Best Pistol & Rifle Optics for Shooters with Astigmatism

Have you ever looked through a red dot and seen what looks like a blurry star?

If so, you might have astigmatism (either that, or the brightness is just turned up too high but that's an easy fix).

If you have astigmatism, then you know how difficult it is to find an optic that you can actually shoot with.

Luckily, you've got us, and we're here to help. Leveraging our expertise, we've rounded up the best optics for people with astigmatism.

Let's take a (clear) look!

Optics for Astigmatism Comparison Chart

How We Chose the Best Optics for People with Astigmatism

Input for this article came from the editorial staff and freelance writers at Pew Pew Tactical, a couple of whom suffer from astigmatism.

We have hands-on experience with each model on the list, ranging from full reviews to recreational use to hunting and field use.

Models on this list were selected based on features, price, value, durability, reticle usability, and user-friendliness.

Best Optics for People with Astigmatism

1. EOTech EXPS3-2 - Best Holographic Sight

Best Holographic Sight

EOTECH EXPS3 HWS

$678

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

$678 at OpticsPlanet

Battlehawk Armory (see price)

Midway USA (see price)

Specs

• Sight Type: Holographic
• Magnification: 1x
• Reticle: 68-MOA outer ring, two 1-MOA dots
• Illumination Color: Red
• Brightness Settings: 20 daylight, 10 night vision
• Weight: 11 oz
• Battery Life: 1,000 hrs

EOTech makes the best unmagnified optics for people with astigmatism, and the EOTech EXPS3-2 is our favorite.

Decades ago, they came up with their original reticle featuring a 68 MOA ring and a single MOA dot in the center. This one has an updated reticle with the same 68 MOA ring and two dots instead of one.

Those separate aiming points give you holds for 50-200 yards and 500 yards. The bottom of the ring is good for close engagements -- EOTech calls it a 7-yard hold.

This clever, uncluttered reticle allows for range estimation as well. At 100 yards, an average man will fill the outer ring from top to bottom. When he reaches from the bottom to the center dot, then he’s 200 yards away.

Elite military and law enforcement units often choose EOTech optics for a reason. They're accurate and reliable, compatible with night vision optics, and seem to thrive on abuse.

It’s one of the toughest optics on the market and works wonders for people with astigmatism.

2. Vortex AMG UH-1 Gen II - Best Value Holographic Sight

Best Value Holographic Sight

Vortex AMG UH-1 Gen II

$546

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

$546 at OpticsPlanet

Amazon (see price)

AR15 Discounts (see price)

Primary Arms (see price)

Specs

• Sight Type: Holographic
• Magnification: 1x
• Reticle: EBR-CQB
• Illumination Color: Red
• Brightness Settings: 15 daylight, 8 night vision
• Weight: 12 oz
• Battery Life: 1,500 hrs

Following up the EOTech is the Vortex AMG UH-1 Gen II -- one of the few other true holographic optics on the market.

A segmented cirle reticle works well for people with astigmatism and provides a clear, easy-to-see, close-quarters reticle. While large, the segmented design ensures your field of vision is not overly crowded.

In the center, a 1-MOA red dot makes precision shots easy. Like the EOTech, a second hold at the bottom of the reticle works well for close-quarters shots.

Rear-placed ambidextrous controls make navigating your brightness levels easy.

The AMG UH-1 Gen II features eight night vision settings and 15 daylight brightness settings. One unique feature is a button to switch instantly between daylight and night vision brightness levels, so you don't have to frantically tap up or down to the one you need.

With an IPX-8 waterproof rating, water and impacts are no concern. It might be named after a helicopter, but this optic is built more like a tank.

This is, without a doubt, a pro-grade optic that capitalizes on the durability and versatility of holographic optics.

Plus it looks cool, and that's is half the battle.

3. Primary Arms SLx MicroPrism - Best Prism Sight

Best Prism Sight

Primary Arms SLx MicroPrism

$349

at Primary Arms

Prices accurate at time of writing

$349 at Primary Arms

Amazon (see price)

Specs

• Sight Type: Prism
• Magnification: 1x, 3x, 5x
• Reticle: ACSS Cyclops, ACSS Raptor, ACSS Griffin, ACSS Aurora, ACSS Gemini
• Illumination Color: Red, green
• Brightness Settings: 13 daylight, 3 night vision
• Weight: 8 - 9 oz
• Battery Life: 25,000 - 50,000 hrs

Primary Arms knocks prism optics out of the park. The Primary Arms SLx MicroPrism is affordable, capable, and we love the reticle options.

