A reminder to fellow shooters........

[ENCORE]

In all my years and yes, I admit I've been guilty at times, I've seen many shooters at the range and at their own range, shooting without shooting glasses. We sometimes take safety a little light, which we shouldn't. Even minor changes not related to a safety issue, may be considered minor or non-significant. That may not be the case.....

I'm sitting here typing, when I'd like to be shooting but, that's not going to happen for at least a couple months. Now I'd like to say that I'm not shooting because of an injury. That said, I'm writing to remind shooters to wear the proper safety equipment when shooting and, also to remind shooters of other problems, one which I've experienced.

A long story short, seven weeks ago I noticed what appeared to be a black dot, resting on my right cheek, obviously with my right eye. My shoot'n eye. It was late on a Saturday, called my regular eye doctor who told me to immediately go to the ER. After I was seen by a specialist, I was told that I needed to have surgery as soon as it could be setup (Just Great!). Problem was that the retina had detached and I had a rather large tear in the retina.

Fortunately I didn't hesitate and the tear didn't enlarge. Had it, it could have torn to the center of my vision, which would have made me center vision blind from surgery. The surgery went well and seven weeks later, the surgeon states everything is going perfect and healing well. However it did significantly change my vision prescription.

So here I set reading different posts, different web sites and unable to do ANY shooting. I was given strict orders of, "NO SHOOTING OF A FIREARM OF ANY KIND", no lifting and all the other expected. Instead of being out back on my range shoot'n the muzz as usual this time of year, I'm laid up for at least another two months.

Point being......... It may not just be an injury or accident that could prevent your shooting or, even end it. I highly suggest that with any changes in your vision, you should IMMEDIATELY seek medical attention. One never knows how serious it may or may not be but, it should be checked immediately. Wear your safety shooting glasses when shooting, always. I'm praying that doctor is right and in a couple months I can start shooting again, being able to see clearly from my eye.

 

[Coyboy]

A detached retina from what I have been told can be from shooting a heavy recoiling rifle. I hope your recovery goes well.

 

[ENCORE]

A detached retina from what I have been told can be from shooting a heavy recoiling rifle. I hope your recovery goes well.

The muzz don't kick.........

Seen five (5) different eye doctors and all stated that its more of a problem with nearsighted people, of which I am, plus age. I started seeing flashes of light and floaties back in July and was warned that there may end up being a problem, which there was seven weeks ago. All the doctors said that when they determine its healed, I can go back to shooting, cutting wood and all my normal activities.

I guess if there's any good, at least according to the wife, we've saved a ton of money already this spring.........

 

[rick523]

Hope the healing goes as expected, and your back on the range soon. On the bright side at least it isn't hunting season. I missed my first deer season in 35 years, two years ago due to torn rotator cuff. All's good now though.

 

[Coyboy]

Good point Rick, I've been lucky and have not been injured during that time of year. My world almost shut down on me when I was 14 though, broke my arm on the first day of Christmas vacation.

Encore, rest that eye, and get well. One word of caution, I assume you have an eye patch on? I had an eye injury 20 years ago and had to patch for 9-10 days, doc said, rest, dim light, not to drive, ect, ect. Well I didn't listen and my other eye got strained. After it all washed out I needed prescriptions on both eyes.

 

[ENCORE]

Coyboy I'm beyond having to wear an eye patch. I actually only had to wear it one day after surgery but, I had to wear it for a week while sleeping. What wasn't easy the first couple weeks, was to set on the edge of a chair, rest my elbows on my knees holding my head and look straight down at the floor for four (4) hours a day. That was tough but I did it for the time required.

I had to see one of the associate surgeons the second day after surgery, which was when I was asked about my "normal" activities with a lot of questions. Then came the restrictions placed on me. So for the last seven weeks, its been basically nothing. I was just released from most of my restrictions except..... no shooting and no lifting for two more months or, until he feels the eye has completely healed. I didn't have a clue how long this would take to fully recover but, its something that I have to complete. Reality can hit pretty hard.....

I've only had one issue since the surgery, which was what he called adaptive spasms, which cause considerable pain. More pain than one wants to tolerate. Basically caused from all the trauma of the detachment, tear, then the surgery on top of that. Putting me back on one of the prescription eye drops resolved that issue. I've worn glasses or contact for over 50 years and this surgery really changed my vision. Although I wear disposable contacts almost exclusively, the prescription changed in that eye from -3.25 to a -5, a significant difference. The current problem is, that they can't totally clear the vision while the eye is still healing and I'm using drops. So it'll be at the end of the 2 months (I guess) when things may be corrected properly.

I did though and with the watchful observation of the wife, take the .17HMR out and play with the scope adjustment. If the eye and vision clarity don't improve any further, I can still adjust the scope and see clear. Lets just hope I can hit those long range targets with the muzz.... gun)

 

[ENCORE]

Well here I sit eight months later and still with some issues. My right eye, my shoot'n eye, has healed....... well almost. I took "Bad Medicine" out of the safe the other day, fired off 48 rounds and wasn't happy with my shooting, as I couldn't get a group under 2" no matter what. Now there's nothing changed with the rifle, load or bullet. I had a feeling it was something associated with all the trauma this year.

Now and prior to my shooting, about a month ago, the left eye started giving me problems. Right off the bat the floaters started along with the flashes. Back to all the eye doctors and the surgeon..........

Today I seen the surgeon and explained about the right eye and my shooting. The girls had already took scans of both eyes and he checked it over. Come to find out, I have two spots of inflammation that just happen to be in the center of my vision. The surgeon told me that it would explain my not being able to focus on a small target, a 2" Caldwell Shoot-n-C dot. Once I tried to center the dot in my eye, other parts of my eye started to compensate for the center loss of vision. In other words, the eye continuously tried to focus. Two EXPENSIVE prescriptions for drops, one kind in the morning, another in the evening should help or eliminate the inflammation.

It appears as though I'm at least going to make it through the regular MI firearms season but, if the left eye remains the same or worsens, I'm going to miss the muzzleloader season this year.

So as I originally stated, take care of your eyes boys and girls. If you notice ANYTHING that has changed, don't hesitate seeing a doctor!