Hi Tweeters- I used to hate using scopes for this very reason! Then,
last year I did a research project on great blue herons and had to spend
almost all day every day looking at their nests through a scope. I soon
grew weary of having a headache most of the time and learned to look
through with both eyes open- a HUGE relief!

Heres a tip- many people have a dominant eye, and you should be
looking through the scope with this eye. You can find yours by
making an 'ok' sign with one hand. With your arm outstretched, look at
someone across the room through the 'o'- you will automatically use your
dominant eye, and the person you are looking at can tell you which it
is. OR, just look at something far away and slowly bring your had back,
always looking through the 'o' until your had is up to your face- you will
pull your had to your dominant eye.

In my case, one eye is MUCH stronger than the other, and I can only wink
with this eye- in other words, when I looked through the scope I was
closing my strong eye and looking with my weak eye, compounding the
strain! I'm convinced that the two-eyes-open method is the key to maximum
scope enjoyment. For years I missed out on getting truly good looks at
birds due to the discomfort and resulting impatience from using a scope.

Good luck and happy birding!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Amy J. Stabins
College of Forest Resources
University of Washington
astabins at u.washington.edu