N/A Pistol Shooting Eye Fatigue

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Ezana4CE

Ezana4CE

Member
Jan 15, 2021
10,684
3
7,477
Texas, United States
As with many of us I’ve been told that my vision is not what it used to be.Im pretty new at shooting air pistols with reflex sights. One thing that I’ve noticed is that when the target is small, let’s say less than in inch in diameter, after taking a few shots I start noticing my eyes getting fatigued. This is shooting from 10 yards out. It doesn’t feel the same as the eye fatigue I experience with digital optics during night hunting. It’s more of a feeling of straining to focus. I’m not sure if it makes much difference but I’ve done a considerable amount of pistol shooting at dusk as of late.

Does any one else experience this? For those that do, what helps you?
 
  • Like
Reactions: .20calguy
Ezana4CE said:
As with many of us I’ve been told that my vision is not what it used to be.Im pretty new at shooting air pistols with reflex sights. One thing that I’ve noticed is that when the target is small, let’s say less than in inch in diameter, after taking a few shots I start noticing my eyes getting fatigued. This is shooting from 10 yards out. It doesn’t feel the same as the eye fatigue I experience with digital optics during night hunting. It’s more of a feeling of straining to focus. I’m not sure if it makes much difference but I’ve done a considerable amount of pistol shooting at dusk as of late.

Does any one else experience this? For those that do, what helps you?
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
Ezana4CE said:
As with many of us I’ve been told that my vision is not what it used to be.Im pretty new at shooting air pistols with reflex sights. One thing that I’ve noticed is that when the target is small, let’s say less than in inch in diameter, after taking a few shots I start noticing my eyes getting fatigued. This is shooting from 10 yards out. It doesn’t feel the same as the eye fatigue I experience with digital optics during night hunting. It’s more of a feeling of straining to focus. I’m not sure if it makes much difference but I’ve done a considerable amount of pistol shooting at dusk as of late.

Does any one else experience this? For those that do, what helps you?
Click to expand...
I struggle with this during field target for pistols... both extreme and regular hft. you have to get away from the eyebox as mentioned... look away, blink, etc... also describe the fatigue... is it like trouble focusing, the image dulling or getting darker etc... Ideally we would have pistol scopes more appropriate for airguns but i didn't have much luck with the Burris because the reticles were not useful for my sport.
 
  • Like
Reactions: maxtrouble and .20calguy
Upvote 0
cavedweller said:
I struggle with this during field target for pistols... both extreme and regular hft. you have to get away from the eyebox as mentioned... look away, blink, etc... also describe the fatigue... is it like trouble focusing, the image dulling or getting darker etc... Ideally we would have pistol scopes more appropriate for airguns but i didn't have much luck with the Burris because the reticles were not useful for my sport.
Click to expand...
What I am wondering is if this will always be this way or will my eyes become accustomed to the reflex sights to where I won't strain them so quickly? I mean, did any of you start with this issue and work your way up to being able to stay on target longer before being affected by eye fatigue?
 
  • Like
Reactions: .20calguy
Upvote 0
@Ezana4CE - I have so much barrel weave that I have to move my eyes so much just to hit what I'm aiming at that they never get tired!:ROFLMAO:

I have found that it does help me to change the brightness of the dot or dot/circle reticle so that I can stay focused longer.

I have more problems with "digital eye blur" hunting with digital scopes. It is worse at night as you don't want to move away from the eye piece and let anything see the light from your small "flashlight" you're looking into. I have to wait for my eye to clear up in order to drive!
 
  • Haha
Reactions: maxtrouble
Upvote 0
Pfddi said:
@Ezana4CE - I have so much barrel weave that I have to move my eyes so much just to hit what I'm aiming at that they never get tired!:ROFLMAO:

I have found that it does help me to change the brightness of the dot or dot/circle reticle so that I can stay focused longer.

I have more problems with "digital eye blur" hunting with digital scopes. It is worse at night as you don't want to move away from the eye piece and let anything see the light from your small "flashlight" you're looking into. I have to wait for my eye to clear up in order to drive!
Click to expand...
@Pfddi I also turn down the brightness as it gets dark. I've found that a bright reticle can blur out a small target. This of course depends upon the thickness of the dot and reticle. That wobble can be helped, but not eliminated, with exercise. At least that helps me to shoot rifles and pistols better offhand. Now I'm wondering if my eyes can be conditioned to hold on target for longer through this reflex sight. I don't find that I have a similar experience looking through a rifle scope.
 
