Astigmatism?

pilot25 · Aug 10, 2017

I apparently have astigmatism and just learned it distorts the image of red dot sights.

I put a Trijicon MRO Patrol on my "AR" and the dot looks fine. Then I put on a Vortex VMX-3T magnifier and the dot looks like a banana. After some research I found out, "its not you its me."

I don't want a scope because I don't hunt and want it for home defense but like to, somewhat see, the targets at 100+ yards. Thought the magnifier would be a great idea. So is my only option an ACOG? If so, do you guys sell your accessories on eBay or somewhere else?

What a freaking bummer, I just bought both the dot and magnifier.

MacGuns · Aug 10, 2017

Red dots for me look more like a comma, but I can see how it could also look like a banana. You may want to give it some more time to see if you can get used to it. For short range work, just put the comma or :bannana:

on the bad guys chest and fire away. For longer range stuff I know that the top of my comma is my aim point.

Alea Jacta Est · Aug 10, 2017

LASIK

AACo · Aug 10, 2017

MacMoov said:
Red dots for me look more like a comma, but I can see how it could also look like a banana. You may want to give it some more time to see if you can get used to it. For short range work, just put the comma or on the bad guys chest and fire away. For longer range stuff I know that the top of my comma is my aim point.

I too have astigmatism (both eyes) and red dots have never appeared as a dot. Wearing my glasses helps a bit, but I often see a comma or star instead of a dot. You get used to it, I just don't plan on precision shooting with a red dot. Mostly used for steel or plinking.

I find that 3moa or less looks better. I tend to stick with iron sights or scope.

DraKhen99 · Aug 10, 2017

Wow, this thread is timely! I too have an astigmatism in both eyes, although it's not that bad. I can't remember the last time I looked through a red dot, but I am planning to go look at some tonight, so I'll pay attention to this.

:thumbsup:

-John

pilot25 · Aug 10, 2017

DraKhen99 said:
Wow, this thread is timely! I too have an astigmatism in both eyes, although it's not that bad. I can't remember the last time I looked through a red dot, but I am planning to go look at some tonight, so I'll pay attention to this.

-John

I've learned every astigmatism is different and some sights are better than others at keeping the dot a dot. The MRO for me looks fine but when magnified it is terrible. You may want to magnify the ones you look at tonight.

Good luck.

Anyone interested in a 40 day old MRO Patrol?

Alea Jacta Est · Aug 10, 2017

Nnztg8r said:
LASIK

I don't say this lightly.

I had horrible astigmatism.

I elected LASIK at 56 y/o.

It has enabled me to be a much better shooter...irons, scope and best of all, red dots.

If you can afford it, consider it.

DC-W · Aug 10, 2017

I'm in the same club.

motorcoachdoug · Aug 11, 2017

I can say The Wilmer Eye Institute at John Hopkins is outstanding. I have I have BCBS Blue Vision and they helped for lenses inserted in my eyes to correct both of my eyes. They also have a program where if you can not pay for the lens and you qualifie they have a program that will pay for the lenses they put into your eyes. Both my eyes were so bad and i was very near sighted on top of that as well. Now i have 20/20 vision in both eyes....

John from MD · Aug 11, 2017

I have had astigmatism for many years now. To me, the red dot loots like a Hyphen. My ophthalmologist explained it has to do with the shape of my eyeball. Because the red dot is sort of long, I had to decided which is the real projected dot and which was the extension. My doctor explained it to me and now I use the upper right part of the dot as that is the real dot reflection. By learning how my eyes see, I was able to train my self to use the red dot effectively.

Not all red dot projections are the same and it isn't price related. Some give a rounder dot at lower power including the Bushnell TRS25. I have four of these because they work so well for me. I have had the top of the line Aimpoints and sold them because they just didn't work.

Hope things work out for you.

jimbobborg · Aug 11, 2017

It really helps if you don't crank up the light intensity.

d33rhunt3r · Aug 11, 2017

The Vortex Spitfire Prism scope might be something to look into. My grandfather has astigmatism. I had him try out mine and he had zero issues with blur or strange shaped dots.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-spitfire-ar-1x-prism-scope

Nottherealfranco · Aug 11, 2017

I use a prism optic due to having the same problem.

DraKhen99 · Aug 11, 2017

pilot25 said:
I've learned every astigmatism is different and some sights are better than others at keeping the dot a dot. The MRO for me looks fine but when magnified it is terrible. You may want to magnify the ones you look at tonight.

Good luck.

Anyone interested in a 40 day old MRO Patrol?

Thanks! I ended up getting a Sightmark red dot. It's got 4 different red dot options, and they all looked fine to me. I won't be magnifying it, so it's all good :thumbsup:

-John

GolfR · Aug 11, 2017

d33rhunt3r said:
The Vortex Spitfire Prism scope might be something to look into. My grandfather has astigmatism. I had him try out mine and he had zero issues with blur or strange shaped dots.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-spitfire-ar-1x-prism-scope

Same problem and much prefer the prism scopes. I have two of the AR Spitfires. They are a little bigger than a red dot but I think they have better optics and have an etched redicle which is very clear. The other advantage is that they can be turned to red or green. You can also just use the regular black redicle which is often much better in bright lighting situations.

Keystone70 · Aug 11, 2017

DraKhen99 said:
Thanks! I ended up getting a Sightmark red dot. It's got 4 different red dot options, and they all looked fine to me. I won't be magnifying it, so it's all good

-John

I agree. I have astigmatism and am left eye dominate. I bought the sightmark sight a couple years ago when Cabelas had a fantastic deal $40. I have no problem with the red dot and can shoot with both eyes open. Not bad for $40. Regular price is $99.

babalou · Aug 11, 2017

That video was eye opening. Sorry for the pun. The guy talked about exactly my issue. I do not see commas or the like. the red dots for me look like little balls of string with frayed edges. Now I know. Good video DC-W. Thanks for sharing.

pilot25 · Aug 11, 2017

Today I put in my contacts and looked through the MRO with polarized sunglasses and it helped me a lot. Using the magnifier I still see a tiny banana but it is much improved. Now I just need to find polarized lenses for shooting glasses. Thankfully lenses are at least $900 cheaper than getting an ACOG.

woodline · Aug 13, 2017

d33rhunt3r said:
The Vortex Spitfire Prism scope might be something to look into. My grandfather has astigmatism. I had him try out mine and he had zero issues with blur or strange shaped dots.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-spitfire-ar-1x-prism-scope

Unfortunately in the past 2-3 years my astigmatism has gotten to the point where red dots aren't very usable. I usually see a huge scattered sunburst. So I use the Vortex Spitfire AR, and I love it. So far it has been pretty durable. I may get one of the new Trijicon ACOG 1.5xs with the ACSS reticle for a life and liberty type gun, but I really have no interest in putting a $1000 optic on every single firearm I want red dot capability on. Especially not when the Vortex SPARC AR has worked so well for me. Plenty happy with iron sights too.

campns · Aug 14, 2017

Now I don't feel so damn bad I just thought it was me, for me I have put a low mag scope on my HD guns or just iron sights. I have thought about trying others but I have a bad astigmatism -5.75 right eye so you all may have saved me a lot of money.

Astigmatism?

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