Corrective lenses improve your game?

evanlockhart

evanlockhart

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've had bad eyesight since I was a freshman in high school, but didn't actually get an eye exam or perscription until seven years later. I remember taking the vision test at the department of licensing and mistaking an "O" for a "D." The clerk said, "close enough!" and gave me my license.

When I found out how much better my vision could be, I couldn't believe it. But I found that contacts burned my eyes, and made them red and dry, so I gave into the irritation and only used them every once in a while. I eventually got a pair of glasses just for driving and for use at night (when I really need my vision), but I don't use them normally throughout the day.

I'm used to having my normal "bad" vision, even though I don't feel the NEED to have corrective lenses in all the time. I don't play pool with contacts in or glasses on.

Looking at a pool table with correct vision is like a whole 'nother game. I recently had my eye exam and have decided to see if I can get used to contacts once and for all. I'm testing out a couple of different types, and last night was the first time I used them on a pool table.

I can't believe how well I played. I could see and aim at parts of the pocket better. It felt like I could trust my stroke more, and it was easier to pinpoint the spot I needed to hit on an object ball. Angled shots away from my line of vision seemed to be clearer.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Any stories of people elevating their game because they can see a little better? I just didn't know how much difference was made by adding corrective lenses.
 
It didn't improve my game but it improved my life. And that may have influenced my game.

Freddie <~~~ can see for miles
 
I agree with Fred 100%

Try out the Acuvue Oasys if you can. It has a coating that keeps them from drying out. Those are the ones that really help me when I'm in a smoky pool room several nights a week.

Air Optix by Ciba vision is another brand that is good for dealing with the dry eyes. For me, the Oasys just works better. :D
 
Not to be too much of a smart-aleck, but I'm amazed that you're amazed that better vision helped you play better. Isn't this one of those self-explanatory things? Pool is a hand-eye coordination activity. All things being equal, better vision = better pool. It's like being amazed at how much better you play with both hands instead of just using one.

On a serious note: The difference between pocketing a ball and rattling it in the jaws is an extremely small margin of error on the contact spot on the object ball. I don't know the exact measurement, but we're probably talking only a couple millimeters on a medium-length shot. So, yeah, better vision = better pool.
 
I tried contacts but could not wear them. I chose LASIK and in the end it was worth it for me.
 
9Ball_JJ said:
Try out the Acuvue Oasys if you can. It has a coating that keeps them from drying out. Those are the ones that really help me when I'm in a smoky pool room several nights a week.

Air Optix by Ciba vision is another brand that is good for dealing with the dry eyes. For me, the Oasys just works better. :D
Click to expand...

I'm actually trying out the Oasys Hydraclear's now. I can't remember the other type I was given. My eyes seem to water a lot, any slight wind from walking and the tears start to flow. I can't even look straight all the time, I have to look down to counteract the tearing reaction. Is this just part of getting used to them?
 
You've encouraged me even more. I've never been able to play with glasses since my eye accident gave me an astigmatism & I could never put a contact in my eye. I say I've been playing for the last 20 years on 'memory'. But I have been giving contacts a real serious thought lately as I think my astigmatism has gotten a little worse. Your description may have just pushed me over the edge that I might once again may be able to see.

Thanks,
 
It seems like the eyes are the first thing to effect an older player's game.

Contact lenses correct my near-sightedness...but I need glasses to correct a lazy eye I never knew I had until I started playing pool last year (when I look down-table I see two balls when there's only one; one I see clearly and the other is kind of a hazy image about 1/2" away from it).

Unfortunately the arthritis in my neck means I can't see through the lenses when I'm down on a long shot. So, I just play with my left eye closed.

I hope the lenses work for you.
 
evanlockhart said:
I've had bad eyesight since I was a freshman in high school, but didn't actually get an eye exam or perscription until seven years later. I remember taking the vision test at the department of licensing and mistaking an "O" for a "D." The clerk said, "close enough!" and gave me my license.

When I found out how much better my vision could be, I couldn't believe it. But I found that contacts burned my eyes, and made them red and dry, so I gave into the irritation and only used them every once in a while. I eventually got a pair of glasses just for driving and for use at night (when I really need my vision), but I don't use them normally throughout the day.

I'm used to having my normal "bad" vision, even though I don't feel the NEED to have corrective lenses in all the time. I don't play pool with contacts in or glasses on.

Looking at a pool table with correct vision is like a whole 'nother game. I recently had my eye exam and have decided to see if I can get used to contacts once and for all. I'm testing out a couple of different types, and last night was the first time I used them on a pool table.

I can't believe how well I played. I could see and aim at parts of the pocket better. It felt like I could trust my stroke more, and it was easier to pinpoint the spot I needed to hit on an object ball. Angled shots away from my line of vision seemed to be clearer.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Any stories of people elevating their game because they can see a little better? I just didn't know how much difference was made by adding corrective lenses.
Click to expand...


