Billiards Glasses

Nature Boy

Nature Boy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I know there has been a few threads on here about them, but what kind of billiard glasses do you use and why? I have an eye appointment next week, and would like some recommendations.

I had a list saved of the different companies I have read about on here, but my phone died and I lost them.

Thanks in advance!
 
I go to Curran in Philly. I've been going to him since 4th grade for regular glasses in 1989 or so. (his father too at that time, and now his son works there). I asked him to design me pool glasses in 2002 or so. We worked together over several visits with my pool stick in hand and the rest is history. He does phone/internet orders too, you don't have to be local. If you go to him, tell him Papageorge sent you. I don't get anything, just like to support the local businesses.
 
before I got back into pool, I shot skeet and the glassware is very similar, sit high on your face and look thru the upper part of the lens. so firearm shooting glasses will work for shooting pool too. since these hobbies were about 20 years apart, I had glasses for both due to changes in my prescription. they helped.
 
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Imto
iusedtoberich said:
I go to Curran in Philly.
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I tossed out close to $1000 using him. He's not the answer. Find someone that will work with you and stand behind the set up if adjustments or new lens has to be made. My first few were using RayBan shooters frames and a custom lens. Explain what you want achieve. At first I wanted a field of 4-9'..the background was blurry. Years later the next pair were progressive that I got use to. I could adjust to the field, could read, and use them for driving also.
 
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At my second to last eye appointment the Dr convinced me I needed glasses , my stipulation was ok as long as they'll help me see the pool balls better at the far end of the table .
They strongly suggested Trifocals , I'll tell you what that was one of the worst things I've ever had done to myself , going from sun glasses or nothing to trifocals , I hate them , the kitchen fable was moving while I was sitting still , steps moved as I was trying to walk up or down them and I've only put them on or use them to read as for playing pool they really didn't help me that much .

The good part was these frames sit high enough up on my nose so I don't have to try looking over or under the frame .
Yes my stance while shooting a shot is probably much different than most others so buyer be aware .
 
Use contacts, not glasses for pool. Contacts are a lot better. Glasses smudge, in pool there can be issues with them obstructing vision, and are bulky. Contacts work great, put them in, no vision blockages, no smudges, just great vision day in and day out. If I did not have contacts, and had to wear glasses playing pool, I would quit the game and do something else.
 
Rusty in Montana said:
At my second to last eye appointment the Dr convinced me I needed glasses , my stipulation was ok as long as they'll help me see the pool balls better at the far end of the table .
They strongly suggested Trifocals , I'll tell you what that was one of the worst things I've ever had done to myself , going from sun glasses or nothing to trifocals , I hate them , the kitchen fable was moving while I was sitting still , steps moved as I was trying to walk up or down them and I've only put them on or use them to read as for playing pool they really didn't help me that much .

The good part was these frames sit high enough up on my nose so I don't have to try looking over or under the frame .
Yes my stance while shooting a shot is probably much different than most others so buyer be aware .
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Same ....the 1st time I wore Progressive (trifocals). Horrible but after wearing and getting use to them I cannot do without them. Sometimes the original Rx might be too strong and create problems...especially with tri's
 
If your in a Dry climate contacts are tough action, and in the latter days of play, the smoke was a killer. Only recommendation I have is this. No metal rims on the glass bottoms from nine to three o'clock the top half is just fine.
 
Do yourself a favor and have your optometrist create a blended prescription of distance and close-up.
Mine spent 20 mins in a conference room placing objects 3-12 feet apart on a large conference table.

He used the portable fitting station optometrists have and we experimented different lense combinations.
After we finished, he wrote a billiards prescription to go along with my reading and distance prescriptions.

The clarity was spectacular and I see him annually for an eye exam. I relied on my Ray Ban pool glasses for
10 years and along the way he adjusted my billiards eyewear prescription so my vision was always acceptable.

The best part is you don’t need to wear goofy looking eyewear to play pool. Instead, you can pick any eyewear
frame like Maui Jim, Ray Ban or any frame you prefer. The best is your own physician maintains your prescription.

Here is my best part…in 2016, I underwent cataract surgery & just went with the standard lens instead of custom
prescription lenses. Low & behold I got lucky & my vision after surgery was 20/20 so no more eyewear for pool.
 

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GoldCrown said:
Imto

I tossed out close to $1000 using him. He's not the answer. Find someone that will work with you and stand behind the set up if adjustments or new lens has to be made. My first few were using RayBan shooters frames and a custom lens. Explain what you want achieve. At first I wanted a field of 4-9'..the background was blurry. Years later the next pair were progressive that I got use to. I could adjust to the field, could read, and use them for driving also.
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Curious were you not happy with the frame/fit, or the lens, or both?

If the lens, did the rx used 100% come from your optometrist/ophthalmologist? Or did Curran use that as a starting point and then adjusted it?

