Wearing glasses - a disadvantage?

[Deepscrew]

One of the reasons i stopped playing was that i needed glasses and couldnt see haklf way down the table without them. Couldnt play wearing glasses unless they were 'dennis taylors' and as such, didnt play.

I now wear continuous wear lenses (put them in, take them out a month later) and am revitalised! Brilliant inventions.

[davipp]

Have been wearing snooker glasses since January 2011 and already my eyes have deteriorated (cataracts) to the point my glasses are useless. Great glasses though, I obtained them through Snooker Specs in Wales and cheap as ($160 posted) compared to Aussie prices ($500).
I am having the lenses in my eyes removed and having artificial ones inserted, I'm told by eye specialist I will not need distance glasses again. I'll be able to see 22 balls instead of 66.

[damienlch]

...I'll be able to see 22 balls instead of 66.

Lol... less balls to pot then... good luck with the lens replacement!!

[davipp]

As an "experienced" spectacle wearer (normal type) of some 50+years I don't feel personally at a disadvantage because there is no alternative for me, envy,yes sort of for the non spectacle players, should I have been able, prescription wise to wear contacts then I would no doubt think differently, just glad I can play in my everyday spec's rather than DT's type snooker spec's.

My snooker specs are the DT type and as funny as they may look it does not worry me to wear them as long as I can still play.

[Neil Taperell]

I've commented on this on other threads .

I've tried a vast amount of different glasses but can't seem to find a pair suitable . Even had a bespoke pair made a great expense and time , but could not get the vision line correct .
Then after 20 years i tried contact lenses .......one eye was perfect but the other eye was not suitable for the lense .

So i'm back wearing oversized glasses again .

For me i believe that it has been a disadvantage , i'm not a good player but know how to play the game [ Sometimes ! ] and feel with better vision i could have been a better player .
I also find that different lights affect my vision as well .
Would really like to find a pair of suitable glasses but have now probably resigned myself to the fact that i won't .

[rongreen]

My snooker specs are the DT type and as funny as they may look it does not worry me to wear them as long as I can still play.

No offence meant bud, just can't understand why they have such large lenses, my spec's are normal size and no probs when playing, maybe my head to cue angle is suitable for where they sit on my nose.

[ken147]

I've commented on this on other threads .

I've tried a vast amount of different glasses but can't seem to find a pair suitable . Even had a bespoke pair made a great expense and time , but could not get the vision line correct .
Then after 20 years i tried contact lenses .......one eye was perfect but the other eye was not suitable for the lense .

So i'm back wearing oversized glasses again .

For me i believe that it has been a disadvantage , i'm not a good player but know how to play the game [ Sometimes ! ] and feel with better vision i could have been a better player .
I also find that different lights affect my vision as well .
Would really like to find a pair of suitable glasses but have now probably resigned myself to the fact that i won't .

Hi Neil,

Have you thought about trying contact lens again. In the last 10 years or so the technology has improved dramatically and has allowed thinner, more accurate, more breathable (oxygen) and longer wearing contact lenses. I myself use CIBA VISION AIR OPTIX AQUA a soft lens which can be worn for up to 16 hours. You can also get them in the astigmatism version too.

I went to Specsavers and they gave me a free pair to try out (but you might need a contact lens eye test).


Ken

[Neil Taperell]

[QUOTE=ken147;598697]Hi Neil,

Have you thought about trying contact lens again. In the last 10 years or so the technology has improved dramatically and has allowed thinner, more accurate, more breathable (oxygen) and longer wearing contact lenses. I myself use CIBA VISION AIR OPTIX AQUA a soft lens which can be worn for up to 16 hours. You can also get them in the astigmatism version too.

I went to Specsavers and they gave me a free pair to try out (but you might need a contact lens eye test).

Thanks for the reply Ken . I tried contacts last year . I Used Dolland and Aitchinson .

I will give specsavers a try .

Thanks very much

[sootyvrs]

Tried playing with Contact Lenses in today after playing with glasses (short sighted) and noticed how the balls seemed larger.

This in effect caused me to misjudge pots a touch as it seems as if it might take some getting used to.

Have a match tonight so will revert to my specs. Will definitely try them again when practising.

[Bigmeek]

Tried playing with Contact Lenses in today after playing with glasses (short sighted) and noticed how the balls seemed larger.
This in effect caused me to misjudge pots a touch as it seems as if it might take some getting used to.
Have a match tonight so will revert to my specs. Will definitely try them again when practising.

Certainly don't want the balls to be bigger unless the pockets are bigger as well. lol. Could do with lenses that make the balls smaller!
Seriously. Worth experimenting with different types of contact lenses. If your prescription is just for myopia (short-sighted) then you should be able to get a lense that suits. Problems arise when you're trying to correct a number of different sight problems. Good luck.

[davipp]

No offence taken. The lenses need to be large so when you are down on the shot with chin on cue you are not looking at the top of the frame. I have tried playing with my normal glasses but cannot avoid looking at the frame.

[Bigmeek]

No offence taken. The lenses need to be large so when you are down on the shot with chin on cue you are not looking at the top of the frame. I have tried playing with my normal glasses but cannot avoid looking at the frame.

Size of frame is also important. Really need to be about 56mm from top to bottom. Also important to be rimless. I saw a pair on the internet that had a frame and thought the top would just get in the way of vision. I have tried to play with my normal frames and occasionally do but find that I end up with a stiff neck caused by trying to adjust to get the correct line of sight. I suppose it might be possible to sight through normal glasses but I can't help thinking there would be a compromise somewhere along the way.

[Gdad14]

Glasses IS NOT A DISADVANTAGE !!!!!! I believe it makes you more accurate!!

As a snooker player, one off my best talents is long pots, yet i cant see the computer screen if i take my glasses off. So i disagree with your comment on it being a disadvantage, while being coached i was told a technique that allows me to basically pot blind. Good for trick shoots but even better for break building, within 6months of practising this technique i have jumped from 30 break's to 60's on full size tables, and from 30's to 80's on 3/4 size tables. This technique is all based on your stance and cueing technique as if you are in place and lined up as you go down in to the shot, then if you cue straight and hold your stance, you will pot that ball, or you are going really close! And this technique doesn't fail! So it isn't a disadvantaging its just a difference in technique, and in my eyes, a more accurate technique. As this technique tends to make you use 4 or 5 different potting technique in the same shot, which is in a sense 4 times more accurate than most players. I mean if it was a disadvantage, i wouldnt be able to knock in a 50's and 60's from the break on a fullsize from one long red, and that is just with 6months coaching!

[davipp]

Gdad14 I would certainly like to learn that technique to improve my potting.
I wear glasses for snooker and definitely do not find them a disadvantage because I can see the balls.

[Gdad14]

Gdad14 I would certainly like to learn that technique to improve my potting.
I wear glasses for snooker and definitely do not find them a disadvantage because I can see the balls.

Hi Davipp, it would be good if you could describe you potting technique that you use now and I will then develop how I explain it from there
Thanks