When I was a kid, I loved to watch cowboy movies on TV. A time-honored gimmick in some of them was to have an interjection: “Meanwhile, back at the ranch,” and the scene would shift to the ranch, where something important was going on.
Well, I have a “meanwhile back at the ranch story for you.” This one comes from El Rancho Elliott, where yours truly tests airguns in upstate New York. About a year ago, I noticed that I was having trouble focusing on thing with my right eye, and that a kind of halo would appear around bright lights.
I went to the eye doctor, who said that I was developing a cataract in my right eye. The cataract was changing the optical characteristics of the lens in my right eye, which was making it difficult to focus. I got a new eyeglass prescription for the right eye, and that improved focusing, but I was still having problems with halos around lights.
Over time, the problem got worse. I could still shoot well if I was using a telescopic sight, but after a while, my general vision in my right eye was like walking around with a piece of waxed paper over my right eyeglass lens. Finally, I decided I just had to do something.
About two weeks ago, I had a cataract operation on my right eye. The doctor made a 3mm incision in my right eye, inserted an ultrasonic probe into the lens capsule, broke up the right lens, and then sucked out the remains of the lens through the probe. Next, a folded plastic lens was inserted and allowed to unfold. Before the operation, I could barely read the second line on the eye chart. Now my vision corrects to 20/25, and the doctor expects even more improvement may be possible.
Just minutes ago, I came in from testing two airguns, and what a pleasure it was to shoot with good vision in both eyes! I was even able to shoot an air rifle with globe front sight and peep rear sight, something I hadn’t been able to do for some time. I am deeply grateful for the improvement in my sight. It’s simply glorious.
All this points out that sight itself is a gift, and that the smart move for you – and me – as airgun shooters is to protect that gift. That means that whenever you shoot, you and everyone else on the shooting line should wear protective eye wear. I normally wear polycarbonate lens eye glasses to correct my vision.
If you don’t wear something similar to protect your vision, let me humbly suggest that you try these shooting glasses. In fact, pick up a few pairs so that you have enough to protect the folks on the firing line. The cost is miniscule, particularly when compared to the cost and hassle of an eye injury.
Finally, to further protect your sight, take care in your selection of targets. Remember that BBs tend to ricochet when shot against hard targets. A soft backstop works best with BBs. On the other hand, shooting resilient spherical targets with a high-powered pellet gun tends to result in the pellet coming straight back at the shooter. My favorite backstop for pellets is a pellet trap that is filled with Ductseal. The pellets bury themselves in the Ductseal and stay there. So take a tip from Uncle Jock, who just had a reminder about the importance of eyesight, and protect your eyeballs when you shoot.
Til next time, aim true and shoot straight.
– Jock Elliott
Happy late Easter to you Jock, I am going through same sort of problem with the eye’s as you. As a kid I had 20/10 vision in both eye’s, thought I would have it forever. Oh well as they say getting old is !@#$. Not really.
Love your blog.
Jim,
Thanks for the kind words. A couple of weeks into the mission after the cataract surgery, I am very pleased with the results. I hope you have similar good results with your vision.
And please wear hearing protection as well.
This past weekend we went to the range (a 45 minute drive) for a mornings shooting (rimfires).
We got there and I found that though I had packed the glasses for all…I had forgot my hearing protectors…though we had packed my sons.
I figured ‘what the heck’…they’re only rimfires.
Course mine is a .22WMR…louder than the boys .22LR…but still rimfires, right?
Well 30 rounds later my ears were ringing.
And two days later they’re still ringing and I’ve definitely noticed a loss of low end response.
Hopefully it isn’t permanent.
`Hello Jock. This is a coincidence. For the past year, I have been shooting at objects through wax paper with my right eye too. I just chalked it up to old age. And besides, I have been learning to shoot rifle and pistol with my left eye. Your blog gave me the initiative to make an appointment with the optometrist to see if laser optic surgery would benefit me also. I’m not saying I have the exact same problem, however it would be great to see clearly through both eyes again. Thanks for writing this blog.
John V,
First, thanks for the kind words. Second, I’m not a doctor (and I don’t play one on TV), but I wouldn’t be astonished to find out you have a cataract. Please update me when you can.
Hello Jack. It has been a couple of months , and I finally got in to see an optometrist. Apparently, I do not have a cataract. I have a small cyst in the rear of my pupil. The Dr. said they are common with boxers and anyone else that receives a blow to the eye. Just doesn’t fit my profile. Not a clue how it happened. I guess I’m just weird that way. Lol. Fortunately it can most likely be drained by an opthemologist. I have an appointment to see a good one soon. Hoping for the best, and will fill you in when things happen. Shoot straight.
Caio—John
John,
Thanks for updating me.
I am experiencing macular degeneration, mostly in my left eye. This is very frustrating because, being left handed, I of course use my left eye to aim. However, my right eye is still very good, and the blog from John V. (4.15.12) has given me the idea of switching to my right eye. And, being very conservative anyway, switching over to the right shouldn’t be a problem.
Thanks, for your idea.
Michael M.