest in prescription safety glasses?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-sighted-marksman-should-i-invest-in-prescription-safety-glasses/640096
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 6, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-sighted-marksman-should-i-invest-in-prescription-safety-glasses/640096 "2012-11-06T16:09:02Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-sighted-marksman-should-i-invest-in-prescription-safety-glasses/640096/1 "2012-11-06T16:09:02Z")
I’ll let you in on a secret. Wearing [shooting glasses](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TWWT5A/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00) over regular glasses doesn’t work. First it wrecks your vision with double lenses. Plus it hurts like hell after about ten minutes of shooting. Your normal glasses are smashed into your face and behind your ears.
I’ve been shooting without my prescription glasses. I’m near sighted and the target is fuzzy. But, my sight picture is at the end of my pistol and thats what I’m focusing on. I try to ignore the fuzzy black dot downrange. 😛
Do I need to blow $150 on prescription safety glasses? Can near sighted marksman get away on with focusing on the sight picture? I only shoot pistols now and that means the sight is only 2 ft in front of my face. Its all about building the castle. 😉
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### Author:  [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-sighted-marksman-should-i-invest-in-prescription-safety-glasses/640096/2 "2012-11-06T16:14:33Z")
You can get Rx goggles alot cheaper someplace like Zennioptical
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>
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-sighted-marksman-should-i-invest-in-prescription-safety-glasses/640096/3 "2012-11-06T17:23:19Z")
Just to clarify a bit.
I’m near sighted and the target down range is fuzzy. Sight picture close to my face is sharp.
I’m guessing a far sighted person sees the target sharp? But his sight picture is fuzzy?
Which effects shooting the most?
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### Author:  [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-sighted-marksman-should-i-invest-in-prescription-safety-glasses/640096/4 "2012-11-06T18:16:57Z")
I used to need safety glasses for work, and so I always paid the extra to get my prescription glasses to safety glasses specs, because the ones that fit over regular glasses sucked. They only cost me about 50% more than regular. I don’t know how much actual prescription goggles would cost, but safety glasses (with removable side-shields, for everyday wear) would probably meet your needs.
ETA: I can’t comment on shooting without prescription lenses. I never could see shit well enough to do it.
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### Author:  [@Thalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thalion)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-sighted-marksman-should-i-invest-in-prescription-safety-glasses/640096/5 "2012-11-06T19:20:55Z")
My training has always been to ignore the target (well, you’re aware of it, of course) and focus entirely on the front sight. Your eye will still pick up the target enough, but the important part is the sights.
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### Author:  [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2012, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-sighted-marksman-should-i-invest-in-prescription-safety-glasses/640096/6 "2012-11-06T20:50:14Z")
Switch to rifles, with peep sights. If your vision is good enough to get close with a pistol, the small orifice in a peep sight should be good enough to correct your vision sufficiently. It worked for me, way back when.
I disagree that one focuses on the front sight. One focuses on the target; essentially focusing at infinity. But that was a long time ago, and I may be misremembering.
I’ll never forget the sliver of daylight between the pumpkin and the fencepost, though (from before using peepsights).
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### Author:  [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)
#### Post date: [November 7, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-sighted-marksman-should-i-invest-in-prescription-safety-glasses/640096/7 "2012-11-07T00:12:01Z")
It’s been awhile since I’ve shot with glasses, but I don’t remember any problems. Perhaps get ones with thinner arms than the link? Any try them on.
I am a big fan of Zenni. But still I don’t know whether I’d buy from them for the purpose of shooting glasses. True, they are mainly for keeping smoke, debris, and brass away and not a ricochet. But for the “just in case” situations, I’d rather have something intended for shooting.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [November 7, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-sighted-marksman-should-i-invest-in-prescription-safety-glasses/640096/8 "2012-11-07T02:46:17Z")
I found a solution borrowed from the military. ESS sells a shooter glasses system that has an optional Rx insert. The insert clips onto the nose piece. This is the civilian version of what they sell to the military.
Still not cheap. About $110 plus whatever the optician charges for a basic Rx lens made to fit. I do see advantages. If the shooter lens gets scratched it can be easily swapped out. Reusing the Rx lens. The reviews look pretty good. Got to think about it some more.
glasses
> **[Amazon.com : ESS Eyewear Cross Series Crossbow 3LS Kit 740-0387,Black : Hunting...](https://www.amazon.com/ESS-Eyewear-Cross-Crossbow-740-0387/dp/B0042F3JCK)**
>
> When you try on the ESS Crossbow, you'll discover it's unlike any other ballistic eyeshield. Experience the Tri-Tech Fit frame that achieves an amazing universal fit with max comfort and zero pressure points. Then notice the lenses. They won't fog....
Rx Insert
[http://www.amazon.com/ESS-Eyewear-740-0308-Vice-Insert/dp/B001VKKH0Q/ref=sr\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352235881&sr=8-1&keywords=ESS+Rx](http://www.amazon.com/ESS-Eyewear-740-0308-Vice-Insert/dp/B001VKKH0Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352235881&sr=8-1&keywords=ESS+Rx)
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### Author:  [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)
#### Post date: [November 7, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-sighted-marksman-should-i-invest-in-prescription-safety-glasses/640096/9 "2012-11-07T16:51:05Z")
> [@Thalion](#):
>
> My training has always been to ignore the target (well, you’re aware of it, of course) and focus entirely on the front sight. Your eye will still pick up the target enough, but the important part is the sights.
It’s true that you should focus on the front sight \*just before \*the round goes off. But at the beginning of the trigger squeeze, your focus should shift between the target and front sight. In other words, as you start squeezing the trigger…
Focus on target
Focus on front sight & adjust alignment
Focus on target
Focus on front sight & adjust alignment
Focus on target
Focus on front sight & adjust alignment
Focus on front sight
Focus on front sight
BAM!
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### Author:  [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2012, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-sighted-marksman-should-i-invest-in-prescription-safety-glasses/640096/10 "2012-11-08T04:55:01Z")
Front sight focus will mean the target is fuzzy, no matter how good your eyesight is.
Why not use a good pair of prescription glasses?
When I worked as a lab tech, I was able to buy Rx eyeglasses that had removable side shields. They were safety glasses, and prescription.