Best red dot for astigmatism
Astigmatism is a vision condition in which the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) or the lens (the part of the eye that helps focus light) has an irregular shape. This irregular shape causes light to be focused differently on the retina (the back part of the eye) causing blurry or distorted vision.
When you have this condition, the red dot becomes blurry, smeared, or appears as multiple dots. When this happens, you are unable to focus on your target and achieve the proper aim.
Sometimes the blur can result from a defective red dot and you may not be having astigmatism, but how do you know the difference?
Astigmatism vs Defective Red Dot
These are some of the methods you can use to determine if your red dot is defective, causing it to display blurry, smeared, or multiple dots.
- Ask a friend-If you suspect that your eyes have astigmatism you can confirm this by handing the red dot sight to someone else to tell whether they are getting the same, blurry, or smeared image of the dot, assuming they do not have astigmatism.
- Try a different red dot-This is similar to asking for help from a friend, if you have another red dot sight nearby try and see whether you are getting the same blurry dot. If different red dots are producing a distorted dot, then it’s more likely that you are suffering from astigmatism.
- Take a picture of the dot-A camera won’t have astigmatism, therefore if you take a picture and the dot is distorted it means that the sight is defective. If, however, the camera captures a perfect single dot, you should schedule a visit to an optometrist, because you may just be astigmatic.
- Rotate the sight-take hold of the red dot sight and rotate it in either direction while looking at the dot to see what happens. If the distorted dot moves with the rotation, the sight is most likely faulty.
Although astigmatism is a common condition, we do have some red dots that take care of it or try to minimize its impact when aiming at a target. This article will go over the best of these red dot sights.
Let’s get started…
Best Red Dots for Astigmatism- Top Picks
| Product | Image | How To Buy |
| Vortex Spitfire 1x-AR Prism Scope |  |
|
| EOTech 510 Series 512-A65 Holographic CQB Weapon Sight |  |
|
| Holosun HS510C 2 MOA Dot 65 MOA Circle Reflex Red Dot Sight |  |
|
| Holosun HS510C 2 MOA Dot 65 MOA Circle Reflex Red Dot Sight |  |
|
| Holosun EPS Carry enclosed Pistol Sight |  |
detailed reviews….
1. Vortex Spitfire 1x-AR Prism Scope
This is a prism scope that has been specifically designed for people with astigmatism. It uses a glass-etched reticle that can be used with or without illumination to make sure that the shooter can forego, the blurry effects of the dot.
The reticle is a dual-ring tactical reticle designed for rapid shooting at close ranges. It’s simple to aim with this reticle because it draws the eye into instant alignment with the center and target, and it comes in red or green for illumination.
The scope is simple to use, with simple controls and an easily accessible 5.56 BDC turret that allows shooters to dial popular AR-15 configurations to 700 yards. Furthermore, it is tough and can withstand severe outdoor conditions, with a battery that can last up to 3000 hours.
Features
- Magnification: 1 x
- Prism-Based Design
- Objective Window Size: 25 mm
- Reticle: DRT MOA
- illumination Color: Red/Green
- Brightness Settings: 12
- Eye Relief: 3.8 in
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.5 MOA
- Field of View: 79 ft at 100 yds
- Battery Type: AAA
- Gun Make: AR Platform
- Dimensions: 4.3 x 3.9 x 1.29 in
- Weight: 11.2 oz
2. EOTech 510 Series 512-A65 Holographic CQB Weapon Sight
This red dot sight is a dependable option that uses holographic technology to provide a clear image as well as to aid in quick target acquisition. It is durable and will withstand a reasonable amount of abuse out in the field. What makes this sight a good option for astigmatic users is the various reticle options that it comes with. One of the reticles is a 68 MOA ring surrounding a 1MOA dot that helps the shooter to clearly pick up the target.
The reticle also features quick brightness adjustability which is ideal when shooting at targets in different lighting conditions when the reticle tends to appear a bit hazy.
The red dot is fairly lightweight at 11.5 oz and has a battery that will last for 2500 hours. This makes it an overall, dependable sight that is suitable for quarters combat and mid-range shooting.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 0.85 in
- Reticle: 65 MOA Ring and 1 MOA Dot
- Illumination Type: Holographic
- Brightness Settings: 20
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.5 MOA
- Field of View: 30 yds at 4 in
- Attachment/Mount Type: Weaver, MIL-STD 1913
- Battery Type: AA
- Water Resistance Level: Submersible
- Dimensions: 5.6 x 2 x 2.5 in
- Weight: 10.9 oz
3. Holosun HS510C 2 MOA Dot 65 MOA Circle Reflex Red Dot Sight
This is an open-reflex reticle that can work with any type of rifle or carbine. It’s super durable and has a battery that will last up to 50,000 hours. This red dot carries the unique solar fail-safe feature from Holosun that allows the reticle to continue working from solar power even when the battery fails.
This feature also automatically adjusts the brightness of the reticle depending on the brightness in the surrounding. This red dot sight has all the benefits of a red dot, such as unlimited eye relief and quick target acquisition, and comes with two color options for various designs of the reticle.