The MicroPrism is roughly the same size as a small red dot optic, and comes in your choice of 1x, 3x, and 5x magnification. Being able to squeeze 3x and 5x magnification into an optic this small is impressive.

Reticle options include bullet drop compensators for several popular carbine cartridges with the ACSS Raptor or ACSS Griffin designs. The 5x model uses the ACSS Aurora reticle, and the 9mm ACSS Cyclops reticle is also available in the 1x models.

The glass quality and clarity on these scopes are superb and the illumination is daylight-bright.

The combination of size, quality, and value makes these prism optics tough to beat.

4. Swampfox Blade - Best Budget

Best Budget

Swampfox Blade 1×25

$205

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$205 at Amazon

BattleHawk Armory (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs

• Sight Type: Prism
• Magnification: 1x
• Reticle: Bullet Rise Compensating
• Illumination Color: Red, green, amber
• Brightness Settings: 10 daylight, 2 night vision
• Weight: 13 oz
• Battery Life: 3,000 hrs

If you don’t want to deal with a red dot but want a close-range capable optic, then the Swampfox Blade is for you.

Not only does this optic replace a red dot, but it’s better in some ways.

Swampfox calls this reticle the Bullet Rise Compensating reticle, but it works just like any other BDC reticle, including several on this list. It has holds for 5, 10, 15, and 50/200 yards.

The Blade also sports auto-on technology, meaning no button presses are needed for the illumination to kick on. Just pick the gun up and it's on.

A budget-friendly price tag is tacked onto the optic, and it’s robust for the money.

It can withstand 800Gs of vibration and submerge up to a meter for 30 minutes. It is plenty tough for home defense and range days.

5. Holosun 510C - Editor's Pick

Editor's Pick

Holosun HS510C

$309

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$309 at Amazon

Midway USA (see price)

OpticsPlanet (see price)

Specs

• Sight Type: Reflex
• Magnification: 1x
• Reticle: 65-MOA outer circle, 2-MOA dot
• Illumination Color: Red, green
• Brightness Settings: 10 daylight, 2 night vision
• Weight: 5 oz
• Battery Life: 20,000 - 50,000 hrs

If you want a more budget-friendly option than the above two, the Holosun 510C might be for you.

This is not a holographic optic but a red dot featuring Holosun’s multi-reticle system. The reticles include a 2 MOA dot, a 65 MOA circle, and a combination of the circle and dot. Nevertheless, it's so crisp that we figured we'd include it as a wild card.

These big reticles are perfect for people with astigmatism. You can opt for red or green illumination, and choice is always great for those who have trouble seeing illuminated sights.

The 65-MOA ring might be a little smaller than the EOTech, but it works for the same range-finding purpose.

Holosun packs the 510C full of features, including a solar panel for battery backup. Even if the battery fails or you reach the crazy 50,000 hours of battery life, the sun has your back indefinitely.

Check any forum and you will see how many people claim that Holosun makes some of the most ultra-crisp reticles. One of our editors has three Holosun 510Cs just because of how well they work with his astigmatism.

Plus, the optic adopts a Titanium construction for increased durability. It can withstand submersion in up to a meter of water and vibration up to 1,000Gs. This is a tough optic, especially when you consider the price.

Have you tried the Holosun 510C? Rate it below!

6. Vortex Defender-ST - Best Pistol Optic

Best Pistol Optic

Vortex Defender-ST

$299

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$299 at Amazon

Battlehawk Armory (see price)

Brownells (see price)

MidwayUSA (see price)

Specs

• Sight Type: Reflex
• Magnification: 1x
• Reticle: 3-MOA red dot, 6-MOA red dot, 3-MOA green dot
• Illumination Color: Red, green
• Brightness Settings: 10 daylight, 2 night vision
• Weight: 2 oz
• Battery Life: 25,000 hrs

The Vortex Defender-ST (and the whole Defender line, really) is quickly becoming one of our the Pew Pew Tactical team's favorite pistol optics, whether we have astigmatism or not.

It has one of the most crisp dots in the business and incredibly clear, undistorted glass. Optically, it's excellent.

The Defender-ST has also held up well for us in terms of durability. Bumps, scrapes, and even the occasional drop haven't shifted zero or broken a window yet.

You also have a few options when it comes to the reticle. Take your pick from a 3-MOA red dot, 6-MOA red dot, or 3-MOA green dot. Not everyone with astigmatism has the same color preference, so it's nice to have options.

You can also choose between black and tan housings, if that's a factor for you.

