I have a BIG problem. I’m bald and I’m old. And because of that my eyesight is getting worse and worse. It has gotten to the point when I shoot pistols with iron sights I cannot focus on the front sight. If I try wearing my my reading glasses, I can focus on the front sight, but not the rear or the target. Without my glasses I can focus on the rear sight but not the front nor the target. My accuracy with irons has been quite poor of late. Which is really frustrating.

I had tried bifocal glasses and found myself looking down my nose at the sights with the same problems. I found these shooting glasses from SSP Eyewaer. They have interchangeable bifocal lenses with the bifocal part at the top of the lense instead of the bottom. So I bought them directly from the manufacturer here:

https://sspeyewear.com/collections/top-focal-tactical

I bought the premier kit and got a $10 discount with free shipping. I tried them for the first time today and they took a little getting used to with the top focal piece. I prefer the yellow lenses and I tried both lenses for my right and left eyes. I am right eye dominant. I have to say I am very happy with the way I shot today with irons as I was able to keep my groups within 4”-5” single action and within 6”-7” double action revolver. I know this doesn’t sound exciting but it is the best I have shot with irons in a very long time.
I had stopped shooting my revolvers with iron sights as often and stuck with my guns with red dots just because I couldn’t focus on the front and rear sight any more.

With the focal lense at the top I was able to focus on the front and rear sights in order to line them up. Of course the red dot on the target was blurry but at least I was able to keep my sights lined up. It definitely helped me to shoot more like I used to back in the day. And I really enjoyed my shooting day today. Next time I will switch out my left lense from the top bifocal to a plain lense so I can keep both eyes open next time. I hope this will help me to further improve my accuracy.

The quality of the frames and the lenses appears to be very good. It will take a few tries to get used to them but they are comfortable and very clear. I highly recommend them if you are experiencing the same sort of issues focusing on iron sights.

Interesting item.

I may have need for this.

With the focal lense at the top I was able to focus on the front and rear sights in order to line them up.

Did you word that right? You were able to focus on the front sight and rear sight, at the same time?

I’ve been noticing changes in my vision recently. Eye doc said to expect changes starting maybe 3-4 years ago, so I guess I’ve been lucky. Not quite doing the reading glasses thing, but I’ve experimented with them and the do help, especially when reading stuff on my phone. I haven’t gone to the large text yet...

I’ve been thinking about the SSP since I watched a YT video saying that he shot using his “cheaters”. It’s only a problem with the iron sights on my custom AR upper (but not with scopes). Can’t remember what it was like in The Army at the qualification range using iron sights to shoot at the 500 yard silhouette. 

Did you word that right? You were able to focus on the front sight and rear sight, at the same time?

I’ve been noticing changes in my vision recently. Eye doc said to expect changes starting maybe 3-4 years ago, so I guess I’ve been lucky. Not quite doing the reading glasses thing, but I’ve experimented with them and the do help, especially when reading stuff on my phone. I haven’t gone to the large text yet...

Yes, I am able to focus on both front and rear sights. The best part is I am able to line them up confidently. So now I’m hoping with the non-bifocal left eye piece in place I might be able to see the target and sights better with both eyes open.

My cheaters (reading glasses) make it so I can see the rear sight with the front sight a little blurry and forget trying to make out the target. So with the new shooting glasses I got them in a weaker magnification so I can see both sights equally well. I need to use cheaters to read my phone. I am resisting using larger font. Stubborn I am.

I’ve been thinking about the SSP since I watched a YT video saying that he shot using his “cheaters”. It’s only a problem with the iron sights on my custom AR upper (but not with scopes). Can’t remember what it was like in The Army at the qualification range using iron sights to shoot at the 500 yard silhouette.

Not sure how they will work for you with a rifle since the sights/target are placed much differently. IE the rear sight on a rifle is usually much closer to your face than a pistol and the front sight is usually much farther away than a pistol. As well as the target being much farther away.

Me neither...

Yes, I am able to focus on both front and rear sights. The best part is I am able to line them up confidently. So now I’m hoping with the non-bifocal left eye piece in place I might be able to see the target and sights better with both eyes open.

My cheaters (reading glasses) make it so I can see the rear sight with the front sight a little blurry and forget trying to make out the target. So with the new shooting glasses I got them in a weaker magnification so I can see both sights equally well. I need to use cheaters to read my phone. I am resisting using larger font. Stubborn I am.

I haven't noticed differences while shooting, but I have noticed that my vision is MUCH sharper when I wear my glasses than contacts.  I assumed it was because the prescription for glasses are customized closer to what is exactly needed as opposed to the steps in correction offered for soft contact lenses.  Where I have noticed a bit of change is in transitioning from near to far focus.  I've tried to maintain some of that with vision exercises, but can't fight age. . . 

Those are nice glasses and pretty affordable.  I noticed my vision is starting to take a dive when I hit 40.  I notice it takes more effort to focus though my vision is still pretty good so I don't need bifocals yet, but I'll keep this in mind.

Another option is to go to red dots.

Those are nice glasses and pretty affordable.  I noticed my vision is starting to take a dive when I hit 40.  I notice it takes more effort to focus though my vision is still pretty good so I don't need bifocals yet, but I'll keep this in mind.

Another option is to go to red dots.

I have red dots on some of my guns. But not all guns should have red dots on them. And not all guns are capable of having red dots mounted on them. And some can only have them with modification from a smith.

For instance your carry gun should not have a red dot. And hopefully that is the one gun you practice with the most.