I’ve only ever had him use the ones direct from my ophthalmologist, which for me, being in my 20s to 40s worked perfect.

Now that I’m late 40’s my eyes are changing for reading, but so far the single vision lens still work for me with the original Rx.
 
iusedtoberich said:
Curious were you not happy with the frame/fit, or the lens, or both?

If the lens, did the rx used 100% come from your optometrist/ophthalmologist? Or did Curran use that as a starting point and then adjusted it?

I’ve only ever had him use the ones direct from my ophthalmologist, which for me, being in my 20s to 40s worked perfect.

Now that I’m late 40’s my eyes are changing for reading, but so far the single vision lens still work for me with the original Rx.
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when i talked to curran many years ago he told me that he takes your rx and adjusts it to keep the focal length between 3-12 feet ....ideal for a 9 foot table
at least thats what he did for me
if i recall correctly he adds .025 power to your rx
but that is not me telling anyone what they should do
or saying thats what he does
 
iusedtoberich said:
Curious were you not happy with the frame/fit, or the lens, or both?

If the lens, did the rx used 100% come from your optometrist/ophthalmologist? Or did Curran use that as a starting point and then adjusted it?

I’ve only ever had him use the ones direct from my ophthalmologist, which for me, being in my 20s to 40s worked perfect.

Now that I’m late 40’s my eyes are changing for reading, but so far the single vision lens still work for me with the original Rx.
Click to expand...
i was never unhappy with curran just felt the quality was equally good and less expensive with billiard-eyeglasses
also as my eyes changed do to post cataract procedures and age
i could not find a local place make me a new lens for the curran frame as he uses screws to attach the lenses
and no local place wanted to touch that
the billiard -eyeglass frame has a clear loop on top that you can not see when the lens is inserted and i was able to get new lenses made and switch them out in the billiard-eyeglass frame
saving the expense of buying a new frame for the new lenses
 
iusedtoberich said:
Curious were you not happy with the frame/fit, or the lens, or both?
Click to expand...
Everything. The upside down lens, the position of the piece that holds the 2 lens together was in the field of vision..was distracting. Visually they needed to be reset or adjusted...Could not play pool with them.
The price...over sold and I bit. Do I want extra thin, extra lightweight, scratch coating, transitional? $900 when complete. Had high expectations... Was expecting a nice picture. These were not my first pair of pool glasses...thought I try him as many people like his work.
Way too far to go back for adjustments (was there 2x's)
The office has (or had) a musty mildew odor.
This is my personal experience. Glad it works out for some people. I tried. I had different eyewear made from my guy in Florida.. He was great to work with. Currently no glasses needed... Toric lens ala cataract surgery.
iusedtoberich said:
If the lens, did the rx used 100% come from your optometrist/ophthalmologist? Or did Curran use that as a starting point and then adjusted it?
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Not the lens...I brought the Rx to him. The Rx was ok.. I used them in spare eyewear.
 
Contacts worked perfectly for me. I had them prescibed for distance. I have an astigmatism and they worked well for years. I had cataract surgery a few months ago. Brand new lenses. Pretty close to 20/20 now.
 
garczar said:
A couple friends have these and love em. https://billiard-eyeglasses.com/
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Gosh, I dunno what to say about those glasses other than everyone has different tastes and opinions.
Personally, I’d rather go with a contemporaneous look & style eyewear instead of that style of glasses.

And by using a blended prescription, presuming you had near and far vision prescriptions, you get a near
perfection image between 2-12 feet away. You just weaken near & strengthen distance in a new prescription.

I think wearing a normal size, stylish frame, even Ray Ban 58mm Aviators or sleek wraparound design looks
so much better and fits your vision needs. I suppose if you wanted progressive, just let your eye doctor know.

Zip.s.
Dealing with suppliers out of town versus visiting your own optometrist is a night and day experience. I you get to
see your physician and communicate so much better so that your prescription is hand tailored til your next exam.

When you have follow-up visits with your eye doctor, bring your glasses and get retested every year to see if your
prescription needs changed. Let’s ask the readers….Ray Ban version like mine or the referred to billiard eyewear?

Does anyone have a favorite pair or style of eyewear frames they now use or would like to get, even sunglasses?
You can use those frames for your billiard prescription eyewear. So would anyone still pick those billiard glasses?

p.s. No tariff surcharge buying locally
 

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philly said:
Contacts worked perfectly for me. I had them prescibed for distance. I have an astigmatism and they worked well for years. I had cataract surgery a few months ago. Brand new lenses. Pretty close to 20/20 now.
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What’s even better than great clarity is the world of colors exploded.

One thing you’ll need forever is sunglasses. Stepping outside into
sunlight or daytime driving is absolutely blinding. Fact: having your
vision restored via cataract surgery means permanent light sensitivity.

It’s a small price to pay to see clearly and with colors you can’t imagine.
I had no idea how much I was missing out on and boy, what a change.
 
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