Any of you guys have perfect vision (like even better than 20/20 at one point) that went to shit as you got “older”? I know, stupid question! My eyes were freaking awesome as a younger adult, but as I hit the 40+ mark over a decade ago my fine vision was blurred. That was my first sign. Distance is still good, maybe not as crisp as it once was but for, say, shooting I’m good-to-go. Now ask me to read a pill bottle? Ain’t happening without my Wally World reading glasses. Pair for work (finally gave in as I was tired of squinting at my computer), pair for the man-cave in the basement, and the pair I have on now typing this. It’s really frustrating trying to read something while out-and-about when I don’t usually drag my glasses along. Never saw an optometrist, Wally World speshuls are working fine (for now!).
Still see TV fine though. Computer screen is much more friendly with the readers on.
I had PRK when I was 25, corrected from 20/400 to 20/20. Now 36, can still read the 20/20 charts but the astigmatism got worse and it takes forever to focus on distant objects if I’ve been playing on my phone or focusing on something close for more than 30 seconds. I’m sure it’ll only get better over the next 10-15 years.
Always had excellent vision; was 20/10 for yrs. Dropped to 20/20 around 2-3yrs. ago. Noticed having slight issues with viewing some objects up close. Doesn’t happen every time, but my eyesight is not what it was.
Lifelong 20/10, awesome near vision, awesome dark vision, etc.
Than reading glasses mid 40s,
Slight bunch of grapes on aimpoints,
Worse night vision, etc.
Sucks.
Basically, prevailing theory is,
You have great vision, you lens can be focused by muscles for better far, near vision, as needed and luck of the draw on night vision.
You get older, the lens stiffens, and you lose ability to focus for near vision.
The lens gets more cloudy as you age. Night vision suffers.
Light gets more glare, etc.
You may develop astigmatism, less symmetry, etc.
You are like that once top of the line scope that is 50 years old now with scratched lenses, yellowing cloudy lenses, and a variable power ring that is gunked up and only goes from 5-7 now instead of 3-9.
I had Lasik in 98 and vision was 20/15. Once I hit 45 or so near vision starting going. Up until a couple of years ago I could still see the front sights on a handgun ok. The last couple of years definite no go. Distance vision is still fine. Last month I had an eye exam and decided to go with multi focal contacts. I see fine both far and near now. However, going when with multi-focals there is a bit of a trade off. They take away a bit of your distance vision to make up with the near. I’m at about 20/40 distance and 20/20 near now. I hate going back to contacts but I can easily see up close now. I don’t wear them all the time though. Mainly during the week for work and that’s it.
Yup… 20/15 until 43… 20/20 (for now) at just over 50. While 20/20, it’s not nearly as crisp as it was 20 years ago. Ill probably need glasses for distant in a year or two. When I was a young LEO, I could read a license plate two blocks away. It’s hard at a few car lengths now. Sigh. I can still pass a 20/20 test at the Dr., but he says I have one year left at that if I’m lucky. Just a part of getting older.
Like everyone else, near vision can be a biach over 50. I have a set of readers handy. I do my best not to use them, but some days I just have to.
I had perfect vision growing up. As a kid I collected coins and could discern not only dates but mint marks on pennies and dimes, even ones that were very old and very worn. Only rarely did I need to grab my magnifying glass.
Then sometime after my 40th birthday I noticed it was harder to read item number in catalogs and I began to complain about everything being in microprint. I began with +0.75 for reading dealer catalogs and things like that. Eventually I discovered I needed readers to read a book at night. Now my typical readers for internet and “most things” is +1.75 but if I really need to see something like fine print in my insurance policies I go to +2.50.
See an eye doctor to make sure it isn’t anything else but once that is done most drug stores have decent reading glasses for $20.
Had 20/10 till about 55 years old. Now it is 20/20. But need reading glasses, only a 1 and it has been this way for about 10 years.
But it makes shooting normal sighted pistols a thing of the past. RMR for me.
I have always had 20/20 but at 46 if the lighting is bad…up close is tough. Don’t worry, you are only as old as you feel until you are reminded of how well you can see. There is no denying either one.
Great vision for all my life. Took a dive about two years ago (46) mine is the long distance stuff. I’m pretty sure I won’t pass my CDL physical in July, so it’s off to the eye doc for me next week.
Same as the OP here. At 45, started needing readers but only 100’s. Distance vision is still perfect. Also had to give up basketball at 45 due to meniscus tear.
I knew this was common, but I didn’t realize it was this universal. My story is nearly identical to the OP too. But I don’t have my own glasses. I borrow my wife’s when she’s not looking.
getting old sucks !