Contact lens and diving

[Firediver32]

Just had an eye exam, need new glasses. I can see pretty good without them, but am considering lens'. Can you/should dive with them in? any issues? problems etc. Like I said I can live without em, but there nice to have when driving to and from the site.

Dan

 

[Jason B]

I know many folks (myself included) that dive with contacts.

 

[Scuba-Jay]

Dan there are a load of posts on this topic. I myself just had Lasik implant surgery in order to do away with the need for contact while diving. My personal experience is that they are a pain, especially when trying to teach. You really dont want salt water coming into contact with them, and they corrode a lot faster when diving than if you were on land. That being said, many people dive with contacts and have no issues. There are alternatives however which you might want to look at.

Lasik
corrective lens masks
mask implants
sucking it up and not using any corrective measures

It all depends on how bad your eyes are and what you are looking to accomplish.

GL

Jay

 

[TripletDad]

I dive fresh water with them in all the time and have never had any problems. There are several threads on the subject here but the general consensus is that it isn't a problem with soft lenses even in salt water.

 

[Darnold9999]

Always dive with them, no issues at all. Have lost one contact at the surface after a dive, blinked and it was gone. Carry a spare pair in the save-a-dive kit.

However I can't walk without bumping into things, let alone drive without them.

 

[mthirsc]

Contacts greatly improved the quality of my diving experience, above and under water. I personally would easily choose them over rx lenses for many reasons. You may lose the contacts if you have to open your eyes underwater but with disposables who cares, especially if you can get by without them to safely complete your dive. Without a mask your vision is shot anyway. Go for it!

 

[pupdiver]

I always dive with contact lenses. I haven't ever had a problem or lost any, but I always keep a spare pair in my dive bag. Salt water probably mucks them up faster than normal but that isn't a big deal.

The only consideration would be whether you could safely end a dive if you lost them underwater. My eyesight is fairly bad and I can still read my gauges and computer (if I bring them up close). It sounds like you would have no trouble.

I don't like corrective lens masks because my prescription changes every year and I don't want to deal with getting new lenses for my mask. Plus, I am afraid if I put my mask on my forehead the sun might scorch me like an ant.

 

[RocketMan]

Sometimes I dive with contacts...sometimes without...I have a perscription mask for when I dive without. I currently have soft contacts but I have used hard ones when diving and have never had a problem with either.

 

[Cmdrjay1]

I've never done any diving without wearing soft contact lenses. Never had a problem. Plus, my understanding is that if you are near-sighted you actually see better underwater than someone with perfect vision (with the naked eye).

 

[123Scuba.com]

I dive with my contacts most of the time as well. No issues, never lost one. I also have a prescription mask I keep in my gearbag for backup. I figure as long as I have it around, I won't end up loosing a contact on a dive day. Murphy's Law: The one day I'll forget it is the day I'll need it!