Contact lenses and Diving?

[Ron Brandt]

After 23 years of diving I realized I could not see my compass or read off of my instructor slates.

Went to contacts in May, plus a 1.5 diopter bifocal in the mask.
Best thing I ever did.

Ron

 

[Inkypoo]

Got a pair of soft-lens never had problems diving with them.

Although I understand that if you choose instead to go for disposables MAKE SURE they really are a good fit

I've seen many a diver lose their disposables halfway during a dive, on the boat whilst enjoying the seabreeze blowing in their faces ...heheh My feel is that they may not fit everybody like a pair of custom-made ones might....

 

[sinners]

My wife had recently on 2 dives got her contacts popped out and she had to abort the dive trip [not just the dives].

So bring 2 spares, both eyes.

Cheers!

 

[Freestyler]

I weat the Gas permeable and lost 1 out of one eye after several dives. I didn't know until I got out of the water either. Now I dive without contacts. I don't have any problems diving without contacts but I am going to purchase a prescription masks.

 

[bm9]

I also wear disposable contacts while diving and have had no problems thus far.

someday I would like to get the laser surgery though

 

[fins]

I used to wear gas permeables and never had a problem with them...although the extent of my diving is rather limited.

I also have had the Lasik surgery (just over 3 years ago).
I was -8.5 diopters in one eye and -8 in the other...with astigmatism in both.

I now see just under 20/20. It has been great, the best money I ever spent. But, I would recommend to anyone considering Lasik to do you homework and the pick the right doctor.

 

[Allen42]

fins once bubbled...
I used to wear gas permeables and never had a problem with them...although the extent of my diving is rather limited.

I also have had the Lasik surgery (just over 3 years ago).
I was -8.5 diopters in one eye and -8 in the other...with astigmatism in both.

I now see just under 20/20. It has been great, the best money I ever spent. But, I would recommend to anyone considering Lasik to do you homework and the pick the right doctor.

Is that just a bit better or worse than 20/20? And how would you go about looking for the right doc? We have docs in town who claim to have done more than 30,000 surgeries, etc. Is more actually better?

 

[Inkypoo]

fins once bubbled...
I used to wear gas permeables and never had a problem with them...although the extent of my diving is rather limited.
I also have had the Lasik surgery (just over 3 years ago).
I was -8.5 diopters in one eye and -8 in the other...with astigmatism in both.
I now see just under 20/20. It has been great, the best money I ever spent. But, I would recommend to anyone considering Lasik to do you homework and the pick the right doctor.

What would you say a ballpark $$ range for Lasik surgery in the United States is?

Thanks!

 

[skye]

I wear the two week throw away contact also. Have not had a problem with them as of yet, but carry spares in dive bag just in case. Also have signed up on the waiting list for the Lasik surgery. They are advertising in Louisiana for $700.00 per eye.

 

[Diver Kat]

Been wearing contacts for 28 years - swimming, snorkeling and now diving with them. Not a single problem so far, but I do carry a spare pair or two when traveling.

I know someone who had the lasik surgery in Louisiana for $700/eye (and he sees perfectly), but it seems to be a bit pricer in the Austin Tx area so far ......