Glasses...

Tramp Steamer

Tramp Steamer

One Pocket enthusiast.
Silver Member
You couldn't tell it by looking at me (is this were I say lol), but I'm getting a little long in the tooth, and my eyesight isn't what it used to be. The edges of pool balls are becoming more and more difficult to see, especially on the long shots up or down table.
Has anyone had any experience with eyeglasses that were especially made for playing pool? Glasses that correct one's vision only as far as the table area itself.
I would not want to play and have to cock my head at uncomfortable angles in order to peer over a set of bi-focals, etc.
Any comments?
 
I had a pair of shooting glasses made (Zeiss scopz) they have an adjustable nose piece. 3 heights so you can always look through the sweet spot.
The Eye doc said he could take your distance script and add 1/2 of your close script and it would be good for up to 10 ft., add blue tint to sharpen the edges of the balls and add contrast. add antiglare..I did that and could not adjust to the view.
so I had regular lenses made with antiglare and installed. I like them this way and can use the low setting for 7', middle for 8', and High setting for 9' .
Ewa Laurance did an article about some pros having contacts made that magnified the table slightly, but she said you can't walk around with them in, disorienting.. that's what I felt with my first lenses..
hope this helps..
Randy G sells a similar product.
Mark

http://www.sportsvisions.com/prscpzis.htm#prscpzis.htm
 
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When I last had my prescription renewed I got special pool lenses.

He said my options with him were 6', 12', 18', ... max. focal length. So, I got 12'. Works good but next time I'll probably go with 18'. I don't think it will affect my play and it will allow me to view better as a spectator when I'm not at the table -- because beyond 12' starts to get fuzzy fast.
 
Snookered007 said:
Steamer,

Check out the link here. Hope this can be a useful resource to you.
Click to expand...

I bought these. Got an exam at WalMart and told her (the Optometrist) what I was doing. She took .5 diopter off my regular perscription (without the bi-focals) and now I know why they call them "cheaters." One of the best investments I have made.
 
Tramp Steamer said:
You couldn't tell it by looking at me (is this were I say lol), but I'm getting a little long in the tooth, and my eyesight isn't what it used to be. The edges of pool balls are becoming more and more difficult to see, especially on the long shots up or down table.
Has anyone had any experience with eyeglasses that were especially made for playing pool? Glasses that correct one's vision only as far as the table area itself.
I would not want to play and have to cock my head at uncomfortable angles in order to peer over a set of bi-focals, etc.
Any comments?
Click to expand...


Thanks for the input, everyone.
I just got off the phone with a lady from Wal-Mart Eyecare. She said that focal lengths as far down as pool table size could cause dizziness when looking at things other than the table. Vision correction to 20/20 or 20/15 might be best. And, using disposable contacts might be better than glasses. Pop them in before I go to the poolhall, throw them away when I get back home. Cost would be minimal since I don't need them for everyday use.
What do you think?
 
To each his own. I find contacts irritating but then I only bought them once.

I have had my billiard glasses for about two years and have no problem with dizzyness or anything else. They make the balls exceptionally clear, to the point that I used to feel like they are a way to cheat. I do find that they are not good for distance vision such as driving. I carry my pool glasses in my pool case and put them on about five minutes before I play to let my eyes accomodate. They look like upside down glasses and usually are a conversation piece when I meet new people.

Perhaps the strength or weakness of your eyes has a bearing on whether or not the glasses would work for you. My uncorrected vision is about 20/40 with an inability to fuse objects.

If you talk with the fellow in Canada (his phone is on the web site) he can give a better opinion. He is a nice guy, helpful and gets your glasses to you quickly. I was impressed with him and his services. It would be worth a phone call before you get too much invested. BTW he was the one who suggested that I go to WalMart for the exam.
 
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The article Ewa did she said you would not want to wear them (contacts) except to play. She said you bump into things and if I remember right she said she has a drunk feeling when walking around away from the table.
 
Tramp Steamer said:
Thanks for the input, everyone.
I just got off the phone with a lady from Wal-Mart Eyecare. She said that focal lengths as far down as pool table size could cause dizziness when looking at things other than the table. Vision correction to 20/20 or 20/15 might be best. And, using disposable contacts might be better than glasses. Pop them in before I go to the poolhall, throw them away when I get back home. Cost would be minimal since I don't need them for everyday use.
What do you think?
Click to expand...

Is your Pool Hall non-smoking?....SPF=randyg
 
I have a general question about these "jack up" glasses: Do they allow you to adjust the tilt of the lenses?

I made my own pool glasses out of an old pair, and in addition to jacking up, I had to put a 25 degree bend in the side pieces to get them to be distortion-free. (reversed the pantoscopic tilt)
 
Snookered007 said:
Steamer,

Check out the link here. Hope this can be a useful resource to you.
Click to expand...

I have these fr dr harrison and i first had the decots,actually ill give you a good deal on the decots if you want to buy them.Phone dr harrison and talk to him,toll free,he will guarantee you glasses work for you for pool or refund your money no questions asked.they are well made ane what i like have thin lenses,my were made good to about 10 ft and work for me,
 
Mine do not, they just raise the height off your nose which keeps you looking through the same focal spot.
 
glasses

I went (am going) through the same experience. Before you spend a zillion $ on specialized glasses
find some cheap readers rated about 1.25 to 1.75
They will give you focus from about 2 ft. to infinity? Glasses are hard to get used to but you must persevere. After two months I will not shoot without them and I have improved my game.

Ultimately you and I will want to get some specialty glasses but try the cheap ones first. The difference is amazing with glasses. The balls no longer have a fuzz around the edges.
 
randyg said:
Is your Pool Hall non-smoking?....SPF=randyg
Click to expand...

No, but I wish it were. If I catch a cold in that place it turns into acute bronchitis in a heartbeat.
But, I think I know where you're coming from with the question. Smoke irritates users of contact lenses, am I right?
 
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This thread has been an eye opener.... I have very poor vision without my glasses reading and distance, so when I started playing pool I had a pair of distance only glasses made. I went with frames that would give me the biggest lenses. They work fine but far from ideal. So these pool specific frames look great and it appears that many of you are getting very specific prescription for distance in relation to the table. I am interested in persuing this. Have you been telling the eye doctor, make my vision good for a specific distance??? Thanks for the valuable info
 
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