Snooker specs help needed!!!!!

[stephen povey]

Hi guys i am a new memeber and i have just started to play seriously again. BUT as i am 55 i think my eyes are not what they were still i make the odd 40 it should be more!
I have noticed my long potting is not what it was. So i am of to the opticians tomorrow to get my eyes tested. I don't think my eyes are far out but enough!!
So what i need to know is what are the best specs to buy. I have looked on the net and there seem to be 2 typess. the Dennis Taylor type or the swiviel / hinged type, which is best? Please write back with your thoughts..... Cheers Steve.

[Terry Davidson]

Ask about gas permeable contact lenses which will give you the visual acuity of glasses but without the inherent distortion that glasses impose. I'm almost 65 and have been wearing these for years now plus have had cataract surgery on both eyes and a retinal tear in the right eye, but I can still run 100's every once in a while however I did notice the long potting was the first thing to go and I'm working to overcome that.

If you must go with glasses then go with the Dennis Taylore type but be certain they are fitted right. This is because glasses, because they are off your eyeball, do introduce distortion and with the swivel lenses you may adjust them wrong when you start playing and it will be another variable you will have to control or else learn to overcome. Why complicate things?

Terry

[stephen povey]

Thanks Terry but what are they like to put in and take out?

[Terry Davidson]

It took me less than 1 hour to get used to them and when I first got them the optician gave me a little lesson in getting them in and out and they are actually easier than the soft lenses and just as comfortable.

But unlike the softs, they do not need the moisture content in your eye to keep their visual acuity. If I'm playing in a tournament for 12 hours or longer I do use comfort drop later at night, but I normally have these in my eyes from 7am to 10pm every day with no problems.

The other advantage is unlike the hard lenses and some of the soft ones the gas permeable allow your cornea to breathe so you don't get the bloodshot eyes.

I have them in right now and will be going down to practice as soon as I finish here on TSF

Terry

[Freddie Ng]

Be careful and fully tested out if you really needs to get a pair of glasses. Everyone has a different focus point. Make sure you go for an experience ones at your place.
I personally uses contact lens too. Just the normal type. After a few times you will get used to it and finds it confortable.
For first timer, it's advisible to carry comfort drop with you (esp if you're in a tourney)and apply it whenever you experience eye dryness.

Cheers

[Acrowot]

Can get snooker specs from Specsavers. Or type snooker glasses into Google.
:snooker:

[Bigmeek]

Stephen Are you sure its your eyes that are affecting your long potting? When I listen to the snooker commentators on the TV they frequently mention that its the long potting part of your game that goes first. Even Stephen Hendry and Ronnies long potting isn't as good as it used to be. If glasses solved the problem then why aren't they wearing them? I'm wondering if something else goes wrong with your game as you get older? Maybe your stance and cue action has changed due to expanding waistline or a stiff back and neck. Physical things may be causing you to make minor adjustments to the way you cue. Another thing is whats in your head has changed as you get older. Concentration is more difficult I find. Confidence on the shot is also not as good.

[Bigmeek]

Can get snooker specs from Specsavers. Or type snooker glasses into Google.
:snooker:

Acrowat.Any idea of cost from Specsavers?

[Acrowot]

Hello Big meek, my mate that uses them has not had any for two or three years, but he said they were around £85 when he had his last ones. If see him around, will ask him, but he does not live in town now, so do not see him often.
As for the players that have gone off their long potting, I do not think it is to do with their eyes either. Even though you still try as hard as you did when younger, I think it is the fact that the adrenalin does not get going the same, after years and years of playing. I did notice that when Steve Davis started to go off, his cue action was changing and not as good as when he was in his prime.
I know that I used to practice just the same, but was the lack of adrenalin when in a match - have know the time when not playing well, going to the toilet and someone coming in and saying that I was playing crap, then that would get the adrenalin going and the snooker improved for the next frames in that particular match.
:snooker:

[stephen povey]

i think you are right had my eyes checked they are top notch, i think i have to train my neck and eyes, just lie my cue action!!

[Cueboy88]

I use frameless snooker specs, had them for over 2 years and they;re great.

Matt Lester
www.matthew-lester.com

[Bigmeek]

i think you are right had my eyes checked they are top notch, i think i have to train my neck and eyes, just lie my cue action!!

Stephen Welcome to the club. Just come back from a few hours practice. My neck is stiff, my back is sore, my hamstring is tight and my bridge hand wrist is aching a bit. Apart from that my eyes are fine!!!! Just had an eye test and ordered a pair of rimless bifocal snooker specs at £130. Anything I can do to improve whats in my head is worth trying. No stone unturned. Probably have to see about changing cue...........and a few lessons on my stance wouldn't go amiss. Best regards

[cazmac1]

Have you ever thought of lazer surgery. One of the guys I practice with is 67 years old and has just had his eyes done for the second time. To be honest with you it hasn't changed his game that much and to be fair he has said that he got them done just so he didn't have to bother with the hassle of glasses and he's more of a safety player than a potter anyway. But it something to think about.:snooker::snooker::snooker:

[Bigmeek]

Have you ever thought of lazer surgery. One of the guys I practice with is 67 years old and has just had his eyes done for the second time. To be honest with you it hasn't changed his game that much and to be fair he has said that he got them done just so he didn't have to bother with the hassle of glasses and he's more of a safety player than a potter anyway. But it something to think about.:snooker::snooker::snooker:

Yup, had a look at lazer a while ago but as I've only got the one good eye they wouldn't take the risk of summit going wrong. If you've got two "goodish" eyes they usually start with the worst one first and see how that goes. Complicated things eyes.