Bad Vision

[RedLineX2]

Hey,

I'm thinking of starting my open water diving this August. Problem is that I have contacts and without them, pretty bad vision. I've read that with the contacts, when I do the mask clearing I can keep my eyes closed. But the underwater swim, how far is it and do I need to be able to see well to accomplish it? I'm afraid of loosing the contacts under the water. What should I do?

Thanks,
Lance

 

[DiveTub]

During the swim your buddy or the insturctor will guide you by the arm.

If you are that worried about the lose of your contacts, and if you really cant see a thing without them it would be worthwhile carrying a small spare mask in your pocket.

 

[alee]

Hi I just completed my OW in May and i also wear contacts. At first i was afraid that i might lose them underwater but like Sydney_Diver said....your buddy or your instructor will lead u when your mask if off your head.

I sorta closed my eyes during the "ordeal"..hehe...but it was alrite bcoz my instructor held my arm while i swam without my mask. However when i did my mask clearing, somehow i did not realise that my mask still had water and so i opened my eyes. TO my surprise...my contact lenses did not pop out...the only thing was that the sea water stung my eyes. But i guess thats normal. So as to wearing contact lenses underwater...you shouldnt worry...as they normally wont come out.

Cheers and happy diving with great vision!

Alee =-)

 

[DeputyDan]

really isn't an issue.

Enjoy diving................

 

[Pappy]

I have been diving with soft contacts for some time. I have opened my eyes without my mask a few times (usually after removing my mask after surfacing and before reaching shore.....shame on me) and have not lost a lense yet.
I have been told that hard lenses will immediatly float off the eye so I would keep the eyes shutif you have hard lenses.

 

[MarcHall]

I wore contacts for a number of years and I never lost one while diving although I was a pretty active diver and instructor.

You might want to go with disposable contacts so you always have a spare pair available. Or look into acquiring a spare pair just for the peace of mind.

A number of years ago I was told I was not a good candidate for contacts due to the blood vessel growth into my eyes. At that point I had an RK done on my eyes and no longer need a correction.

As far as during the dives, I assume you will be buddy diving. Your buddy should be able to assist you on your ascent if you were to lose your mask/ocntacts. Its something you might want to practice with your buddy.

Marc Hall
enjoythedive.com

 

[Scottri]

It shouldn't be a problem. I used to use a prescription mask until I finally found some soft contacts that I liked and now I use contacts only. The instructor shouldn't care that you do mask clearing skills with your eyes closed. Just let him or her know before. I've had my contacts slide around in my eye a little with water in my mask but I've never lost one. You may also look into getting a prescription mask as a back up. I carry one in my dive bag in case I lose a contact or my eyes bother me.


Good luck and have fun!


Scott

 

[Beach Bum k10]

alee once bubbled...
Hi I just completed my OW in May and i also wear contacts. At first i was afraid that i might lose them underwater but like Sydney_Diver said....your buddy or your instructor will lead u when your mask if off your head.

I sorta closed my eyes during the "ordeal"..hehe...but it was alrite bcoz my instructor held my arm while i swam without my mask. However when i did my mask clearing, somehow i did not realise that my mask still had water and so i opened my eyes. TO my surprise...my contact lenses did not pop out...the only thing was that the sea water stung my eyes. But i guess thats normal. So as to wearing contact lenses underwater...you shouldnt worry...as they normally wont come out.

Cheers and happy diving with great vision!

Alee =-)

Without mask under h2o, If you blink slowly or turn your head slowly, the soft contact sbould stay. Mime stay. If you turn your head aruptly, or your exhale bubble hit your eyes, you may loose your contact.

I used daily disposable for diving. Toss them after a day diving get a fresh pair so my eye won't hurt and prevent any micro organism attach to the lens and my eye. If I lost one contact lens under h2o, no big deal, they are disposable anyway.

 

[alee]

I reckon with or without contacts....the salty sea water still makes me cry! Heh heh...

So word of advise...DONT OPEN YOUR EYES, TRUST YOUR BUDDY & ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF YOUR DIVE!

Cheers....=-)

 

[Pappy]

When I get new lenses, I save the old ones for diving.
I keep a new set in my "save-a-dive" kit.
I have yet to loose a lense.