Upvote 0
Your issue is technique. You are looking too hard focusing on the sight not the target. Use both eyes. With a reflex sight, your focus should be the target. With iron sights, your focus should always be the front sight. The best reflex sights are ones with really good polished glass and many intensity settings. This takes practice. Shoot with both eyes open. Practice infinite focus with both eyes. The reflex dot should NOT be the focal point! On edit, one more point, we try to keep the dot in the center of the glass, but that is NOT important. What is important is the dot on the target regardless the relationship of the dot on glass center. Try it at short range if you don't believe me and see for yourself.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Vana2
Upvote 0
steve-l said:
Your issue is technique. You are looking too hard focusing on the sight not the target. Use both eyes. With a reflex sight, your focus should be the target. With iron sights, your focus should always be the front sight. The best reflex sights are ones with really good polished glass and many intensity settings. This takes practice. Shoot with both eyes open. Practice infinite focus with both eyes. The reflex dot should NOT be the focal point!
Click to expand...

@Steve-I I shoot with both eyes open. It seems to be mainly an issue with small targets (an inch in diameter or smaller). The longer I shoot and the smaller the targets get, the more I find myself trying to hold steady to align the reticle with the target. I think this is what tends to cause me eye fatigue.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Ezana4CE said:
What I am wondering is if this will always be this way or will my eyes become accustomed to the reflex sights to where I won't strain them so quickly? I mean, did any of you start with this issue and work your way up to being able to stay on target longer before being affected by eye fatigue?
Click to expand...
I haven't had this problem to be able to answer your question.
What are your targets? Are you set up for plinking? I generally have contrasting backgrounds to help with visibility.
20240404_190331.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: maxtrouble
Upvote 0
.20calguy said:
I haven't had this problem to be able to answer your question.
What are your targets? Are you set up for plinking? I generally have contrasting backgrounds to help with visibility.
View attachment 572672
Click to expand...
@.20calguy Thanks for the suggestion. I practice shooting paper. I’m not set up for metal-paddle types of reactive targets at home. This is the target It’s mainly the bottom row when I experience fatigue. I’m usually starting at the 1 or 2 and sometimes the 5. Either way the bottom row is usually last.
IMG_9323.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: .20calguy
Upvote 0
maxtrouble said:
@Ezana4CE - What reflex sight are you using? Have tried a different model or a red dot? Are you taking breaks between shots?
Click to expand...
@maxtrouble I am using a Holosun 507c reflex sight. I have not used other models or dots. I take a break when I reload or finish a group (5, 8, or 9 shots). When I can see the holes from where I’m standing I will move the pistol to view the target to be sure I’m close to my POA. I will shoot 2 or 3 shots at close intervals sometimes. At other times I shoot slowly shot by shot focusing on my breathing and trigger “pull.“ I tend to shoot the pistol later in the evening around sunset shooting towards the horizon with the setting sun behind the tree-line.
 
  • Like
Reactions: maxtrouble and .20calguy
Upvote 0
Ezana4CE said:
@.20calguy Thanks for the suggestion. I practice shooting paper. I’m not set up for metal-paddle types of reactive targets at home. This is the target It’s mainly the bottom row when I experience fatigue. I’m usually starting at the 1 or 2 and sometimes the 5. Either way the bottom row is usually last.
View attachment 572717
Click to expand...
Thanks, I have experienced that phenomenon shooting at small targets at 30yards with a green dot reflex sight. If it's too bad I have to leave, for something bigger and come back to them.
How do you zero your dot?
Mine are set to be like a bead on an old lever rifle. The pellet impact touches the top of the dot allowing for small target access.
👍
20230530_201117.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: maxtrouble
Upvote 0
.20calguy said:
Thanks, I have experienced that phenomenon shooting at small targets at 30yards with a green dot reflex sight. If it's too bad I have to leave, for something bigger and come back to them.
How do you zero your dot?
Mine are set to be like a bead on an old lever rifle. The pellet impact touches the top of the dot allowing for small target access.
👍View attachment 572732
Click to expand...
@.20calguy I zero the sight by putting the dot over the target. There’s a circle around it.
IMG_9333.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: .20calguy
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu