I wonder the same thing, one of these days it might apply to me.
I don't know a shooter with multifocals in person, although you can read about them here and there.
I know a nonshooter with a mono in one eye and a multi in the other, I wonder how that is working out for her.
I know a shooter who went monovision with a distance mono in the left eye and an intermediate (gunsight) mono in the right eye. I would not chance that although that is what I have done with shooting glasses for some time. But I can take them off when I leave the range.

 

I have a friend who did the multi and he has had some issues because his vision either changed or something else they are looking at other possibilities. His comment was he wishes he had gone with the Mono… try to get as much info as possible from good sources.

 

When I had cataract surgery the ophthalmologist put in monofocal lenses. He said that beyond the difference in expense multifocal was generally used for younger people who develop cataracts.

The only issue I have with monofocal is having to use reading glasses now. I found when shooting I have real trouble focusing on the front sight...and my shooting degraded. I tried simply using my reading glasses when shooting and the front sight sharpened right up.

 

When I had cataract surgery the ophthalmologist put in monofocal lenses. He said that beyond the difference in expense multifocal was generally used for younger people who develop cataracts.

The only issue I have with monofocal is having to use reading glasses now. I found when shooting I have real trouble focusing on the front sight...and my shooting degraded. I tried simply using my reading glasses when shooting and the front sight sharpened right up.

What does that do to your distance vision for target work? Do you just look above the readers to transition? How hard is that?

 

I had cataract surgery in both eyes two years ago. At the consult I told the physician that shooting was extremely important to me. I also had severe astigmatism my whole life. We measured the distance from my eyes to the front sight and he did some calculations. Recommended a Torex (?spelling) lens which would give me good vision and correct astigmatism. He took a lot of time with me to figure out my best course of action. New lenses resulted in 20/20 vision with no astigmatism. Front sight is sharp as a tack with my dominant eye and slightly out of focus with the non-dominant.

Find an ophthalmologist whom listens to you and make shooting ability a part of the pre-surgical consultation. I'm very happy with the way mine came out and yes I do utilize readers now.

 

At the consult I told the physician that shooting was extremely important to me. I also had severe astigmatism my whole life.Recommended a Torex (?spelling) lens which would give me good vision and correct astigmatism.

I believe it is Toric. I had really severe astigmatism. The doctor told me going in that the new lenses alone may not be able to fully correct it. Results were better than expected, but some astigmatism remains in my dominate eye. New glasses made that are progressives - readers down low and astigmatism correction in the balance of the lens. Nice to be able to actually see the sights again.

Just a note to those considering having this surgery - Medicare only covers monofocal lenses. For Toric or multi-focal you will have out of pocket expense.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

I have had cataracts removed from both eyes, with mono lenses in each eye. I have standard bi-focal glasses for everything, with the reading lens as low as it can go. This gives me a good clear view of the rear sight through the reader and a great picture of the target through the rest. I was doing this before cataract surgery.

I can pass the vision test without glasses. My computer screen vision is crystal clear. I need to squint to read without glasses and with the low reader portion, I can read clearly on the iPhone and it doesn’t get in the way of my distance vision. A low reader also lets me be physically active without the reader lens getting in my way.

Every time I get new glasses, I reevaluate the reader lens position by putting my hands in a shooting position while the optometrist is fitting me for glasses. None of my doctors have been shooters and yet assisting me in my special requirements has never been a problem for them.

Good luck! I hope your vision improves as much as mine has.

Cheers,
Tim

 

I have had cataracts removed from both eyes, with mono lenses in each eye. I have standard bi-focal glasses for everything, with the reading lens as low as it can go. This gives me a good clear view of the rear sight through the reader and a great picture of the target through the rest. I was doing this before cataract surgery.

I can pass the vision test without glasses. My computer screen vision is crystal clear. I need to squint to read without glasses and with the low reader portion, I can read clearly on the iPhone and it doesn’t get in the way of my distance vision. A low reader also lets me be physically active without the reader lens getting in my way.

Every time I get new glasses, I reevaluate the reader lens position by putting my hands in a shooting position while the optometrist is fitting me for glasses. None of my doctors have been shooters and yet assisting me in my special requirements has never been a problem for them.

Good luck! I hope your vision improves as much as mine has.

Cheers,
Tim

I'm looking at cataract surgery in the not-so-distant future (it's developing slowly).

My plan is to get monofocal lenses for distant vision, and wear glasses for close work, but with the reader-correction on top for shooting to avoid the Prussian Officer "Die, scum!" shooting postion:

(Apologies to Massad Ayoob.)

I fear that multi-focal replacement lenses would be too difficult to get used to.

Alternatively, there's using a laser or RDS!

Good luck!

 

I had mine done a couple years ago with mono's. I have 20/20 in each eye with a little astigmatism in one. I can usually read without readers except for very small print or very dim light. Been shooting mostly dots lately, but I have no problem with front sight focus.

