In this article, we aim to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of wearing your eye glasses while out bird watching. In these situations, you are probably looking to use a spotting scope or binoculars to view birds at closer range than just your spectacles or the naked eye.
It seems clear that it will suit you to wear spectacles while making your way to the bird watching site and during your initial search for a bird. But what is less apparent is whether to wear eye glasses when viewing through an optical device such as binoculars.
The answer depends on why you wear glasses
The main answer to the question of whether or not you need to wear glasses when you are viewing through optics depends on the reason why you wear the corrective eye gear. This reason will be particular to your individual circumstances.
It is possible to use binoculars comfortably and with no compromise in image quality if you normally wear glasses. In many cases you can use the binoculars or spotting scope freely while still wearing your glasses. But in some cases, you may not actually need to.
For specific guidelines what to do in each of these situations, and for information on different eye conditions, please see this article:
Astigmatism, near or far sight – using binoculars with eye conditions
Can I use binoculars without glasses?
It is possible to use binoculars without needing to wear your usual glasses, depending on your specific visual condition.
If you wear glasses for nearsightedness or for farsightedness, provided your condition is not severe, you can remove your glasses to look through binoculars. In this case, it’s best to ensure that your binoculars are totally tailored to your individual vision.
The focusing mechanism will enable you to adjust the optics as you require. You can also use the diopter adjustment. For more information on setting up the diopter, please visit the link below.
Adjusting new binoculars: how to set up and focus binoculars for bird watching
Should I take off my glasses when using binoculars?
It is a matter of personal preference. Some people may find that it is less convenient to remove their glasses to look through binoculars.
In the time it takes to take them off, and to find somewhere safe to put them, the bird might have moved on elsewhere! For many bird watchers, having to remove and replace eyeglasses every time would cost too much time and effort.
Securing the glasses around your neck with a safety cord is one solution. Though this doesn’t solve the potential inconvenience of removing your glasses and losing sight of your target.
Finding the easiest option
The safety cord can also get tangled with the neck strap or harness of your binoculars, if you are using one. One way to avoid this potential tangle is to mount the binoculars onto a tripod.
Using binoculars in combination with mounting apparatus, such as a tripod, monopod or window mount also significantly reduces the possibility of image shake. Consequently, you will enjoy a much more steady and clear view of your target.
Wear glasses to find a bird first before close-up
Another consideration is that you may need to be wearing your spectacles to scan the landscape to actually spot the bird in the first place. After doing this you would then use your binoculars to hone in for a closer view.
This probably depends on whether you are near sighted or far sighted, and how accustomed to or reliant you are on your glasses in everyday life.
It may be easier just to wear your glasses while using your binoculars. This is especially true if you are on the move and need to look carefully where you are going!
In summary: should you use glasses with binoculars?
If you normally wear glasses then it is normal to wear them while using binoculars. If this is what you find most convenient then it should suit you. Wearing glasses while using a pair of binoculars is just fine, as long as they have adequate eye relief.
The most important thing to take into consideration when working out which binoculars to use with glasses is the eye relief. Because this is such a crucial measurement for people who use optics while wearing glasses, we have dedicated a whole article to the topic here: All about eye relief: choosing binoculars and spotting scopes for glasses wearers
Now that you have weighed up both sides of the decision whether or not to use binoculars with eyeglasses, you might be ready to look into which optical device will be more suitable for you.
We also offer reviews of some of the top models that are recommended for glasses wearers. Feel free to read here about The best birding spotting scopes for eyeglasses wearers
Additionally, these articles may offer you some guidance as to which binoculars might make it onto your shopping list. This is our overall round-up of the best binoculars for birding when you wear glasses. If you are interested in some bird watching over longer distances, then these choices of 10x binoculars suitable for use with glasses may help you.