glasses/contacts while hunting

Chris S.

Chris S.

Well-known member
Last season I realized that I needed glass when I could tell they were ducks but not sure what kind of duck. If you can't see that green head 20yrds away its time for glasses. So I went and got both contacts and glasses. It's like night and day my eye test showed that I should not have been driving without glasses. So my question is what do you guys wear glasses or contacts. My fear is that my glasses will shine or reflect light and the birds will see me. So I was thinking the contacts would be better. What are your thoughts thanks.
 
Started wearing glasses at age 13. Got contacts at age 18. With the advent of soft lenses it is the only way to go. Never use my glasses in the field.

Tight Lines ... Fred
 
I've worn hard contacts for 35 years. They don't fog up, the rain doesn't leave spots and if a dead ducks trajectory is aimed at my head, I won't have broken glasses.
 
I have just started wearing glasses in the shooting field. I went to an independent optician who shoots, he told me that grey lenses are the best to use. There is a lot of different coulours, I have reactor lenses which help with glare. I defiantly shoot clays better, in the field we shall see. I don't have any experience with contact lenses, but what has been said makes good sence. ESP the rain.
 
Chris,
Glasses are definitely a pain..They fog up if you sweat..driving your boat in the rain or mist is real tough..If you lose them in the field or damage them you better have a spare...As far as glare that would spook birds I never had a problem...But if you can't tolerate contacts as I couldn't then glasses it is or surgery...And with contacts you can wear sunglasses...just my 2 cents...
 
Chris,

I wore glasses and contact through highschool and college, earlier on almost always contacts, but as I got older (and less vain) I went to glasses more and more for practicality. I've been strictly glasses for almost 20 years now. Working in a greenhouse, I deal with more fogging, waterspots, and dirt and grim every day than any duck marsh can put out. I'm far less bothered than anyone I know about glass cleanliness, I have developed an ability to focus beyond the lens, as it is just not practical to clean them every time there is something on them. A little hint, when you think your shirt is too dirty or wet to clean your glasses, pull up your shirt tails to clean...then tuck it back in to preserve the cleanliness. I wouldn't want to deal with clearing dirt from my eye or getting a lens off center or worse yet falling out while in a duck marsh as typically your hands aren't all that clean to be poking around your eyes.

As far as glare, stay still, a little glint off the lens as the duck passes at the perfect angle to reflect isn't a big deal...there is water all around, last I checked that stuff reflects too.

Lasic surgery ruins your night vision...have heard that from multiple sources.

Best
Chuck
 
Chris,
I started wearing glasses in high school. They were a pain for a while. After getting my bachelor's degree, I got contacts to wear while hunting/fishing/other outdoor sports. They were nice as far as not fogging up, but they did irritate my eyes and I have gone back to wearing glasses full time again. I honestly don't even notice them 99% of the time. I don't run a big boat on big water, so I don't have the issues with long runs in the rain and water splashing on my glasses. I agree with those that have said that reflection is a non-issue.

Scott
 
I'm all for LASIC. Had glasses since I was 5, tried contacts and that didn't work. 10 years ago or so I had LASIC and haven't looked back. Depends on your age and if your eyes are still changing or not. I was old enough and my eyes hadn't changed in a number of years so I had it done.

As far as night vision - not a problem. It was right after surgery for a little while as I had rings around lights - common right aftersurgery. Went away in a very short period of time.

Now my distance vision is not what it used to be and I'll have to do something - either glasses or contacts. My eyeballs could never tolerate contacts but I am hoping the technology has changed and made them more comfortable. Glasses are a major pain. Fogging up, rain, always in the way, can't wear decent sunglasses etc... If you can wear contacts, that is the way to go. Chuck also mkaes good points in that contacts can be a pain as well. Personal choice.

Mark W
 
have had glasses since 13, contact since 15, I never wear my glasses now. 2 week disposables and they are always in great shape.

just keep your glasses in your duck bag or on the boat in case you loose one during the hunt. has never happened to me, but loosing your dominant eye contact in the middle of a hunt would really stink.
 
