Far Sighted - Corrective Lens or Laser?

[Bob-B]

I am 64 years old and have a minor distance correction, and about +2.25 for reading. I recently sold my wrist computer (small numbers) and bought a Pro Plus 2 console (big numbers).

Contact bifocals sound interesting. I have never worn contacts, but is this something I should be asking about on my next exam? I know that contacts move around on your eye, but do the bifocal work well enough?

I ask this here as I like the opinions of people that have or have tried, rather than someone who is trying to sell me something.

I just added a DiveOptix to one side of my mask,as a quick and cheap fix, but even the dealer where I bought them said that most people end up getting a prescription mask. I have not been on a dive with the reader yet to see if it will stay stuck. I know that is a whole different thread.

Thanks for everyone's input, most of the time I just lurk around and read, but sometimes I have to ask my own question. So often someone asks the question before me.

 

[Texfrazer]

I use a prescription mask (with ground lenses). Personally, I like it a lot better than using the various replacement lenses, since it gives me my true prescription (I am nearsighted).

I do carry a 2nd prescription mask with me on trips.

One nice benefit with this setup is that I've never had a mask fog. Maybe my spit is just that good, but the thicker lense seems to make it less likely to fog.

 

[diver 85]

I am 64 years old and have a minor distance correction, and about +2.25 for reading. I recently sold my wrist computer (small numbers) and bought a Pro Plus 2 console (big numbers).

Contact bifocals sound interesting. I have never worn contacts, but is this something I should be asking about on my next exam? I know that contacts move around on your eye, but do the bifocal work well enough?

I ask this here as I like the opinions of people that have or have tried, rather than someone who is trying to sell me something.

I just added a DiveOptix to one side of my mask,as a quick and cheap fix, but even the dealer where I bought them said that most people end up getting a prescription mask. I have not been on a dive with the reader yet to see if it will stay stuck. I know that is a whole different thread.

Thanks for everyone's input, most of the time I just lurk around and read, but sometimes I have to ask my own question. So often someone asks the question before me.

re the bifocal CTLs:---they're supposed to move a little(about .5 mm)---& with a little luck, they'll work...Only way to know though is thru a trial fitting...

EDIT: if your 'minor distance correction' is astigmatism, this may help reduce your success rate ie regarding successful BIFOCAL CTL wear(single vision distance Rx's are no problem in regards to astigmatism).....ie, it can get a little complicated..Bottom line, I would consult your eye doctor for further questions....

 

[gummybun]

I just added a DiveOptix to one side of my mask,as a quick and cheap fix, but even the dealer where I bought them said that most people end up getting a prescription mask. I have not been on a dive with the reader yet to see if it will stay stuck.

Yes, I tried those, but they washed out of my mask. I use an Atomic mask, and while the seal seems OK I do get water in below 40 ft and I think it just softens the bond. Sometimes they lasted three dives, other times less than 1. I have read other have had success with them, maybe you will be lucky. I would just pop for the RX mask if you can get the prescription for your eyes - once you have it you can forget about it and not worry if you rinse your mask with soap or whatever.

 

[Downing]

Today contacts are available in so many Rxs and materials, it's so rare to have a patient that "cannot wear them because it doesn't come in their Rx" or "their eyes are too dry", that it's simply amazing to me that divers would go to the trouble of having an expensive mask fabricated that won't give them anywhere near the peripheral vision that they would get with contacts. In addition to which there can be significant distortion and minification with these types of masks. They look sort of freaky too.

To each his or her own I guess.

Steve, I haven't noticed any of the problems you described with respect to my prescription masks and you can't even tell it's prescription without looking in it. I tried contact lenses when I first started diving but it was just too much hassle. Probably an old dog/new trick sort of thing as I'm 52 years old and have worn glasses since I was a kid.

And as someone else mentioned, I always bring a prescription backup on trips. I get a new mask every time I get a new prescription so at this point I've got a couple of backups in my closet.

My wife, on the other hand, prefers contacts when she dives.

 

[idocsteve]

Ouch! ouch! ouch! 63? I understand that in Japan it is polite to over-estimate a mans age, but you are being too polite sir ... like more than a decade too polite!
Funnily enough I am in for my eye checkup on Tuesday, I'll as my doctor how old my eyes are then, and see if she agrees. She had better not.

I doubt I am over prescribed
Maybe my shorthand description of my prescription gives the wrong impression.

Your shorthand description of your prescription was fine. Assuming it's accurate than I highly suspect you are over prescribed by about .75 diopters. Unless your eye doctor is compensating for cutting back a bit on your full distance rx, I would expect your bifocal Rx to be closer to closer to +1.75 not +2.50

I am 64 years old and have a minor distance correction, and about +2.25 for reading. I recently sold my wrist computer (small numbers) and bought a Pro Plus 2 console (big numbers).

Contact bifocals sound interesting. I have never worn contacts, but is this something I should be asking about on my next exam? I know that contacts move around on your eye, but do the bifocal work well enough?

I've been fitting bifocal contact lenses for years, they work quite well and not just for divers. There's a bit of a compromise in the distance and near vision for most patients, but the vast majority are willing to give up a little of the "sharpness" in exchange for not needing reading glasses. Contacts are designed to move on the eye about .5 to 1mm, most bifocal contacts have circular zones of distant and near prescription as compared to eyeglass bifocals which have the distance rx on the top and the reading prescription on the bottom.

Steve, I haven't noticed any of the problems you described with respect to my prescription masks and you can't even tell it's prescription without looking in it.

I haven't seen Rx dive masks in quite some time. We used to send masks out to have the lenses bonded to the faceplate, but that was many years ago. Nowadays we don't do the work because divers send their masks directly to the companies. So I'm thinking about the older style I guess, thanks for clarifying.

re the bifocal CTLs:---they're supposed to move a little(about .5 mm)---& with a little luck, they'll work...Only way to know though is thru a trial fitting...

There's a lot more too it then luck.

Among the more relevant contributing factors to a successful bifocal fit:

Skill and experience level of the practitioner, as well as their motivation. In general, a chain store optical employed optometrist will want you in and out of the chair as quickly as possible, they probably don't have the skills or desire to practice the more advanced forms of optometry; a self employed professional optometrist such as myself will go the distance because we value patient satisfaction and referrals and retention.

Bifocal contact lens patients must understand the vision will be a bit of a compromise and have patience to return for several followup visits to adjust the contact lens power and possibly the brand, as needed, it usually takes 2 or 3 trial sets before the Rx is finalized. My success rate with bifocal contact lenses is around 90%.

 

[gummybun]

Hey u-doc Thanks for all the expert input. I'm sure everyone here is grateful.

 

[Bob-B]

Thanks all for the information. I am coming due for a new Rx and will talk to the Doc. to see what he thinks. I may not be one for compromise. When I first got bifocals I didn't like the middle area so I went back and got trifocals so I could get the most out of them.

A Rx mask may be the only solution, but I bet they don't make trifocal masks. Then there is the Old Dog New Tricks problem with going to contacts.

Thanks gummybun for letting me sneek in here.

 

[Guy Alcala]

Yes, I tried those, but they washed out of my mask. I use an Atomic mask, and while the seal seems OK I do get water in below 40 ft and I think it just softens the bond. Sometimes they lasted three dives, other times less than 1. I have read other have had success with them, maybe you will be lucky. I would just pop for the RX mask if you can get the prescription for your eyes - once you have it you can forget about it and not worry if you rinse your mask with soap or whatever.

FWIW, I'm very nearsighted, use monovision contacts ( dominant left eye for distance, right eye for reading, especially the gauges on my right wrist while diving), with a Dive Optix +2 in the bottom left side of mask (Atomic Frameless) so I can read my SPG on the D-ring down by my left hip.

I've had good luck with installing the Dive Optix lens, even removing and repositioning them a few times while I was finding the best spot. The only time I had one come loose underwater, I'd done a poor job of squeezing all the water and air pockets out while installing it (I knew it was a sloppy job), so I can't blame the lens for that. I think it's been a year or more since I last moved it, at least 70 cold-water dives as deep as 138 feet, and haven't had it come loose yet. And even if I should lose it, I've still got the other one for a backup. For a total expenditure of ~$30 it was an excellent deal.

Guy

 

[coralcruiser]

My daily contacts cost around $20-25 for a box of 30! I put them on in the morning before diving and throw them away at the end of the day.

Even if something happens and I lose one, I throw a pair of each in my dive bag and simply put in whichever one I need on the boat.

Best is if I ever need to change the Rx for one or both eyes, not a big deal... and of course, since it is a medical expense I get to write it off my taxes.