Bad vision

[Roweboat253]

I have pretty bad eyesight and need my glasses for everything, I can not see at all without them. WHen I was a kid it seemed that with my goggles I could see perfect underwater and I never knew why. Is this true or would I need to buy a pair of Prescription goggles, or do they make goggles that would fit over your glasses. Contacts are not an option as I just cant use them. And laser isnt either as I'm still a little scared that I would be the 1 in a million to go blind. Thanks for your replies!!

 

[jenlaur]

I, too wear glasses for everything and contacts are not an option. I splurged and got a prescription mask. It was expensive but worth every penny. I can see my gauges and all of the fine detail in the coral I would not be able to see otherwise. They do make bifocal masks but they were not an option for me due to my prescription. They also make stick ons for your mask. Try talking to your LDS.

 

[IndySCUBA]

My buddy is near-sighted and wears glasses at the surface. He uses this mask:
Diving Mask -- Welcome To HydroOptix
and he swears by it. He says they offer a great field of view and correct his vision underwater.

 

[Roweboat253]

thanks for your help. I think I've stumbled upon a great forum!

 

[perdidochas]

I have pretty bad eyesight and need my glasses for everything, I can not see at all without them. WHen I was a kid it seemed that with my goggles I could see perfect underwater and I never knew why. Is this true or would I need to buy a pair of Prescription goggles, or do they make goggles that would fit over your glasses. Contacts are not an option as I just cant use them. And laser isnt either as I'm still a little scared that I would be the 1 in a million to go blind. Thanks for your replies!!

I would advise going for a prescription mask with interchangeable lenses. The TUSA Liberator and Splendive come to mind. They have prescriptions in usually .25 diopter differences. It makes a big difference.

 

[robint]

I have pretty bad eyesight and need my glasses for everything, I can not see at all without them. WHen I was a kid it seemed that with my goggles I could see perfect underwater and I never knew why. Is this true or would I need to buy a pair of Prescription goggles, or do they make goggles that would fit over your glasses. Contacts are not an option as I just cant use them. And laser isnt either as I'm still a little scared that I would be the 1 in a million to go blind. Thanks for your replies!!

get the prescription in your mask! In fact, get 2 masks done, that way you have a backup in case of a problem with one. When you travel to dive, always put one in your carryon, also. Yes, it is expensive, but if you can't see without glasses at all, then you NEED to have the same thing to see underwater. You are no good to your buddy if you can't see him/her and you are completely missing out on the joy of diving.

 

[don Francisco]

Roweboat- if you have a simple prescription; sperical correction only with no astigmatism, the off the shelf lenses that can be dropped into various masks is the way to go.

If you have astigmatism or want bi-focals, you'll need them built into a mask.

Either way, there's no reason to suffer bad vision water underwater. You can work thru your LDS, an internet seller, or direct with certain companies. If you've already invested in a mask and it's in almost new condition, some of the prescription folks might be able to work with it saving you a few bucks.

See you on the reef, dF

 

[herman]

If you need a good bit of prescription, don't bother with the DIY ones most dive shops sell. Find yourself a good fitting mask and ship it the these folks. Welcome to Prescription Dive Mask They do a first class job and you will have a mask as good as your glasses. A second mask is not a bad idea either...they do get broke or lost once in a while and it's fairly cheap insurance compaired to what a dive trip cost.

 

[BioLogic]

I have awful vision, nearsighted and very astigmatic. When you buy the mask, if your prescription is not 'garden variety' you might ask to make sure the model you like will accommodate the lenses. Not every mask accepts every prescription.

On the up side, being able to actually see underwater is the COOLEST THING EVER. Even though I know I look a geek on shore; I put the mask on as soon as my glasses come off so I can see.

And when I had to upgrade the strength of my prescription, I did not need to change my mask. Seeing underwater is different enough that I don't get the usual disorientation from changing prescriptions, and an older prescription seems to do just as well under water.

 

[diver 85]

I have pretty bad eyesight and need my glasses for everything, I can not see at all without them. WHen I was a kid it seemed that with my goggles I could see perfect underwater and I never knew why. Is this true or would I need to buy a pair of Prescription goggles, or do they make goggles that would fit over your glasses. Contacts are not an option as I just cant use them. And laser isnt either as I'm still a little scared that I would be the 1 in a million to go blind. Thanks for your replies!!

What's your Rx with corrected acuities??.....To an eye doctor, bad vision means your BVA(best visual acuity)--not how you see without an Rx......