Trap Talk From The Back Fence

Episode 165: How to Improve Your Vision for Trapshooting

Guest: Dr. Laura W. Winkel, OD
Hosts: Zach Nannini & Richard “Ricky” Marshall Jr.
Date: February 27, 2026

Overview

This episode dives deep into the critical role of vision in trapshooting with Dr. Laura Winkel—a renowned optometrist and 21-time ATA All-American, who brings both a top competitor’s and a doctor’s perspective. The hosts explore Laura’s journey as a lifer in trapshooting, the dynamics of vision and eye health for shooters, practical tips for maintaining sharp eyesight, gear setup, color selection for lenses, and address eye issues like dryness, floaters, eye dominance, and the pros and cons of vision correction surgeries for competitive shooters.

1. Laura Winkel: Trapshooting Champion & Eye Specialist

Timestamps: 01:32–05:35

• Introduced as a dominant figure in northwest trapshooting since 1975, with 21 All-American titles, multiple championships, and as a highly recommended optometrist.
• Early start: Began trapshooting at age 10 at Spokane Gun Club, inspired by her father.
• On staying passionate: “First time I went out and shot, I got a one and I know that when I hit it, I jumped up and turned around…and just grinned because I was so happy that I got the one.” – Laura, [04:00]

2. The Evolution of Trapshooting in the Northwest

Timestamps: 05:07–09:01

• Discussed the decline of big club shoots and the importance of supporting smaller, local events.
• Laura travels beyond Washington for larger shoots to get All-American points as big events have become fewer in the Northwest.
• Importance of state fees from small shoots to bankroll larger state championships.

3. Laura's Shooting Style, Technique, and Equipment

Timestamps: 10:27–23:08

Shooting Style:

• Shoots two-eyed, holding midway between the trap exit and the apex (“kill zone”).
• Eye focus: “I like to have my eyes out where I want them to be and then I bring the gun up to my eyes or my eye, and I like to keep my gun still, call for the bird when I see it, then move on it.” – Laura, [10:58]
• Hold point is higher for singles, lower for handicap.
• Adjusts to target height and club differences; uses peripheral vision to anticipate departure angles.

Gun Setup:

• Shoots a traditional K80UN single with a ProSoft stock (fitted by Phil Sims), 32” single barrel and 30” over-under.
• Points of impact: Unsingle set to 80/20, over-under’s lower barrel shoots flatter than preferred.
• Importance of custom stocks for comfort and consistency.

Memorable moment:

• “I should have got [the ProSoft stock] sooner than I did. …and I said no, I’m doing okay. But then I got on that. Wow, he was right.” – Laura, [17:46]

4. Vision & Eye Health: Foundational Habits for Shooters

Timestamps: 26:55–36:57

Core Recommendations:

• Regular eye exams: “Always get your eyes checked on a regular basis. Don’t think that what you have is good enough…I see better if I wear [my glasses] for shooting.” – Laura, [26:55]
• Get checked every 1–2 years or more frequently if competing/aging.
• Testing far vision in real-world settings (not just dark, simulated exam rooms).
• If your vision fluctuates between eyes open one/both, realize prescription may change—both eyes working together back off on the script.

On prescriptions for shooters:

• “In the exam room, simulated distance is not the same as looking out into real space...I put the lenses into what's called a trial frame and have them actually look...at the distance that they want to see.” – Laura, [29:20]

Vision Acuity:

• Start at 20/20 and offer 20/15/20/10 lines if client can handle it, aiming for the highest usable clarity.

5. Eye Drops, Dryness, and Vitamins

Timestamps: 31:45–39:48

• Dry eyes can blur vision or make eyes tear excessively (“like looking through a waterfall”—Laura, [38:02]).
• Prevent dryness by carrying quality drops and applying between rounds; don’t wait for discomfort.
• Recommends preservative-free drops like TheraTears and Ivizia (check for “less thickening”).
• Diet for eye health: High in antioxidants (dark leafy greens, blueberries, variety of colored fruits/veg), walnuts, omega-3 (nuts, wild salmon).
  • “Eat half a cup of blueberries every day. Stay hydrated.” – Laura, [32:29]

6. Lens Color & Eye Comfort

Timestamps: 33:58–37:23

• Lens color is a personal choice; must try in real-life lighting with manufacturer samples.
• Recent favorites: V-light (vermilion + purple), polarized when possible.
• “If you can find somebody that's a vendor at a shoot and actually go look at their samples, that's going to be your best bet.” – Laura, [37:08]

On lens fatigue:

• Darker lenses (e.g., bronze) can reduce end-of-day eye tiredness.

7. Common Eye Issues: Floaters, Blood, and Surgical Concerns

Timestamps: 44:17–50:23

Floaters:

• Floaters are not dangerous but can distract; try to “look past” them and focus further out.
• Surgery rarely the first option, especially in young shooters—let healing occur naturally.