The reticle can be had in either red or green, with a design where a 65MOA circle surrounds a 2MOA dot, making it easy to acquire and aim at targets. The reticle is also illuminated with 12 brightness settings. Characteristics go a long way in aiding astigmatic shooters. Overall, this is a high-quality red dot option that will appeal to a majority of users with astigmatism.
Features
- Objective Window Size: 91×1.2 in
- Reticle: 2 MOA dot 65 MOA Circle
- Brightness Settings: 12
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.5 MOA
- Attachment/Mount Type: QD Mount
- 3 reticle options
- Quick release mount
- Battery Type: CR2032
- Water Resistance Level: IP67
- Dimensions: 3.3 x 1.6 x 1.8 In
- Weight: 4.94 oz
4. Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II Holographic Sight
This is one of the best-performing sights on the market. It uses a holographic reticle, that is extremely fast that helps to quickly acquire targets, which is a necessity in close-quarter situations.
This holographic sight also stands out for its large viewing window which gives it a large field of view, and a good awareness of the surrounding.
The reticle has been designed with precision in mind, it has been cleaned out, to make it simple to use and accurate. The accuracy is further enhanced by the FHQ technology that does well to reduce glare to give a clear image of the target. Overall, these features are excellent in boosting shooting skills, even for someone with astigmatism.
Features
- Magnification: 1 x
- Reticle: 1 MOA EBR-CQB
- Illumination Type: Holographic
- Brightness Settings: 15
- Adjustment Click Value: 1/2 MOA
- Attachment/Mount Type: Picatinny
- XR Fully Multi-Coated lens
- FHQ Technology eliminates glare
- Battery Type: Lithium, CR123A
- Dimensions: 3.6 x 5 x 2.7 in
- Weight: 11.8 oz
5. Holosun EPS Carry Enclosed Pistol Sight
This is the best option for a red dot sight that can be used with a pistol. It’s been improved for both accuracy and clarity. A built-in rear notch sight helps with the aiming.
There are several types of reticles available, including red and green, and shooters with astigmatism can choose a 2MOA dot encircled by a 32 MOA circle. This reticle provides the shooter with clear visibility regardless of the surrounding conditions, and the circle aids in centering the shooter’s focus.
Additionally, and for better clarity the red dot features an aspheric lens that gives a perfectly clear picture. Power comes from a CR1620 battery that will power it for a decent 50,000 hours of continuous usage the power is assisted by solar capability and shake awake feature that only powers the red dot when motion is detected.
Features
- Magnification 1x
- CR1620 battery with up to 50,000 hours battery Life
- Parallax-free & Unlimited Eye Relief
- Aspherical Glass Lens with Zero Distortion
- Shake Awake Technology with Last Setting Recall
- IPX8 Certified Waterproof
- Built-in rear notch sight
- Weighs 1Oz.
Red dot sight Buying Guide
These are some of the characteristics that one should consider when buying a red dot sight.
Reticle- Apart from the design of the reticle, some reticles give the shooter different customization options that will help with the accuracy. The type of reticle depends on personal preference and the intended use. some others have adjustable brightness that is able to adapt to various lighting conditions.
Mounting– not every red dot sight is mounted the same, and it’s important to identify whether the sight is compatible with your rifle before making the buy.
Battery– The longevity of the battery that powers the red dot sight determines how long you can use it. A long-lasting battery indicates that the sight will be dependable because it will be used for a longer period of time before the battery needs to be recharged or replaced.
Weight– Because the sole purpose of using a red dot is to facilitate faster target acquisition, a heavy sight makes the weapon unwieldy and may be self-defeating. Although weight is subjective, if you want the speed associated with red dot sights, get something lightweight.
Price– Better red dot sights are more expensive, but we have decent options at any price depending on the shooter’s budget.
FAQs
Can astigmatism be treated?
Yes, astigmatism can be treated and the most common treatments include;
- Glasses-there are glasses with lenses that are specially shaped to refract light in a way that compensates for the irregular curvature of the cornea.
- Contact lenses-soft or toric contact lenses can be used to correct astigmatism.
- Refractive surgery- such as LASIK or PRK, can reshape the cornea to correct astigmatism by removing or reshaping tissue in such a way that the curvature is evened out.
- Orthokeratology- also known as “ortho-k,” entails wearing specially designed contact lenses overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea, allowing you to see clearly without glasses or contacts.
Are rifle scopes affected by astigmatism?
Yes, astigmatism can affect the appearance of the reticle when you get when using a conventional rifle scope. A scope like the Primary Arms SLx Series 1-6 x 24mm, has designed the reticle to minimize that and ensure that even a shooter with astigmatism is able to get a well-defined image.
Which is the best handgun optic for astigmatism?
The HoloSun EPS Carry is the best handgun optic for astigmatism. This has been calibrated for both accuracy and clarity, and it is available with multiple reticles that benefit shooters with astigmatism.
CONCLUSION
This article provides the most comprehensive review of the best red dot for astigmatism. If you have astigmatism, the red dot sight on our list will provide you with the best performance. However, not all will fit your budget because everything is priced differently. It’s also worth noting that astigmatism can be treated; if you suspect you have it, schedule an eye exam with an optometrist.
Related