What Design of Binoculars is Best for Eyeglass Wearers?

Most people press their faces against binoculars to peer through them, but eyeglasses get in the way of this. Even a pair of sunglasses makes it impossible. Fortunately, for decades, designers have been building binoculars that accommodate glasses.

Eye Relief

People who wear glasses need binoculars with plenty of eye relief. Higher eye relief numbers allow users to hold binoculars slightly away from their faces and still see full images. William Cook, former U.S. Navy optical expert, recommends eye relief of at least 15 mm for people who wear glasses.

Eyecups

Eyeglass wearers should avoid old-fashioned metal eyecups that they can't adjust. Modern eyecups are made of soft rubber, which allows users to adjust them to fit comfortably around their glasses.

Vision Problems

Binoculars correct some vision problems, such as nearsightedness--which means some people can take off their glasses while using binoculars. Other vision disorders, including astigmatism and cataracts, do not improve or become worse during binocular use, according to binocular developer John Riutta at The Binocular Site.

References

• National Wildlife Federation: Wildlife Watching: Focusing in on the Right Binocular
• The Binocular Site: Binoculars and Eyeglasses--Compatibility is Possible