Couple things I looked at. At the time, Medicare only paid for mono's. Don't know about now. The Toric's (spelling??) are expensive out of pocket and your astigmatism may continue to change after the surgery. It's not a perfect science. Depending on your eyes, you may still need some type of far correction glasses even with the replacement lens. Mono's are the "safe" bet. My 2 cents anyway.

 

Hello All
70 yo guy here and avid handgun shooter of all types, pistols and revolvers.

I’ve developed a rather significant cataract in my dominant (right) eye and am looking at cataract surgery. I know there are basically two different replacement lens options. The first is monofocal lenses which provide clear vision at a certain distance (either near or far you choose). The second type is multifocal lenses which aim to provide clear vision at multiple distances but which are not always well tolerated.

I’m leaning toward the monofocal lense option but I was wondering if anyone has had experience with either option and what your experience has been. I mainly shoot open sights but also have two pistols set up with red dot sights. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Gene

Good luck. The advances in ophthalmology these days should give you good vision... I hope because I'll probably need surgery at some point in the near future. My vision is deteriorating fast... I developed floaters and my presbyopia has gotten really bad.

 

A timely thread as I'm having my eyes done at the end of May/early June. Keep the feedback coming please, and thank you.

 

I’m getting cataract surgery probably end of 2025 or early 2026. Hopefully this thread will give me something to discuss with my surgeon about.

 

If he won't take into consideration your shooting needs, don't settle. Find one who will.

 

Hello All
70 yo guy here and avid handgun shooter of all types, pistols and revolvers.

I’ve developed a rather significant cataract in my dominant (right) eye and am looking at cataract surgery. I know there are basically two different replacement lens options. The first is monofocal lenses which provide clear vision at a certain distance (either near or far you choose). The second type is multifocal lenses which aim to provide clear vision at multiple distances but which are not always well tolerated.

I’m leaning toward the monofocal lense option but I was wondering if anyone has had experience with either option and what your experience has been. I mainly shoot open sights but also have two pistols set up with red dot sights. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Gene

I got the one good for arms length to infinity, 3$K per eye, (inter ocular protesis, Clareon, vivity) so far so good. I'd do it again, only sooner. I shoot every thing that shoots and now I don't need glasses to do it. First time in my life I've not worn glasses to shoot.

 

I went with single focus lenses. I use simple store bought reading glasses. For handguns the sights are a bit fuzzy but only a problem if you wanted super accuracy. But for self defense all the rounds are still nice groups in the black. But red dots work great no matter though. Same for scopes.

with rifles the rear sight is fuzzy but red dots and scopes are not a problem.

 

There will come a time when all of us won't be able to do the things we love to do. As I age I notice stiffness/pain in my joints of my fingers in the morning. Once I open and close a fist a few times the stiffness/pain goes away. One day the stiffness/pain won't and holding a rifle or handgun could be too difficult.

Cataracts is another milestone in our life. My doc says I'll need surgery to remove them within 8 years. She says its not a big deal and its routine. If for some reason my vision doesn't return to 20/20 corrected I guess I'll give up driving, guns and lots of other things.

 

Hello All
70 yo guy here and avid handgun shooter of all types, pistols and revolvers.

I’ve developed a rather significant cataract in my dominant (right) eye and am looking at cataract surgery. I know there are basically two different replacement lens options. The first is monofocal lenses which provide clear vision at a certain distance (either near or far you choose). The second type is multifocal lenses which aim to provide clear vision at multiple distances but which are not always well tolerated.

I’m leaning toward the monofocal lense option but I was wondering if anyone has had experience with either option and what your experience has been. I mainly shoot open sights but also have two pistols set up with red dot sights. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Gene

Two months ago I had my 2nd multifocal installed. My Right eye required a small aperture lense. The vision is excellent no readers nothing. My night vision is excellent. I am 70 as well.

 

I forgot to mention earlier that I found it incredibly refreshing to go to the DMV to renew my DL and not needing to use glasses to pass their eye test. I had worn glasses ever since I was 16yoa. It just felt so good to not need glasses to drive. A very liberating feeling.

anyway I am thinking about trying some low magnification reading glasses with pistol iron sights to see how that works. Things like 1.0, 1.25, 1.5 magnification reading glasses. I don’t know why I never thought of it before.

until I had cataract surgery I had no idea how bad my eyes had gotten. I had thought I just needed stronger glasses instead. It was a world of difference.

 

...
until I had cataract surgery I had no idea how bad my eyes had gotten. I had thought I just needed stronger glasses instead. It was a world of difference.

Afterwards, the thing I notice was how bright all the colors were. I kept thinking the ceilings at home were dingy and needed painting. The ceiling color was fine. The cataracts were just adding a brownish tint.

 

I need to make an appointment for a surgery consultation. I was diagnosed with cataracts two years ago, and over the past couple of months it's gotten progressively worse. Unlike most of you who stayed awake for the procedure, I'm going to insist on being out cold, or given something that makes me so out of it, I won't care. I tend to go a bit bananas when docs start tinkering around the eyes. It's a phobia thing and I know I'll freak when they start the surgery.

