Eye sight changing

[JodiBB]

Hi everyone...

I'm hoping someone can give me ideas on how to handle this....

I'm going into my AOW class and I know UW navigation is going to be one of the 5 specialties. About 2 weeks ago, I was in the pool aiding an OW class (interpreting) and went to the bottom and was reading my compass....for some reason, I couldn't see it! I'm far-sighted and normally this wasn't an issue, but I guess as I get older (*sigh*), my eyes are getting weaker...I don't wear contacts, so I don't have contacts to wear with my mask.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can see my compass clearly so I can pass my navigation course??

 

[The Kraken]

Check out SeaVisionUSA.com.

They offer a mask called the "Gauge Reader" for those of us who have short arms.

the K

 

[DennisW]

You can also get the stick in DiveOptx lenses. I like them fine. Cheaper than a new mask.

 

[jmps]

I have the same problem and bought this mask:

http://www.xsscuba.com/mask_gaugereader.html

It works well on my average sized face and runs around $70. Before I had a mask that I glued in a reading lens on one side. I just did my AOW and could never have read the compass without the correction!

 

[Tavi]

I've used the "Dive Optics" for several years now. I plan on getting one of the Sea Vision Guage Reader masks this year.

 

[SwimJim]

As I'm passing my mid forties I'm going through the same thing. I got dive optics a few years ago. They work fine and if you ever get a different mask you can put them in the new one. Getting old sucks.

Jim

 

[wylerbear]

All of those suggestions are good for short term although I used the Dive Optics only once before they washed out of my mask.
I really wanted a long-term solution to seeing better so I could see the fish better and get more details on small ones. Also to be able to read again without glasses. So I looked into CK surgery. It's similiar to Lasix but instead of using lasers, they use radio-frequency waves to reshape the cornea. I am extremely happy with the results. I've had to wear glasses for the past several years and the day after the CK surgery I was reading without glasses and haven't looked back since. It's been over a year and a half. I did have to go back in for an enhancement (at no charge) because things were starting to blur again. Apparently, they can make up to 32 points on your eye and they started out only doing 8 with my eyes. For the enhancement they did 8 more and the results are fantastic. The only downside is that I lost a little bit of long distance vision after the second surgery. But it's still way acceptable, better than most people, and reading and seeing close up was more important to me. It's not cheap and not everyone is a good candidate but it's worth looking into. Originally I did a search for "CK surgery", then found a local doc to do the surgery from that.
It may be worth it to you to try or not but I can't emphasize enough how happy I am with it. After 40+ years of not having to wear glasses, it was a real pain to have to grab them every time I wanted to read something. Now I'm glasses-free and totally happy.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do and have fun with the AOW class-it's a lot of fun.

 

[Pyromaniac]

Anyone know if the Sea Vision Gauge Reader masks are available in the UK ?

Google couldnt find them at all.........

 

[JodiBB]

Thanks for the suggestions....I've looked into Lasix and other type of corrective surgeries...I don't qualify at the moment because my eyes are changing rapidly over the last couple years...I was told that until they stabilize more, that I wasn't a good candidate...that's fine....I use my glasses now more for reading/computer than anything else at the moment.

What is DiveOptics?

 

[justleesa]

Thanks for the suggestions....I've looked into Lasix and other type of corrective surgeries...I don't qualify at the moment because my eyes are changing rapidly over the last couple years...I was told that until they stabilize more, that I wasn't a good candidate...

I'll be going to the mandatory seminar soon...I hope they don't tell me the same thing!