Advice for those with low vision?

Bob-O-Rama

Bob-O-Rama

Registered
Hi,

I'm a late comer to the game, and while in the last year I went from horrible to terrible to merely bad, I am finding that my vision issues are becoming more of an obstacle... I have keratoconus, which in one eye gives me a lot of ghosting and blur, and the other eye is just not as bad, but still crappy. Its not disabling, except to whoever gets stuck being my partner on pool night. :-)

So aside form the lack of skill, my primary issue is aiming. More oftent than not, I'm able to get the cue ball to where I want it to go, but where I want it to go is stupid because of having difficulty judging the placement of the balls.. So I'm curious if there are particular aiming strategies that work better with vision issues?

I find that the typical low angle sighting stance techniques I'm constantly advised to use is just not helpful. If you think of an overlapping alignment, It all ends up looking like a blurry Master Card logo.

What seems to work better is aiming from a standing position where I can better estimate the center of the balls, in that all of them are blurry against the cloth, and all blurry in a similar way.. But with anything, just because it "seems" better doesn't make it so.

Thanks!

-- Bob
 
I have the same disease. I wanted to have lazik a few years back but couldn't because of it. Even though my vision is bad I still see something to connect to. Where I have issues is with straight ins. Don't see them right enough to be sure is straight ,so what I do is line it up straight ,(sway) make it a little off and back to straight. Works good for me.
Don't get discouraged, realize you do see something.

Good luck to you.
 
Time at the table is about the only answer. You might want to give Geno a call as he has a good understanding of how the eyes work. For those of us who are older the game is a constantly changing experience. As we gain knowledge our physical attributes are deteriorating. In 1 1/2 yrs my dominant right eye went from 20/20 corrected to 20/50 and my left eye went to 20/35 and I was diagnosed with dry macular degeneration. I experimented with different head positions and have found that I must take longer in my PSR and slow everything down to make sure of my visualizations. Don't get frustrated get determined.
 
Bob-O-Rama said:
Hi,

I'm a late comer to the game, and while in the last year I went from horrible to terrible to merely bad, I am finding that my vision issues are becoming more of an obstacle... I have keratoconus, which in one eye gives me a lot of ghosting and blur, and the other eye is just not as bad, but still crappy. Its not disabling, except to whoever gets stuck being my partner on pool night. :-)

So aside form the lack of skill, my primary issue is aiming. More oftent than not, I'm able to get the cue ball to where I want it to go, but where I want it to go is stupid because of having difficulty judging the placement of the balls.. So I'm curious if there are particular aiming strategies that work better with vision issues?

I find that the typical low angle sighting stance techniques I'm constantly advised to use is just not helpful. If you think of an overlapping alignment, It all ends up looking like a blurry Master Card logo.

What seems to work better is aiming from a standing position where I can better estimate the center of the balls, in that all of them are blurry against the cloth, and all blurry in a similar way.. But with anything, just because it "seems" better doesn't make it so.

Thanks!

-- Bob
Click to expand...

Hi Bob

Sorry to hear about your condition but glad to hear you took up pool. Good luck in finding what you are looking for.

If you haven't noticed I am a firm believer in CTE and it's objectivity of perceptions. It just might help.

Good luck in your journey!

BLADE

steviemoore.com
justcueit.com
mezzusa.com
Zan tips
 
While standing, put your stick on the table with you stroke hand on the butt where you perceive the shot line to be and then drop down and pick up the stick with your bridge without moving it to the side.
 
I had 4 surgeries , 69-72. Always had a depth perception prob. I learned from a pro who had an upright stance. This always helps, but now, at age 60, my doc said that I was developing another CATARACT, in my "good" eye. I've been able to achieve & Excell in the various games. My practice consists of a warm up, getting my depth up rapidly, and semi-stand up stance. This has really helped.
When my good eye was 20/20 it was bad enough, till I took this stand up approach. Ps, it's a hell of a lot easier on your back.! A lot of ways to win a match!! , out endure, out bet$$$, etc... & more. Practice an upright stance. May not be your cup till you get some practice...? Good luck...
 
Ps, I also had many terrific ques. 2 scams. Especially the 2nd, was so balanced, marine me keep the cue level with the table.! Forced me to improve my game.
I've done it, and seen so many "wanna be" (shortstops) jack up the butt of their cues, forcing them to "squib and /or squirt" the cue ball, resulting in a miss hit, haha. Like poker, it's a tell.! No consistent stroke! Ha, enjoy your game.... B
 
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