 

You won't care what they do once they give you the drugs. I am the same as you. I can't stand it with anyone doing anything to my eyes. You won't be completely out but close and the Dr's messing with your eyes won't bother you in the least. The thing that might bother you is getting drops in your eyes multiple times a day for the next month. But even with that you will get more used to it the more you do it. It is critically important to use the drops as prescribed.

 

You have relaxation drugs administered prior to the surgery. You are awake, but docile. Talk with your physician and let him or her know of your anxieties. They will adjust meds as necessary.

 

You are awake, but docile.

Uh huh. They've tried that before. They discovered I wasn't so docile.

 

Good info. My ophthalmologist told me a year or so ago that I was getting cataracts and to just let him know when I wanted to take care of them. I’m 68 and have noticed the oncoming headlights beginning to star up a bit at night, so I’m thinking it’s about time. Something I’ve noticed lately, is when I go to shoot my M1 Garand or 1903 Springfield, there appears to be a ghost-image line across my peep sight. Left to right the line runs from about 8:30 to 2:30. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

Go out at night and look at the stars. When you can't see the big dipper, its time.

 

I'm looking at cataract surgery someday but its not really a problem yet. I don't wear glasses except for reading/close work. Over the years my vision has gone from near-sighted to far-sighted, so for me the 'focus on the front sight' is impossible but I have learned to shoot just fine with fuzzy sights and a clear target. I shoot the long guns with no corrective lenses and I use dot sights. If the dot is too fuzzy I turn down the brightness. BTW, I just turned 80 and I see fine for driving, including at night. I'm also still active in music so if I start having trouble driving at night, I'll get the cataract surgery. If and when I do, I will go mono lenses which should give me the distance vision I have now and I'll just keep on going to the Dollar Store for reading glasses.

 

One thing I forgot to mention. Maybe 25% of people get scar tissue that starts to cover the front of the replacement lens. Your replacement cataract lens sort gets a scar tissue cataract. Happens a year or two after the initial surgery. Mine happened right at a year. They burn the scar tissue off using a YAG laser. An in office procedure. If you have the scar tissue problem and don't have it burnt off, it can effect your vision.

 

I have had cataract surgery in both eyes. The doctor recommended lenses which costs around $1500 extra per eye ( had both eyes done). He said I would need reading glasses which I do. My front sight on a pistol is not clear, but a little fuzzy. It is not so fuzzy that I cannot use it. I find a fiber optic front sight helps a pretty good bit. I also use a Trjicon yellow dot front sight. The yellow dot is big and rather easy to see. I have not experimented with the XS sights, but they should prove viable also.
You may want to look into Holosun ( or other red green dot optics). Carry optics is the most popular category among the USPA shooters. I now have quite a few pistols with optics; and contrary to popular opinion I do not believe they are that hard to use. I have no problem using them. You simply focus on the target and not the front sight and lay the optic over your focus. I really like them and will not buy a pistol that does not have an optic cut on it. Most now do. It is also pretty easy to get an optic cut done to those pistols that are not cut for optics. I now have several hi cap 1911 style pistols with optic cuts.

 

Let me add - optics are very clear and easy to see and should be the same for you after cataract surgery. I can still get by with using my front sight and do so. In sunlight it is very clear for me.

 

Tru glo is the other sight I use ( forgot to mention them). Inside it is a little harder to see the front sight with it being a little fuzzy. Outside in the sunlight it is no problem - the font sight is almost perfectly clear. Sorry about the multiple posts; but i wanted to let you know you have alternatives and you will still be able to use your front sight without much of a problem. Good luck with your surgery.

 

TY to the OP and all who commented.

This Tues I’ll be examined to determine if my cataracts require removable - and as a result of this post have a much better idea as to what to discuss with my Doc.

The price will be secondary to me being able to sight-in properly shoot accurately will be the major goal.

 

Just do it. I did. Toric distance lenses. I threw away my driving glasses. But I still need readers. Thats OK with me. Night driving is 100% better.

 

Hello All
70 yo guy here and avid handgun shooter of all types, pistols and revolvers.

I’ve developed a rather significant cataract in my dominant (right) eye and am looking at cataract surgery. I know there are basically two different replacement lens options. The first is monofocal lenses which provide clear vision at a certain distance (either near or far you choose). The second type is multifocal lenses which aim to provide clear vision at multiple distances but which are not always well tolerated.

I’m leaning toward the monofocal lense option but I was wondering if anyone has had experience with either option and what your experience has been. I mainly shoot open sights but also have two pistols set up with red dot sights. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Gene

I'm 72 and had the cataract and corrective surgery done 5 yrs ago and couldn't believe how well it help. But the len i pick was for distinct seeing. So I only need glasses is for reading.