Severe Cases Example:

• Discussion of Cooper Freston’s eye injury (BB in eye, ongoing blood/vision issues).
• Eye injuries may heal with time, often leaving a scar; modern surgery interventions are case-dependent.

8. Eye Dominance, Training, and Exercises

Timestamps: 50:37–57:32

Dominance:

• Cross-dominance can be caused by decreased clarity in the dominant eye—always get eyes checked if issues arise.
• Young and flexible vision systems may benefit from vision therapy; “bead rope” and Marsden ball as basic eye training tools.
• For indoor/DIY eye exercise: Use a tennis ball on a string (“Marsden Ball”), mark with letters, and follow specific marks close/far, side-to-side.
• Peripheral vision drills: Pick a distant marker while driving and track it as it passes (exercising focus and tracking skill).

9. Lifestyle and Eye Health: Digital Screens, Blue Light Filters, and Sleep

Timestamps: 58:05–60:16

• Prolonged device use and blue light can harm eyes and disrupt sleep (melatonin production).
• Enable blue light filters (Night Shift on iPhones, Comfort View on Androids) and use glasses if needed.
• “It’s good for everybody to actually not be on your device…two hours before you go to bed.” – Laura, [59:13]

10. Surgical Interventions: Lasik & Lens Replacement Considerations

Timestamps: 61:32–65:37

• Lasik works best for nearsightedness; benefits diminish with age and specific issues.
• RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange) and new intraocular lenses offer more range in focus but may introduce vision “zones” (less ideal for shooters needing fine clarity).
• Consult closely with your eye care professional and weigh lifestyle pros/cons versus shooting needs.
• “I am on the fence about what it would do for athletes…could allow a person to be more comfortable with their daily activities. But…I’m on the fence about what it would do for…shooting sports.” – Laura, [63:18]

11. Eye Focus: Where Should You Look?

Timestamps: 66:12–69:38

• No universal answer; different shooters’ eyes work differently.
• Laura and Ricky prefer a “soft focus” (not hard-fixing far away nor right on the bead; use peripheral vision in ‘the zone’).
• Experiment and find what helps acquire and track targets fastest for you.

12. Parting Wisdom

Timestamps: 69:38–70:26

• Prioritize eye health through diet, regular exams, hydration, and smart choices on equipment and lens color.
• “Your eyes are part of your body. If you want your body healthy, you’ve got to do the right things, and it carries over into the eyes too.” – Laura, [53:32]
• Gratitude expressed to Laura’s parents, husband, stock fitter Phil Sims, mentor Bob Palmer, and “shooters [who] are my family.” [69:56]
• Resources: Book by Bob Palmer (“Teaching Youth”) discussed as a future recommendation.

Memorable Quotes

• “Trapshooting was huge, huge, huge…20, 30 years ago in that part of the country. How’s that shift been for you?” – Zach, [04:48]
• “If you put the gun up right every time…I always ask them, are [the beads] always lined up when you look? …Well, they probably always are.” – Laura, [13:48]
• “The dryness can actually cause the eyes to want to tear, so you get extra tears being produced. So you’re like looking through a waterfall.” – Laura, [38:02]
• “Eat half a cup of blueberries every day. Stay hydrated.” – Laura, [32:29]
• “If it’s something that comes on…get your eyes checked.” – Laura, [52:57]
• “LASIK is a good procedure, but it works best for people who are nearsighted…But I’m on the fence about what it would do for athletes and how good you want your vision to be, particularly for a shooting sport.” – Laura, [61:32/63:18]

Practical Tips from Dr. Laura

• Get regular comprehensive eye exams—even if you think you “see fine.”
• Try prescription lenses for shooting—even if you don’t need them for driving.
• Carry and use quality eye drops (preservative-free) between rounds to avoid blurring from dry eyes.
• Prioritize antioxidants and hydration—especially blueberries and dark leafy greens.
• Test lens colors in real-world conditions to find what calms your eyes and boosts contrast.
• For floaters: Look past them, don’t panic—they’re usually harmless.
• If you’re cross-dominant or seeing barrel unexpectedly—get checked for prescription changes.
• Exercises: Use DIY Marsden ball or even a ceiling fan or distant reflector to challenge and strengthen your tracking and peripheral focus.
• Enable blue light filters on digital devices, especially evenings.
• Surgical correction? Consult an eye care professional familiar with shooting sports.

Notable Moments

• “If you wait till [the eyes are] really dry and then you put a drop in there, you just need a whole lot more drops than you do if you just prevent it from happening at all.” – Laura, [32:45]
• Ricky on lens tinting: “I used to tint my own lenses back in the day…It was the coolest thing ever.” [35:13]
• “Gratitude…to my parents…husband…Phil Sims…Bob Palmer…shooters are my family.” – Laura, [69:56]

For all shooters—young or experienced—eye health is a controllable factor on your journey to more Xs on the scorecard. A little attention to vision, gear, and nutrition can go a long way.

Summary by Trap Talk Podcast Summarizer