Bad vision

[The_DivePirate]

I myself HAD bad vision in my left eye 20/70, (slept in my glasses)the last time I went in for glasses the doc said we should just pull it since it was just taking up space. With the water magnifying everything looks 33% closer and 25% larger than they actually are, so the need for glasses is a conveinience for making things crisp and clear. I will have to say that when everyone was saying how cool things looked, it it really escaped me until I had lasik, and then, WHOA that stuff is cool looking. I to was a little skeptical when it came to having my eyes blazed off, but let me tell you, at this time I kick myself in the @$$ for not doing it sooner. It was immediate! As soon as it was done they asked me what time it was, it was 11:47! I remember it very clearly, I could read the clock from a good 20' away, where as before the clock would have only been a blur. I went home and slept for about 5 hours and when I woke, I could read the ticker tape on the tv from bed. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will never regret it. It has only gotten better, I'm now 20/15 bin both eyes and lovin' every minute of it!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck,
Joe

Oh yeah, the best part is: I can now wear cool shades instead of those dorky clip ons!
OOOH YEAH! You know what I'm talkin about.
Joe

 

[Doc]

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

So... join the forum~ what's your eye correction needs? If you are -4.5 you may indeed find just what you need with the HydroOptix.

 

[DandyDon]

Anyone mention that you don't wear goggles underwater? Can't equalize. I know the Japanese pearl diving ladies do, but they are exceptional. We use masks.

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.

I did that, one rose tinted for shallow depths, one yellow tinted for deeper - wear one, carry the other in my BC pocket just in case, both on the plane in my roll-on. Pricey, but you don't have to change them as often as glasses it seems. I do like to see the fish with my far vision tho, and the gauges well with close vision.

 

[GrandpaScuba]

This question comes up from time to time. Mostly you'll get recommendations to get "prescription" lenses from the mask manufacturer. These really aren't "prescription", they are lenses in standard values, much like buying reading glasses at the drug store. If you have a challenging prescription, I have outlined the advice that I give to my students when they ask about corrective vision and scuba. See this post: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/3339435-post22.html

 

[Bob Vincent]

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.

A full prescription ... don't settle you'll be glad you didn't!

 

[themagni]

I have worn glasses since I was about 10 years old.

Years ago, I was an Optician. Even though I had access to free contacts, I could not and would not wear them. I was actually called "the worst patient I've ever had" by the lens fitter. "Wear glasses." So I wore glasses.

In 2001, I had extra coverage so I decided to try out contacts again and went to see another fitter. I now wear contacts most of the time, and the improvement is incredible. I say this as a guy who has $800 single-vision glasses! (Hey, they were free when I got them - perks of that old job.) As DP said, I can wear the cool shades now. I wear disposable 1-month wear lenses, and they're great.

I have -4.75 ish in each eye with mild astigmatism, and I have 20/10 and 20/15 with lenses. They work great underwater (albeit in a mask), and I've never come close to losing one. When I'm swimming, I wear RX goggles.

I'm afraid of LASIK because they won't guarantee the vision I want - 20/20 or better. They'll only promise 20/40 or better, which would mean glasses as far as I'm concerned.

If you have a severe astigmatism, you can get lenses for that. I used to work with someone with a -3.50 astig, and she was able to wear contacts.