Contacts or prescriptive mask?

Hi Ty.

I just started wearing glasses and was wondering how most divers deal with ensuring good vision underwater? Do most wear contacts or actaully get their mask done-up with prescriptive lens? What's your recommendation?

Thank, Chris :shock:

Hi Chris. I wear one contact lens when I dive. I'm shortsighted but if I wear a prescription lens mask or both contacts, I can't read my computer!
Takes 10 minutes to adjust my vision but after that it's fine and I can comfortably see distance and close range. Hope helpful. David

It's really a matter of preference. I know many people who dive a lot -- including David Doubilet -- who wear presrciption masks. Personally, I'm so nearsighted that I pretty much have to wear contacts; otherwise, I'm blind once I take my mask off on the boat. I currently wear one contact (my left) optimized for reading guages and one optimized for distance vision. And now that it's possible to dive just a week or two after surgery I am strongly considering Lasik.

Tom Morrisey
Executive Editor

I'm nearsighted as well and have always worn contacts during my 10 years of diving. However, last at DEMA (the dive industry trade show) last October I talked to the guys from HydroOptix masks and it turns out my prescription is a natural match for their mask. Their mask is designed to improve the way we see underwater (you can more accurately judge distance, size, etc), but essentially, the domed lenses of the mask will serve as a presciptive mask for me. I haven't had a chance to get in the water with it yet, but the physics behind it sound really interesting.

You can read more about the HydroOptix mask at:

http://www.sportdiver.com/product.js...clientID=33048

Laura C.S. Walker
Online Director, Sport Diver

[Tom H]

I had the lazer eye surgery, but still need reading glasses. Bought these small lenses that fit in the mask at the bottom of each side. Worked great for reading the gauges. BUT, they only are supposed to stick on with hot water overnight, and I lost 2 when diving due to water in the mask. Perhaps by gluing them in, you would be OK.

[daphne_always]

I need ur advice. I'm 13 and terribly shortsighted (-4 on both eyes)
is it possible wearing contacts underwater? or should i just get myself a prescription mask?
i've been diving without them and it seemed OK, but my vision is getting worse every year (stupid growing up)
any suggestions?

[pistolpete44us]

Don't forget to bring another pair on board! Almost lost mine once this past week and had no backups and that would have been the end of the trip!