contacts while diving?

[irishkiss]

Since Ive been diving last, I now have to wear contacts. Can you wear them down, or is it better to get a perscription mask. I wear one contact in one eye to see close, and none in the other eye because I see fine far. My eyes compensate for each other depending what Im doing. If I dont wear it, I wont be able to read guages....sooo perscription mask? Thanks

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Your choice.

Getting a prescription mask wouldn't be a bad idea. If you get one, it makes sense to also get a backup. Either you can get a mask custom-made for you or you can purchase an off-the-rack mask that has pop-out lenses which can be ordered in different corrective strengths. The Tusa Splendive II/IV and the Mares X-Vision are a couple of masks that have replaceable lenses for people who wear glasses/contacts. Scubatoys.com even has a video showing how to install the corrective lenses.

I don't own a prescription mask. I've successfully conducted several hundred dives (all of them) while wearing disposable soft contact lenses in both eyes. I have no issues with taking my mask off and/or clearing it underwater. I simply keep my eyes closed during the process. One time I barely opened one eye underwater just to see if the contact lens would float off. It remained in place.

I always keep some saline solution and a spare set of contact lenses in my save-a-dive kit.

One disadvantage of going the contact lense route is that, if you get some sort of eye irritation/infection during a dive vacation which prevents you from using contact lenses, then that means no more diving for you. Kind of makes you want to get a prescription mask just in case, huh?

 

[melanie.]

The biggest thing is how comfortable are you wearing contacts?

If you have no troubles on land, I doubt you will have any troubles underwater. I used to wear my contacts diving all the time. The only reason I don't now is because visibility is never more then 20 feet and I don't have seeing until 50 or so.
Also chances are if this is the first prescription you have, your eyes will be changing quite a bit in the upcoming years. No point getting a prescription mask until it all evens out.

But that's just my thoughts, do what you think is going to feel the best for you.

 

[j2s]

LP has inexpensive small stick on plastic lenses by a company called Diveoptx...They stay on the inside of the mask very well even if it gets flooded.......I tried a couple of different powers 'til I found which worked best then got permanent lenses in my masks from a California co. callled Prescriptiondivemasks.com....From what I've read on SB, some people have no problem w/contacts even when their mask gets flooded while others loose them or just close their eyes when clearing their masks....Depending on which mask/manufacturer you wear some have premade prescription lenses that you can buy [at LP] that are less expensive than custom made.......

 

[irishsquid]

...I've successfully conducted several hundred dives (all of them) while wearing disposable soft contact lenses in both eyes. I have no issues with taking my mask off and/or clearing it underwater. I simply keep my eyes closed during the process. One time I barely opened one eye underwater just to see if the contact lens would float off. It remained in place.

I always keep some saline solution and a spare set of contact lenses in my save-a-dive kit.

This is what I do also, The daily disposables are inexpensive, so losing one or two is no big deal. I went this route because I need them to read and see details up close. I didn't want to have to wear a prescription mask or carry my glasses during my SI.

 

[irishkiss]

Sounds good!! and makes sense that my eyes will still be changing, to not buy a mask. Does make sense to buy inserts so if I get an infection I will still be able to dive. You guys are great, Thankyou for the info!!

 

[soonerwink]

I also wear the mono-vision contacts. I have made hundreds of dives in them and have never lost one. I even demonstrate to students how to remove mask and put it back on. I also volunteer at a local Aquarium were I remove my mask and regulater to pose for pictures. I always leave my eyes open when I remove my mask.

 

[DevonDiver]

I've used contact lenses since I first started diving and had no problems. I opt for daily disposables, just in case I lost one (which I never have).

 

[vladimir]

Daily disposables are a great solution. I wore my $300 contact lenses diving when soft lenses were first introduced (and when $300 bought a couple of ounces of gold). Now, for about a $1, I can swap my lenses for a brand new pair between dives if I'm inclined to do so for comfort, or to mitigate the small risk of infection. I rarely do, however. I'm usually not even aware of my lenses while diving, or otherwise.

I hesitate to suggest it, for fear of raising Idocsteve from the dead, but this thread is informative:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ba...enses-diving-questions-welcome-idocsteve.html

 

[DivemasterDennis]

Yes you can wear contacts, and yes you should get a prescription mask. My eyesight is terrible and I wear such masks. You can get a totally adequate mask with "pop in lenses" at most dive shops for under $200.00 including the Rx lenses. Or you can order a mask ground to your exact prescription for $250.00 to $500.00.
I have one custom ground mask and the rest "pop ins" and I actually like the pop ins better.
DivemasterDennis