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Shooting Glasses for Aging Eyes + How to Choose the Correct Magnification

by Ali Juten on Nov 04, 2019

Shooting Glasses for Aging Eyes + How to Choose the Correct Magnification

Can't See your Front Sights? We have a solution. SSP Eyewear Top Focal Shooting Glasses.

Originally, our Top Focal Lenses were designed for Law Enforcement pistol instructors. They allow the instructor who wears reading glasses to tilt their head down in the standard Weaver, or Isosceles stance and pick up their front sights on his or her pistol. No more blurry front sights!

How to Choose the Correct Top Focal® Magnification

The first thing to note is that the magnification that you use for reading may not be the same for shooting. The reason for this is because, when you shoot, you hold your firearm out at arms length. Now think about how you would typically read a book...you hold it much closer. An arms length, when it comes readers, makes all the difference. 

  1. Go to your local drug store and locate their reading glasses section. Bring a pencil along for testing purposes. 
  2. If you already know what your reading glass magnification is, try on a pair of reading glasses at a magnification that is slightly weaker than your reading glasses.
  3. Now, hold your pencil out at arms length. With the glasses on, focus on the tip of the pencil like you would your sights. If the tip of the pencil is clear, this would be the correct magnification. If it is not clear, try different strengths until you can see the tip of the pencil clearly.

BONUS TIP: Ways to customize your Top Focal® glasses to improve accuracy

  • Using the Top Focal Assorted Kit, wear both right and left Top Focal® lenses. This will make your sights clear but target softly blurred. 
  • Using the Top Focal Premiere Kit, wear a Top Focal® lens on your dominant eye and a Chelan lens (no magnification) on your non-dominant eye. This will make the sights clear and the target unobstructed with both eyes open.
  • Using the Top Focal Ultra Kit, wear a Top Focal® lens on your dominant eye and a Denial lens (bottom bifocal) on your non-dominant eye. This will make the sights clear, the target clear, and reading clear when using both eyes
The SSP Top Focals are offered in: 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, 2.50 & 3.00 magnification. So, whether you are shooting recreationally or relying on a firearm for your everyday job, the Top Focal® shooting glasses from SSP Eyewear can improve your accuracy by providing a clear sight picture.

20 comments

  • Dr. Wes Molenaar
    Oct 15, 2020 at 13:10

    Good video but you may want to caution your audience that if they have astigmatism of 1.00 diopter or more, a visit to their optometrist might be a good idea for maximum sharp front sight prescription, which would not be the same as a drugstore reader diopter number.

    Reply

  • Chuck Rundle
    Oct 15, 2020 at 13:10

    How about if I need different prescriptions for near and far vision?
    I wear reading glasses sometimes for tight vision and typical old guy glasses for long distances past about 25 yards.
    Have any combos for me?
    Chuck

    Reply

  • JAMEY ALTMAN
    Oct 15, 2020 at 13:10

    I do not currently wear glasses but at 43 my eyes are not what they use to be. I am an avid shooter and also run a repair shop for agricultural equipment. How do I know which lenses to choose? Safety glasses seem to be something I am reluctant to put on when I am doing precision work due to the inability to see clearly.

    Reply

  • John Donovan
    Oct 15, 2020 at 13:10

    I’m right eye dominant and my right eye focuses well at a distance and left eye focuses well close up. Can you do different magnifications? I’ve used my computer glasses which focus both eyes at the same distance as my front sights and it helps quite a lot so I know I need shooting glasses that can do this. Suggestions?

    Reply

  • Audie
    Oct 15, 2020 at 13:09

    JI just wanted a clarification here. Is this designed for farsighted only.

    Thank you.

    Reply

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