contact lenses again

[artsprite]

I had my pool class today, and I didn't wear my contacts for it. I went without my glasses, which I can get away with doing in a pool. I won't want to go without them for the lake dives, because if I get very far away from the instructor or buddy, I'll have a problem. But, having to remove the mask and clear it sound so much harder with eyes closed. Do you really think I should go ahead and wear them?

 

[joewr]

Artsprite,

Great name!

I do not wear contacts and so I do not know about the problems one encounters whilst wearing them. But, I have a couple of suggestions:

(1) If you are far-sighted (as I am) you can buy these neat little lenses (DiveOptx) that fit right on your mask lens and work wonders. I need 1.5 diopters and these lenses are perfect. I do not know whether they are available for near-sighted applications. I got mine at my LDS--maybe yours has them, too.

(2) When I either remove my mask or just clear it, I close my eyes. That is because sea water stings them. I have never had a problem clearing my mask or redonning it with my eyes closed. When I did my OW cert I only had to take my mask completely off my head, hold it at arms-length, redon it, and clear it.

Thus, I never had to, say, drop it, find it and redon it. So I never had to open my eyes to find it: it was right in my hand. If you guys do the same drill, I do not think you will have to open your eyes (I have opened my eyes in salt water to see whether I could do it in case my mask was ever kicked off: yep, can do, but I do not like the sting!).

Oh yes, we practiced the drill in the pool several times--the OW was a piece of cake--except that I was so excited about being in the ocean I was burning air like a torch!

Have fun with your diving, now and forever!

Joewr

 

[keralucu]

Hi Artsprite - my sister wears disposable lenses so should she ever have to open her eyes in the water (for whatever reason) it won't matter if she does lose the lenses - she just won't be able to see a lot for the rest of the dive!

I don't know if that helps you at all. A lot of my friends have prescription glass in the masks as well.

Good luck with it and ENJOY!

 

[artsprite]

we only had to take mask off and hold it too, not drop it completely, so i can probably do it too. i wear bifocal contacts. the prescription lenses for me would be so expensive that i don't think it wise. you see, my prescription changes back and forth, and i'd have to replace them. but thanks for the advice

 

[scubabunny]

I wear contacts while diving, and my instructor was very understanding about the water in the eyes thing. Never really had a problem with them, but I have noticed that being around salt water has made them wear out quicker. Could just be my imagination.

If you are far-sighted, Dive-Optx is a wonderful suggestion. But, they only come in "+" prescriptions.

If you are nearsighted, think about getting a prescription mask. Most dive shops will stock prescription lenses for certain masks (2 window masks), but can probably order the lenses for the styles they don't stock. If you have a single window mask already, you can have the lenses ground for you and bonded onto the existing glass. Costs a little more, and you will have to be without your mask for a bit, but it might be worth it.

We send our masks to Scuba Optics (in Illinois, I think) and they do a wonderful job. Ask your dive shop about that option.

 

[amoeba]

Artsprite,

I too wear contacts while diving. I'm always taking my mask off in mid-water (practicing those skills you know) and I've yet to have a problem. I just keep my eyes closed. I find it helps to have a hand on your buddy so I don't have too much of a problem with spatial disorientation, it's amazing how your depth changes if you are concentrating on your mask and not your buoyancy!
I always carry spare contacts with me when I go diving so that I'll be covered if I do loose one. (I use disposables with a simple perscription so cost is not an issue for me.)
All instructors (that I know anyway) are used to taking contact lenses into consideration and will modify your skills accordingly. (Instead of taking your mask off, swimming around without it and then re-donning your mask your instructor should lead you around with your eyes closed and then get you to replace the mask and do the clearance.)
Now, having said all that, I was also very worried about wearing contacts while diving but I eventually decided I wasn't seeing half the stuff I should have and took the plunge! Although it took a little getting used to I now don't think twice about it!
I have also had to open my eyes under water without the mask (I can't remember why) and I still had both contacts at the end of the dive! Luck or what?


Hope this helps

 

[kelpmermaid]

Personally, I wear disposable lenses, and it has worked well for me. If my mask floods, all I have to do is break out a new pair. If you wear bifocals, maybe you could use a combination of disposables for distance and the stick on optix for close up. I did not opt for a prescription mask due in part to the expense and the possibility of ruining a trip due to a broken/lost mask.

 

[SubMariner]

I used to wear contacts while diving. When I got to the bifocal stage I switched to having the prescription in my mask because bifocal toric soft lenses are (1) too expensive -- more expensive than lenses in my mask (2) wouldn't give me as good vision.

"i wear bifocal contacts. the prescription lenses for me would be so expensive that i don't think it wise. you see, my prescription changes back and forth, and i'd have to replace them."

No offense, but something is wrong if you are having to change your prescription as often as the above implies. Either it is not being correctly calculated during the eye exam, not correctly executed, or you have a problem that needs further investigation by a good opthamologist.

At one stage during your confined water training you will have to swim for a specific distance without your mask on while breathing from your regulator. This may be difficult if you have your eyes closed, so you may want to remove your contacts during that particular session so you can see where you are going.

During mask clearing, mask removal & replacement you will probably be able perform these skills while keeping your eyes closed.

Take care, eh?!

~SubMariner~

 

[artsprite]

That's a good idea about getting cheaper single vision contacts and optix readers for a dive trip. I'll probably use that one. I could get the kind that you throw away every day just for the trip, and it would make everything easier. My bifocals are the kind you wear for 2 weeks and throw away, so I can replace them easily. It costs $45 for 6 lenses. That's $90 for 3 months. It is kind of expensive. Thanks.

 

[joewr]

Artsprite,

Tell all your friends about this Board! Yours is just the kind of experience that makes lookin' in on things heart warming!

Now, let's get in some diving....

Joewr (cheerleader in abstentia)