Contact lenses while diving?

[seaexplorer8888]

Hello,

I've just found this web site, hence the rash of posts appearing in quick sucession!

I usually dive with a prescription mask, but find it very tiresome taking glasses on/ off as I'm kitting up on the boat, trying to find somewhere safe to put them while diving etc.

As an alternative, is it perfectly safe to dive with contact lenses (I have soft daily disposable)? I understand they may wash out if the mask floods, but is there anything else to be concerned about, such as the extra pressure, eyes drying-out more etc etc?

Thanks!

 

[daveman692]

I've had no problem with mine, have soft monthly disposables. Only thing is these are the type that you can sleep with so they do have increased air flow than normal disposables. Only concern is loosing them if my mask floods unexpecitdly, otherwise I just close my eyes when I flood my mask and have no trouble.

 

[mike_s]

I've done every dive with a pair of contact lens in. It's the only way to dive.

It's easier than swimming in them.

The only drawback is you can't open your eyes underwater with the mask off, just like swimming. so mask clearing in a complete flood can be an issue.

But I've had my mask kicked loose before by another diver. I just closed my eyes, repositioned, cleared it, and opened my eyes REALLY Slowly as there was a small amount of water around my eyes on the eye lashes. etc.

I'd also carry a spare pair of contact lens in case you loose one you can drive home.

 

[String]

soft lenses such as daily disposable are fine. Ive dived with mine a few times and know others with far worse eyesight that require them to be able to see anything to dive.

(Hard lenses are not safe).

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I have been diving with mine for the last 20 years and for the last decade or so have done 100-150 dives per year including nitrox dives, deep dives and accellerated deco dives and my eye health is still excellent. It's a case study of one, but I suspect if it caused problems, I'd have problems by now.

 

[D_O_H]

Same here. All my dives with contacts (disposable, monthly, can't-leave-in-overnight kind) and have had no problems. No problems or extra care when my mask floods/comes off either.

I do carry a spare pair, just in case (I tend to lose them frequently), but have never had an issue diving with them.

 

[reefsong]

I, too, used to dive with a prescription mask, but found that it was a real pain in the --- once back on board.

Many years ago I switched to wearing my regular soft contact lenses while diving and would never dive without my contact lenses again!

There's always the concern that your mask can be kicked off by someone near you, or rarely have the mask pulled free in a blistering current.

So, I've gotten in the habit of attaching a small retrieval line to the mask strap which I then clip onto the front of my BC. That way, if the thing ever comes off unexpectedly, my eyes have shut instantly, and I can easily grasp the clipped line on my D-ring and feel my way to the end of it where my mask is waiting for me! Back on your face, clear the mask, open your eyes and no big deal.

 

[CameronMartz]

You'll find that many divers have been diving with contact lenses with no problems. I know divers who do deep dives, multiple gas switches, long deco, and no contact problems.

The only thing I've ever seen as a reason to be cautious diving with contacts has to do with the nasty things that can grow in the water, then use your contacts as a home. Again, I've never met a diver (or swimmer) who has had such a problem.

Cameron

 

[scubafool]

I have done all of my diving with soft disposable contacts.

Presently I am doing mask off eyes open practice during many of my dives. I regularily loose one or both lenses, but I always have 2 pair on standby. If I am going to dive again the same day, I don't change the lenses after every dive, but I always change them at the end of the day. Of course, this is in (relatively) clean springwater, in lakes or the ocean, I would probably change them every dive.

I notice that my vision is rather blurry for some time after the dive, though.

 

[Gac]

I'm still new to scuba diving, but I have snorkled for quite some time. I've always used my one-month, soft, overnight contact lenses while diving and have not had a problem.
It's already been mentioned that you should keep your eyes shut during a flooded mask situation, and I especially like ReefSong's of atatching a short retreival cord to the mask. I've always had a small concern about loosing my mask and not being able to find it because my eyes are closed, but in a really desperate situation, it's better to open your eyes, loose a contact and find the mask than to keep your eyes shut and attempt a blind (TRUELY blind) ascent at an unknown rate.

I HIGHLY recommend bringing some sort of contact lens rinse with you. I use the Opti-Free Express solution in a green box. I carry a small travel supply of the cleaning solution and just put a few drops in my eyes (with the contacts still in) between dives. That should help prevent the possibility of turning your eyes into a middle school science project.

Peace and Good Fortune!