If pool is a significant part of your recreational time have your optometrist correct your vision for the 2-10' range. This will be slightly different than what your normal prescription might turn out to be. That's what I've been doing for the last 10 years or so and it's quite a help pool-wise.

Lou Figueroa
 
evanlockhart said:
I'm actually trying out the Oasys Hydraclear's now. I can't remember the other type I was given. My eyes seem to water a lot, any slight wind from walking and the tears start to flow. I can't even look straight all the time, I have to look down to counteract the tearing reaction. Is this just part of getting used to them?
Click to expand...

Yes, in the beginning your eyes will have all sorts of crazy reactions to having a foreign object in them. Your eyes were designed to do that: tears to flush out any objects.

In time they'll get used to the contacts and stop trying to flush them out.
 
lfigueroa said:
If pool is a significant part of your recreational time have your optometrist correct your vision for the 2-10' range. This will be slightly different than what your normal prescription might turn out to be. That's what I've been doing for the last 10 years or so and it's quite a help pool-wise.

Lou Figueroa
Click to expand...

I have my contacts prescription in the 2-10' range as well for shooting pool and I have a different prescription for my everyday glasses. With my contacts I am an "A" player, without them I am more like a "C" player.
 
lfigueroa said:
If pool is a significant part of your recreational time have your optometrist correct your vision for the 2-10' range. This will be slightly different than what your normal prescription might turn out to be. That's what I've been doing for the last 10 years or so and it's quite a help pool-wise.

Lou Figueroa
Click to expand...

I thought about this, but it's also important that I have the depth range for driving, shooting, etc. Does your vision decrease rapidly beyond the range correction? I guess I should ask my doctor some questions
 
evanlockhart said:
I thought about this, but it's also important that I have the depth range for driving, shooting, etc. Does your vision decrease rapidly beyond the range correction? I guess I should ask my doctor some questions
Click to expand...

I can drive no problem with the contacts in, but you really need to discuss this with your eye doctor.
 
evanlockhart said:
I thought about this, but it's also important that I have the depth range for driving, shooting, etc. Does your vision decrease rapidly beyond the range correction? I guess I should ask my doctor some questions
Click to expand...


The only issue is reading, but I'd need reading glasses for that either which way. Driving is no problem and I can actually read street signs further out than my wife. It's not really that big a change from what your regular prescription would be -- it just crisps up the edges of the balls.

Lou Figueroa
 
ENGLISH! said:
You've encouraged me even more. I've never been able to play with glasses since my eye accident gave me an astigmatism & I could never put a contact in my eye. But I have been giving contacts a real serious thought lately as I think my astigmatism has gotten a little worse. Your description may have just pushed me over the edge that I might once again may be able to see.,
Click to expand...

I started playing pool a few years ago and feel like i've plateau'd lately. I know it takes a lot of hard work and determination to play at a high level, but I also know what needs work in my game to get there. It usually takes me a couple turns at the table to run out, but finding vision to be a huge missing ingredient on my journey to being a solid player is a huge boost. Don't take my word for it though, go check them out! I have a slight astigmatism as well, and there's a contact for every eye curvature out there.
 
There's a doctor in Quebec, Canada, I believe that can help you. I think his name is Harris, but he grinds special lenses for pool players. Try googling 'Billiard Eyeglasses'.
I used them, several years ago, but have since opted for a seeing eye dog. When I'm down on a shot Old Rex will bark once for me to move left, twice for me to move right, and if I need to draw the cue ball he farts. :smile:
 
evanlockhart said:
I started playing pool a few years ago and feel like i've plateau'd lately. I know it takes a lot of hard work and determination to play at a high level, but I also know what needs work in my game to get there. It usually takes me a couple turns at the table to run out, but finding vision to be a huge missing ingredient on my journey to being a solid player is a huge boost. Don't take my word for it though, go check them out! I have a slight astigmatism as well, and there's a contact for every eye curvature out there.
Click to expand...

Evan,

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm joining an in house hall league with ( fot fast Simonis @ the end og the year. I think i will do it beofr then.

Thanks again,
 
I bought a pair of "billiard glasses"
actually got them on ebay from a place in London for under $100 including shipping. Sent my prescription from my optometrist, including the correction for my astigmatism and I LOVE THEM!!
They are oversize and frameless so there are no obstructions to your vision no matter where your head is when you line up a shot. Lenses are plastic so they are very light weight.
I highly recommend them.
 
I only wear contacts when playing pool. Glasses distort, making the balls and pockets look sharper but smaller (and you often need to hold your head at an unnatural angle), contacts make objects normal sized and sharp. I use Focus Dailies which are intended to only be used once and then thrown away, but I save/reuse them sometimes. You don't need to mess around cleaning, storing, worrying about tearing one and they're also pretty cheap. If you can get used to them, contacts are the way to go. Better vision will help your game.
 
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