Wearing Contact Lenses While Diving

[bonnier-admin]

I am a contact lens wearer and new to the sport. I would prefer to wear my contact lenses but the dive center where I am taking my training class has recommended against it. However, my eye doctor couldn't see why I couldn't since we wear masks. She doesn't dive or know too much about the sport. I was wondering if there was anyone out that has worn lenses while diving. If so, did they have any problems.

[bonnier-admin]

I just got certified Wednesday. I have only had the 4 open water dives required so far. I wear contacts, and a girl in my class also wears them. I had no problem what so ever. When you do a mask clearing, just close your eyes till the mask is clear. The only thing you need to do is make sure your diving buddy knows you wear contacts, so if you lose your mask, your buddy will know to retrieve it for you.

[bonnier-admin]

I've been wearing contacts since I started diving over a year ago, and haven't had any problems with them. I agree that the important thing is to keep your eyes closed while you're doing mask flooding skills during training. However, you'll have to be prepared for the fact that you're likely going to lose your contacts if you lose your mask for real while diving. (Not likely to happen, but a good reason for good buddy contact!) According to DAN, contacts should be okay but it's preferable if they're soft contacts. Gas permeable rigid lenses are less preferable, and you shouldn't wear hard lenses at all while diving because you could damage your cornea (basically eye squeeze because of the pressure differentials.) Another solution altogether is to get corrective lenses for your dive mask. Lots of manufacturers stock a range of prescription lenses for their masks, or you can also get custom masks made. The prescription lenses will add between $50-$150 to the cost of your mask, though.

[bonnier-admin]

Hi,
I think the bottom line is how bad is your vision. If you need contacts as oppossed to wear them for cosmetic reasons... I have been diving with mine for more than 20 years. Of course, mask lenses with your own prescription are better nad safer (you won't lose the contacts if you lose your mask).
One important thing is to remember to ascend A LOT slower than normal (30 f/s or less) if you don't, your cornea (fogs) and it takes sometimes hours for it to go back to normal. There was either a small article or reply to a question on the DAN "Alert Diver" mag. I would contact them for better answers if I were you. Good luck and safe diving.

[bonnier-admin]

Been diving 4 years. Have ALWAYS work my lenses in the water. Even on open water check out when you remove your mask - fine, just kept my eyes closed. You will be fine, I can clear my mask without problems - I am also extremely near-sighted. Only suggestion - I always keep rewetting drops and an extra pair of lenses in my gear bag, just in case! In between dives I sometimes take them out and rinse them, just to get the salt out so they're not irritated later. Good luck!

[bonnier-admin]

I have been wearing contact lenses for over 30 years. I am a Master Scuba Diving Instructor and wear contact lenses. I wear gas permeable because they let the eye water unlike the soft. I only use one lense under water and it worksjust the same as having two (try it) When I teach skils I just close the eye I have the contact lense in. You might try to do without the lenses for one dive depending on your eyesight. Under water objects appear closer and larger, so you might be ok.
You can buy a mask which allows you to wear contact lenses and if they come out, you can still clear your mask without losing your contact lense.
God luck and enjoy your diving.

[mrshopman]

I've been diving over two years and wearing contacts on every dive, I have never had a bad experience with them yet. I can tell you that salt water does get in your eyes on occasion and will burn maybe a bit longer with contacts, but I find I have less sensitivity because I wear them.
Randy

[jadsit]

I wore contacts diving for years before I went the Lasiks route, and I never had a problem. In fact, I never heard anyone tell me anything other than that it was OK to wear my gas permeable contacts. In a recent article in one of the dive magazines I read, they advised (as everyone here does) closing your eyes when in contact with the water, BUT they also said that in reality the contacts were more likely to adhere more closely under those conditions than to float away.

[DiverDude]

Been wearing contacts (monovision) for several years. Never had a problem, even when mask flooded, so I'd recommend highly. Used to use the little lenses you attached to the mask and they meant I had to hold my wrist computer or compass just right to read them.

[Bucdiver07]

i have never had a problem with my contacts while diving. my instructor had contacts and turned me away from special lenses for masks.