Does anyone else have this weird eye issue?

[Wardr77]

Strange thing. When I observe with my favoured eye (the right one), my left eye seems to have a complete melt down and everything becomes slightly out of focus with just that eye, even stars show a double image, the eye remains like this for about a day or so before everything goes back to normal! Quite odd; recently had an eye test and there were no issues. I have tried viewing with just the left eye to balance things up a bit but it feels so awkward! Could be sibling rivalry between the two and they just need a stern talking to, but I'm not confident that would work!  Any one else experienced this issue?

[vlaiv]

Don't want to scare you but you might need to talk to eye specialist about that one. What I think is happening is - both eyes adapt in the same manner when observing - right eye focuses on eyepiece image and the left one follows (this is something our brain does automatically). This is done by the muscles around the eye. After you stop looking thru the telescope, focus sync should continue - both eyes should focus on the same thing. For some reason (maybe something to do with eye muscles) left one is not behaving as it should. If your right eye is dominant - maybe muscles around the left eye are somehow weakened and become tired and stop performing as they should. These things can happen to people that have dominant eye - for example one eye might be "wandering". You might need to do some exercises for your eyes - ones that are recommended for computer users - focusing on close object then on far away object to strengthen eye muscles. But please consult the eye specialist - and assume I have no clue what I'm talking about (I would not want to give you bad advice in any way).

[LukeSkywatcher]

When you observe with your right eye,is your left eye open of squeezed shut tightly or just closed and relaxed?. You could try wearing an eye patch over the left eye. That way it remains open and relaxed and you are focusing (in theory) at the same object and distance with both eyes while only using one of them to see. I'm guessing you are new to observing?. Your eyes are working differently to how they usually work. It should settle down.

Vlaiv has some good points about the muscles around the eye. They are working in a way that is not as normal as just "looking" with them in everyday life.

[faulksy]

thought it was something like you had 1 eye in the centre of your forehead

[Knighty2112]

I used to always use my right eye to observe through any telescope eyepiece. However, in the last 4 years or so I have switched to using my left eye for observing as the views with my right eye were not as good anymore (slightly out of focus). Took a while to get used to it, but now it is odd if I try to use my right eye again at all. My right eye shows any image through my eyepiece as slightly brighter than my left eye, but other than that my left eye now has a sharper vision. 

[Wardr77]

Thanks for the replies, as I say I did have an eye test and nothing untoward was identified, but perhaps this sort of thing is not easily picked up via a standard eyetest. I do shut my left eye and after a few hours of observation it does noticeably ache, whereas the right is fine, I did think about an eyepatch so both eyes are left open, so I will probably pursue this as a first course of action and see what comes from that. Maybe a binoviewer is another option but two 30mm 82eg ES's maybe a bit much

[LukeSkywatcher]

You should also take breaks while observing. A 5 min break every 20 mins should do. 

[Roy Challen]

I don't know if I have this issue with astronomy (it's dark, usually!), but I definitely had it with target shooting. The effect was quite strong for about 15-20 mins after finishing a session, I overcame it with a cheap pair of sunglasses- pushed the right lens out and covered the left with tape - so I might start using them while observing too.

I asked my optician about this and he said it was to be expected but nothing to concern myself with. He also said my eyesight is exceptional at a recent eye test.

[StuartJPP]

Sometimes when I am doing a lot of daytime macro photography and I close my unused eye I get something similar to what you are describing...you need keep the unused eye open and unstrained. It is difficult with macro as things can be much brighter in the eye you don't use than the eye viewing the subject through the viewfinder, especially at high magnification.

After a day or two my other eye will be back to normal if I haven't been doing it "properly"...each time I go out I try to do it right, but sometimes you just have to close your other eye due to distractions...

The older you get the more pronounced it will become as the eye muscles weaken and the lens isn't as pliable as when you were younger...well that is what I was told.

[Wardr77]

Yes age has a lot to answer for that's for sure! Well I've just ordered an eyepatch that should allow me to keep my left eye open when observing so I'll see how that works.

Debating whether to go out tonight or not and risk another bout of 'dodgy eye'; the impending full moon is helping to persuade me not to at the moment... but difficult to resist when there's such a beautifully clear sky out there...

[Dave Lloyd]

Arrrrr Jim lad.

[barkis]

Pieces of Eight,, Pieces of Eight !!  Beware of the Black Spot...

[jnb]

11 minutes ago, barkis said:

Pieces of Eight,, Pieces of Eight !!  Beware of the Black Spot...

Pieces of seven, pieces of seven

Sorry about that I think my computer has a parroty error

 

[LukeSkywatcher]

"I don't know if I have this issue with astronomy (it's dark, usually!), but I definitely had it with target shooting".

Now you mention it, back in the day when i was big into archery i also had this issue when shooting. It eased over time but in the beginning when i was shooting with one eye closed and focusing the other eye through the cross hair. So much like archery or rifle shooting, it is a simple case of eye muscle strain. It does happen when you are new to using telescopes.

[Tim]

There was something like this in the news the other day, two girls thought they were going blind in one eye. The problem was lying in bed viewing their phone with one eye!

[brantuk]

Sounds weird - pop to your GP and get a referal to the local hospital eye clinic where they will do a full eye examination. It may be something simple to treat/fix, but you want to be sure it's nothing more serious. Can't afford to take chances with your eyes.

[Charic]

I have an eye patch and it does get used during the longer sessions. Just make sure the patch is well shaped, allowing your eyelid to blink without your eyelashes touching the patch? my first patch suffered from this, and so annoying, but a better shaped one, one with more depth, works a treat, and does relax the eye.
See! (excuse the pun!) even eye patches can cause problems?
If your still having an issue, seek further medical advice!

[BGazing]

the thread reminded me that the only thing not offered by the scope dealers are the eye patches. once they do offer it, i suppose a parrot will be a 'recommended accessory'...

on topic...everyone can have a day when the eyes are extra tired and unwieldy, especially after turning 40. a persistent difference in performance is worth monitoring.