RFI: Binocs For Someone With Eye Problems

[billhiltonjr]

As a birder for more than 30 years I have lots of experience with binoculars, but three major retinal surgeries last year created a problem. None of my current binoculars work satisfactorily anymore, so I'm seeking advice from others--especially if you have similar difficulties. Here's what you need to know:

--I've always been extremely nearsighted in both eyes and have worn spectacles since childhood.
--I had three surgeries for a retinal tear in my left eye.
--Due to the surgeries, I developed a cataract in my left eye and had to have a lens implant that essentially corrected my nearsightedness in that eye.
--I still have astigmatism in my left eye, which means I still have to have a corrective spectacle lens; thus I wear glasses that include a corrective lens for each eye.
--Because the left and right eyes are now very different, the spectacle lenses are also very different--so different that the various binocs I have can't be adjusted far enough to accommodate both eyes. (In other words, even when I focus for one eye with the thumb focus, I can't turn the adjustable eyepiece far enough for BOTH eyes to be in focus.)

Can anyone suggest any good quality 8X or 10X binoculars that can be adjusted enough to solve my problem?

Thanks in advance,

BILL

[ceasar]

On a similar post a day or so ago, Otto Mc D. mentioned he "adjusted" the IF of the right eye of a bin to extend the diopters available. He mentioned doing it with a knife blade. Maybe he could elaborate on that here. It might solve your problem.

Bob

[Otto McDiesel]

Can anyone suggest any good quality 8X or 10X binoculars that can be adjusted enough to solve my problem?


BILL

You need a pair of IF (individual focus) binoculars which have as much adjustment as possible for each eye (-5/+5). Try to find some in 7x50 or 8x30.
Check Fujinon 8x30 FMTR-SX at Eagle Optics (you can send them back if they don't work), Steiner, Hensoldt, IOR, and the Russian stuff.

[Otto McDiesel]

These are good and might be what you want, but if they don't work, i don't know if you can send them back for a refund.

BPOC 7x30 Military Officer Binoculars (Catalog #: BBPOC730)

http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/cgi-bin/kowstore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=BBPOC730

[Keith Dickinson]

Bill
The problems your are experiencing is due unequal retinal image sizes, with the difference in the images being greater than the brain can compensate for.
When presented with someone with this problem I would normally fit a contact lens to the eye without the implant in order to reduce the short-sightedness and bring the retinal image sizes nearer equality. For my patients, this allows them to use spectacles to achieve binocular vision in comfort.
This could work for you with regards your binoculars, you would then not need to purchase a new pair or try to force the dioptre ring further than intended by the manufacturers.

Keith

[henry link]

Bill,

Do you know how much difference there is between your eyes in diopters? As it happens I have recently been measuring the actual diopter adjustment range on some of my binoculars. I've found that the scales (when there are any) are not always accurate. The two binoculars I've measured with the widest actual adjustment are the Zeiss 8x42 FL and the Nikon 8x30 EII which both have around +/- 8 diopters of adjustment. The nikon 8x32 SE has about +/- 6.5. The Zeiss 8x32 FL about +/- 5.5 and the Swarovski 8.5x42 EL only about +/- 3.

I doubt that many birders would be happy with individual focus binoculars, but one last ditch possibility would be to have an adjustable right eyepiece installed on the left side of a CF binocular to increase the range of adjustment. I believe both the Nikons mentioned above could be modified that way by a binocular tech. That would give the same adjustment range as an IF binocular, but with the quick focus of CF. It is also possible that Zeiss could modify the internal focus of the FL to sqeeze out a little more adjustment. If none of this or Keith's suggestion works for you, then you may need to simply cap one side of your binoculars and use monocular vision.

[Tero]

Maybe a good quality light weight scope is the thing for you. You need only focus it for one eye. Try in store with glasses on and off.