Astigmatism and red dot sight

[EkayJav]

[EWastigmatism]

Prism work, but don't do what a red dot does. As noted by my handle, I have the same issue. A circle dot reticle works for me. Adding an ARD also helps, and Holosun does make them. Apparently, the honeycomb helps the eyes focus. The first fix is to try lowering the brightness level. Good luck!

[Munny$hot]

To immediately cure your problem you can simply look through your rear iron sight if it's circle type pep sight. Other than that an etched reticle is the answer

[hermosabeach]

Maybe the Trijicon dot without magnification would work

[NoHeavyHitter]

I'm in the same astigmatism boat... I can't use an eotech or many other scopes, but a 1x prismatic with etched reticle works great for me. I shoot these with both eyes open and the scope kind of "disappears". All I really see is the reticle superimposed on the target.

The scopes that I like best are the Russian PKAS and PK01, or the Leupold Tactical prismatic. I have multiple units of each and they all work great for me. As an added bonus, these scopes can be used without illumination and will appear black during daylight and red using the illumination.

They are not cheap, but they are well worth it.

[jdewolf]

I have a minor astigmatism in my right eye [dominate eye]. For the most part I don't have issues with red dots, donuts of death, etc. Although I notice a little less pronounced fuzziness with Eotechs.

[rl2020]

Meprolight M21. Dot is clear even with my astigmatism.

[Batman]

Check out the Vortex Spitfire, both 1x and 3x. I've got the same astigmatism as well, and the Spitfire simply works. It's a circle-dot reticle, so very similar to your Holosun.

If you do decide to get glasses, bring the sight to the optometrist. You know when they're asking which is better, 1 or 2? 3 or 4? Many times they're checking for astigmatism (and ask them when they are!!) so you can hold the sight while looking through it to see if it indeed is better or not!

[kcheung2]

Like everyone else said, a 1x prism scope is the solution. But something else to consider is your intended use, which is home defense and close quarters. In those situations, the priority is being able to make quick snap shots, and accuracy is way down there. As long as the shot is within a foot of where you want, that's probably good enough.

So in that situation, a 2 MOA dot (0.5" at 25 yds) with perfect eyesight will bloom to more like a 5 MOA (1.25" at 25 yds) with astigmatism. And at the typical home distances of 10 yds or less those numbers are even smaller. For the great majority of people, with plenty of time to aim, that's not going to matter. And it matters even less when under stress.

If you're looking for a crisp dot to make really precise hits, then you need to move away from red dots altogether and get a scope. A red dot is not intended for precision.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

I have both a Holosun 510C and a Primary Arms Cyclops Prism Scope. I also have an astigmatism and esptropia.

On the Holosun it's the most usable for me with the dot inside the circle reticle and the brightness can't be cranked up very high, otherwise it's unusable.

Also keep in mind yes, it's optional to have both eyes open when using a red dot for a wider field of view, situational awareness, etc., but you CAN use them like you would with just one eye open. I also have esotropia and see two sight pictures when I keep both eyes open, so although no optimal, it's better than nothing. You adapt and figure out what works best for your situation.

The Primary Arms Cyclops as others have mentioned isn't a red dot, but man, it's a nice optic. The adjustable diopter is fantastic and allows you to dial in a crystal clear image. Works differently than a red dot, but also works similarly, and the learning curve isn't bad at all if you're used to using a red dot. The biggest thing to get used to is the eye relief on the Cyclops, and you don't have as much leeway when looking through the prism scope off-axis like you would with a red dot.

[EkayJav]

Thank everyone for your input. I greatly appreciate it. I will try an etched prism scope.

[Divehobo]

I run dot on pistol and rifle. I shoot with both eyes open and keep brightness turned as low as possible. As brightness of dot increases, star burst shows up and gets more and more distorted to point shooting through dot is useless.

I have a 3x magnifier on my rifle, rifle dot is crystal clear at any brightness through magnifier. Nothing scientific to offer but it might help

[tacticalcity]

I have astigmatism and lasik. So I see a starburst. I just ignore it. The dot is crisp enough. Just a little starbursting. Put the center over the target and shoot.

I think some of the complaints about it have to do with being fairly new to red dots. You're likely looking at the dot. Don't. Look at the target.

With irons you focus on the front sight and the rear sight and target are slightly out of focus. So you're used to focusing on the sight. Red dots are different. Unlike with irons your focus is not meant to be on the sight itself You almost completely target focused and your dot is slightly out of focus. You are now "target focused". The exact opposite of what you've spent years learning to with irons.

Once you start focusing on the target, the less your astigmatism will bug you. You'll also get a hell of a lot faster. It's like taking the leash off. Just my experience. But everybody is different. But give it a shot.

[Divehobo]

You're likely looking at the dot. Don't. Look at the target.

...Red dots are different. Unlike with irons your focus is not meant to be on the sight itself You almost completely target focused and your dot is slightly out of focus. You are now "target focused". The exact opposite of what you've spent years learning to with irons.

...You'll also get a hell of a lot faster. It's like taking the leash off.

yup, yup, yup

[smoothy8500]

I think some of the complaints about it have to do with being fairly new to red dots. You're likely looking at the dot. Don't. Look at the target.

+1

It will require a little bit of self-training, most successful is some dry-fire practice in the garage to build the skill.