If the Defender-ST is a little large for your carry gun, size down to the Defender-CCW. If you have a big, fast competition pistol or want a great optic on a tactical shotgun or AR-15 offset mount, size up to the Defender-XL.

7. Primary Arms SLx Gen IV ACCS Nova - Best LPVO

Best LPVO

Primary Arms SLx 1-6×24 Gen IV

$348

at Primary Arms

Prices accurate at time of writing

$348 at Primary Arms

Amazon (see price)

MidwayUSA (see price)

Specs

• Sight Type: LPVO
• Magnification: 1-6x
• Reticle: ACSS Nova
• Illumination Color: Red
• Brightness Settings: 11 daylight
• Focal Plane: Second focal plane
• Weight: 18 oz
• Battery Life: 500 hrs

Since nearly all traditional riflescopes are suitable for use by those suffering from astigmatism, this section could go on forever. However, we decided to pick a single optic for this category to keep things slim and trim: the Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24 Gen IV.

As mentioned before, Primary Arms is known for their crossover between quality and value. Like their prism scopes, their LPVOs feature their sweet ACSS reticles.

Their SLx 1-6x Gen IV scope boasts great light transmission, with the middle portion of the glass producing a sharp image.

The big draw here is the ACSS Nova reticle, which is laid out well and easy to use. This newer Nova reticle is extremely bright at the highest setting and has no issue cutting through even the harshest Texas high-noon sun.

Having illumination this good, combined with a solid reticle, can be beneficial. Scopes with poor illumination sometimes leave you in a position where the first 6 or so settings do nothing or only the highest setting is useable and is too harsh.

But with this LPVO, under normal lighting conditions, you can adjust the brightness to just the right level to where the illumination bloom is minimized.

A competitive price, daylight bright illumination, and quality glass make the Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24 Gen IV a serious contender for those with astigmatism who are looking for a well-priced and flexible optic.

Hungry for more? Check out our full Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24mm Nova review!

Ho to Pick there Best Optics for Astigmatism

What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a type of refractive error that impacts the eye’s ability to focus light. Basically, people with astigmatism do not focus light evenly on the retina.

That’s what WebMD says, anyway. We’re not doctors.

Where astigmatism can get tricky for gun owners is in the world of red dot optics. The reflection of an LED on glass ends up looking a lot like traffic lights through your windshield at night -- not exactly a precise aiming reference.

Holographic Sights

Holographic sights are famously one of the better options for those plagued with astigmatism. This is due to their reticle design, which typically uses a larger circle surrounding a smaller dot.

While they may appear somewhat blurry if you focus solely on the reticle, focus past the reticle and onto the target, and it will clear right up.

Prism Sights

Prism optics feature fixed magnification using a prism instead of two objective and ocular lenses.

These optics used reticles that are etched directly onto the glass, instead of projections. The etched reticle plus the fixed magnification make prism optics the best optics for those suffering from astigmatism.

Low-Power Variable Optics

Low-powered variable optics are, without a doubt, the most versatile optics on the market.

Sure, they are bigger and heavier compared to a reflex sight, holographic sight, or prism optic, but they can provide you with adjustable magnification on the fly.

Meet the Experts

This article comes to you from Pew Pew Tactical author Travis Pike. Travis spent a lifetime shooting as a kid and later joined the United States Marine Corps, where he spent five years as an infantryman. His experience as a machinegunner, recreational and competitive shooter, and hunter has given him unique insight into various weapon platforms. Additionally, Travis has thousands of articles to his name with a variety of publications, and has tested countless guns and other firearm accessories.

Editing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.

Final Thoughts

Everyone's eyes work a little differently, but we can all get great optics that maximize our shooting experience.

Hopefully, our suggestions help you find something that works for you.

Remember, there’s no such thing as a perfect do-it-all optic, but we're lucky enough to have an industry that offers a huge range of options for every task.

If you have astigmatism and some optics suggestions, drop them in the comments below! Ready for more optics? Check out our articles on the Best Red Dots and Best Scopes & Optics.

Latest Updates

• August 2025: Removed the Holosun 507C. Added the Vortex Defender-ST. Added a comparison chart, Meet the Experts section, and supporting content.
• June 10, 2024: Removed the Lucid P7, Trijicon Accupoint TR24R, Vortex Razor HD Gen III 1-10, Trijicon ACOG TA31F, and Primary Arms SLx Gen III 1-6x. Added the Primary Arms Gen IV ACSS Nova 1-6x and Primary Arms Gen II MircoPrism. Added supplemental data and media for each product. Added information on how we chose the optics on this list.