Cateracts and seeing the target

[Gort]

Visual phenomenon observations for shooters with incipient to mild cataracts. I have “mild” cataracts, too soon to operate. The last six months have been getting more difficult to see the center of the field of view. The bullseye is being obliterated by what I can only describe as a little wad of steel wool. At first, I thought that the problem was foreign debris in the rear aperture. I was using the factory 1.1mm (.043) rear aperture, it was clean. After experimenting with different apertures and distances from the eye, I found that a 1.5mm aperture made all the difference. The image cleared up.
I have come to believe that the small aperture allowed me to see the back side of my cataracts silhouetted against the brightly lit target. I think that the linear light moving through the small aperture allows the retina to focus on the interior side of the cataracts. This is what was creating the “little wad of steel wool” obliterating the target. Anyone else experiencing this problem?
Gort

[Martin H]

Hi Gort
I had the same experience with floaters. I had moderate to bad floaters in my right eye for many years and I found using 1.4 - 1.5 mm rear iris gave a reasonable sight picture.
My theory is that with a std 1.1mm rear iris, you look through any eye imperfections and all the aberrations that go with it. With a larger aperture you reduce the effect of the aberrations so the image looks relatively normal. You also get increased light which helps as the cataract/floaters will impede the brightness of the image.
One of our better shooters shot very well for many years looking "around" his cataract by positioning his eye at 4 o'clock in the rear iris. Somehow he was able to achieve an acceptable sight picture by doing this.
Cheers Martin

[OdieRedmond]

Guess you shoot rifle? I’ve been through this and tried everything to include post front sight to see more black with Navy Hold/center of mass , 6 O’clock Line of white, etc., etc., etc. You may find some relief in low light conditions, some days, but it will be short lived depending on your cataracts progress. If you have the FAST progressing cataracts then be careful not to lose your eyesight. Otherwise, it’s a slow degradation of the ability to see well enough to shoot metallic sights. As your cataracts worsen, the sun will cause you to see all sorts of shapes to include the bull disappearing about the time you squeeze the trigger. Eventually, I had to shoot “scope only,” until surgery. In retrospect, I’d been better off not to fight it and shot “scope only,” much sooner. You probably already know that cataracts both scatter and block light as it passes through the lens. It’s only going to worsen, and it’s a waste of time and ammo to fight it, and I’m just being realistic. You asked. Clamp on the scope.

[40xguy]

When you have cataract surgery, be sure to get a good lens and the proper lens. I'd recommend the "distance" lens. I have a friend who had some kind of "new type lens" put in and he now greatly regrets his decision. Hopefully he'll read this thread and comment.!! Additionally, FYI, the replacement lenses will often get a "coating" on them after a time. You'll need to have this removed by a very simple laser procedure.

[OdieRedmond]

Just know that a distance eye exam inside a room may or may not correlate with your sight picture/distances. Discuss with your Ophthalmologist and provide detailed information.

[colinlp]

I had them, much the same symptoms, a dark woolly directly over the target and opening the iris allowed a little more vision but without the same level of focus. Opening the iris allows diffuse light from different points on the target to reach your eye around the cataract whereas the small aperture sends the light from the target directly through the cataract.

Surgery is the only fix I'm aware of. Ultimately I had to shift my aim to place the bottom edge of the foresight element directly on the bottom of the iris aperture and look dead centre but use peripheral vision for sighting. Far from ideal but it kept me shooting for a little while longer until it became impossible. I had a long wait for surgery because of the pandemic but I eventually had it done and things have been much better. Since then I've had issues with my eye changing shape slowly, I'm off next week to see a specialist shooting Ophthalmologist who has been recommended to me.

Get the surgery done, there is light at the end of the tunnel, or should that be rifle?

[m1963]

My aiming has struggled for some time. I did see the ophthalmologist last week and found that my cataracts are also mild...too soon to operate. They recommended an iris for my pistol shooting glasses. While it is too soon to be sure this is "the fix," it does seem to help. I do still need to adjust my head to find the clearest spot in my vision, though. Perhaps an adjustable iris for rifle sights?

[PeeWeeDaddy]

I am 78.
I had both eyes worked on four years ago by a colonel in the Air Force.
(I am retired.)
He was just back from the desert.
He asked me what type of lenses did I want?
I told him my killing partner in Kansas chose both near and far (and has to wear corrective lenses all the time but, as all my hobbies involve some type of shooting;
Silhouette,
10M,
Field Target,
Large/small game hunting…
I think I just need distant vision.
“You are correct”
Now I need no glasses (except mandated safety glasses) and readers for…reading.
Too, I no longer need glasses to drive…
I wish to thank all of the taxpayers (me included) for my exceptional sight..🫡

[Mike M.]

Cataracts tend to form at the center of the lens, but not precisely so. Sometimes, you can see around it - especially if you can put a filter on the glasses that will open up the iris and let light go through the portions of the lens that are not occluded. I wound up shooting a MLAIC World Championship score on a horribly overcast day...but my eye opened up and I could see the sights!

Advice on the surgery: Right now, I'd advise a monofocal lens. Plus LASIK to fine-tune things. There are multifocal lenses out there, but you lose some visual acuity. The real answer is an accomodative lens that would adjust like the natural thing, but that's still in the experimental stage. Hopefully, you can hold out for them to reach the market.