Chris,

I started wearing glasses when I was a teen, when one day dove hunting with my dad I made the most beautiful shot on a................Meadow Lark. I've tried every color of lens they offer and I've found light blue or gray offer the best option (in my mind) for color clarity and cut down on eye strain if your a person like me that sits for hours working at a computer screen. As far as glare I now use transition lenes. With the help of my wife she tells me they don't shine or reflect in sun light like my standard glasses do. I will say at dawn I wish the glasses didn't change color as fast as they do. Sometimes they are just a little darker than I'd like. I've never considered contacts because I can't tell you how many times glasses have saved my eyes from things slapping me in the woods in the dark going to the blind or deer stand or just out scouting.

So happens I'm scheduled later this week for an eye exam. I've been using bi-focals for years and have complained about not being able to focus and make out birds as you discribe. It's been suggested by a eye doctor that hunts to try using a single vision glasses for hunting. He also told me about these glasses.

http://www.camovision.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=1&vmcchk=1&Itemid=26

They offer an insert for your prescription that work with the glasses. Of course most places offer safety and shooting glasses with prescription lens anymore.

Kind of long winded but hope it helps.
 
I always wore contacts when I needed too due to the fact I was so impaired I had no peripheral vision when wearing glasses. Had lasic in 98 and have been happy as heck since then.
 
Contacts for me hands down. No fog up, no water spots etc. The only draw back I've found is that they do dry out on windy days, so I carry some re-wetting drops with me.
 
I wear bifocal contacts, hate wearing my glasses and only wear them as a last resort and only for a short time, usually in the evenings when my eyes are tired and dry. I too keep drops in my hunting bag, but like the periphial vision, and ability to use tinted shooting glasses or sunglasses as conditions warrent. I also keep some clear safety glasses handy for long boat runs to keep my eyes from drying out.
 
I use to wear contacts but my eyes got too sensitive to tolerate them. I've been wearing glasses for 20+ years and have no problems with them except maybe in the boat ride. I wear one of those masks that keep the cold air off my face. As far as rain is concerned, I pull my ball cap down lower on my eyes. I think an protected face showing to the ducks is far more detrimental than the glare that might come off your glasses. I have a prescription set of sun glasses but I also have a sun clip that is real handy to keep in your shirt pocket.
 
I first got glasses in second grade, but didn't start wearing them daily until I was in college. That's also about the time I started hunting. They do get filthy, but like Chuck J said, I've become accustomed to it. My wife will often ask me "How can you see through those?" I'll then take off the glasses and look at the lenses and realize they need cleaning. The only real pain is fogging and freezing spray, but these are not daily occurences. No problems with birds flaring from reflection.
 
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I had to start wearing glasses a few years back. I have had no problems with glasses in the field. Just do the same like you would to cover your face from passing birds, like cover your face with a glove hand and look through your fingers. Using flip sunglasses in light brown shade helps so the birds do not see your eyes. Get a pare with a brown frames and one without a shiny reflective finish. If you need to cover your face, use a mask with a nose breath hole. The worst thing you will have to contend with is spray from traveling in the boat. Get the poly carbon lenses for safety. Some of the anti-fogging applications to the lenses does help.
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Thanks for all the replys fellas I have been wearing the contacts on days that I can. I work in a welding shop in the day time and can't wear them there but they don't bother me. I will try both this season and carry the glasses and drops with me and see how I do. Thanks.
 
Last season I realized that I needed glass when I could tell they were ducks but not sure what kind of duck. If you can't see that green head 20yrds away its time for glasses.
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THis was my exact same story about 13 years ago. Getting glasses greatly improved my ability to ID ducks and my shooting improved tremendously.
Glasses or Contacts? After struggling with contacts over the course of one season, I gave up on them. I could not wear them for more than 2 hours, condition called "dry-eyes". So its glasses for me. As long as you wear a baseball style cap, keep your head down and dont move alot, I dont think that the glare flares birds.
But if you can wear contacts, definately go that route. Driving the boat in glasses in the dark sucks: spray will coat them and make you miserable.
Make sure to take contact solution and a case with you to clean them. Also a backup pair of glasses.
 
I have been wearing glasses since 1956. Can't tell you how many times they have saved my eyes from serious injury while working, hunting (Grouse for Sure) & fishing.

Buy the BEST Titanium frames you can get, and Transition lenses. Also get a pair of Polaroids. They will be some of the best investments you will ever make.

They can put the bifocal where you prefer it, for the use you intend.

I can handle raindrops & foggin' up, but I can't imagine loosing my eyesight due to injury........
 
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