I can't see!

[Paddles]

I have to laugh at this one...I was reading up on the posts, which of course required my wearing my "reading glasses"...unfortunately, over the last week or two, my current glasses weren't cutting it...so I put two on at the same time! My kids came into my office and I laughed as they yelled, "What the hell? Mom, you look like a freak!"

I guess sitting here with two pair of glasses on at the same time is alittle freaky...(I did go and buy a stronger pair but they make me dizzy)

Just wanted to say thanks for all the advice...and as soon as I can see again, I'll figure out the best solution for me!

Take care,

"Six Eyes"

PS...What the hell am I to do when I can't see to find my glasses?! :11:

 

[toni_al]

:11: Hi ya'll

I tried doing a search of various forums before posting this but came up with tons on non-related posts, so sorry if this is redundant...

I can't see my gauges! While diving today, I could not see my depth or air gauges. Had to have my buddy help out.

.......

My last 5 or 6 dives were fine, but today was frustrating! My watch was ok to read, but then again it glows in the dark and there aren't any numbers anyway...kinda know my way around the clock...but I could not see my depth or air...not a good feeling...

Maybe you should post this under Dive Medicine, I am no expert - Is there something like eye-squeeze that could change the size of the eye and thereby change the focusing. Eye doctors/specialists routinely measure eye pressure - (early indicator for diabetes).

I do not want to be an alarmist, but you said previous dives where OK, I would get some more advice and see an eye doctor/specialist who checks your eyes with medical background and not an optometrist who only tunes lenses in front of your eyes and relies on your feedback better or worse than previous.

best regards
Anton

 

[vjongene]

:I can't see my gauges! While diving today, I could not see my depth or air gauges. Had to have my buddy help out.

Lots of good advice here about masks with correcting lenses. Most major manufacturers propose them.

As an alternative, if you should start wearing contacts (see your eye doctor first etc), it is perfectly OK to keep them on while diving. I did for a couple of years before springing for custom made (and expensive) bifocals in my mask.

Good luck!

Victor J.

 

[Frogman48]

Definitely check out the SeaVision Gauge Reader masks. I had lasik done a few years ago when flying - have great distance vision, but since I'm over forty and no longer vain about wearing glasses, now use bifocals for close-up work and reading. I tried the gauge readers and now can see my wrist computer, watch, and read slates perfectly. SeaVision offers the gauge reader option in clear lenses as well as the color correcting and yellow max-vision lenses. Check out their website - seavisionusa.com - they also have great service. I ordered my first mask while living in Iowa. Seavision is in Florida and I received it the next day. I currently live and instruct in Florida and have received the same quick service when an accident cracked the frame of one of my other SeaVision masks. I shipped it to SeaVision and had it repaired and back in my hands in 3 days!

 

[Wristshot]

After I turned 35 (a while ago) I discovered that my eyesight had deteriorated to the point where I need glasses. I only need glasses for distance, so I wear them to drive, watch hockey and to see if the women on the other side of the bar are good looking. At the same time, my near vision has also fallen off. I can no longer focus as close as I used to be able to.

My first mask had corrective lenses from my old snorkeling days, and that was great for seeing things at a distance, but it really messed up my close vision.

When I first started diving, I had some trouble reading the rental computers. The characters were small, and a little blurry. However, I was able to read my buddy's dive computer easier than I could read mine. He has an Oceanic Data Max Pro Plus whatever-the-heck it is. The readouts range from big to really huge. At the time it was the largest readout available.

I tried the little "guage readers" inside my mask at one point. They didn't work real well, and kept falling off. As described by others, they work for some people, not for others. (I can't stand my above water "progressive lens" glasses either, so the problem rests with me primarily.)

I bought myself an Oceanic Versa Pro computer and then an Aeris Atmos II as a back up (essentially same basic computer). They have such large characters that I am able to read them just fine. Other manufacturers now have large characters, but check out the size of the Oceanic displays.

Also, when I am going to dive in Monterey, I don't wear my glasses in the morning before I dive. I find that I can see up close a lot better if I have not worn my glasses at all that day. Rested, uncorrected eyes seem to be able to focus closer for me.

Also I got a second mask, and this one was left with the standard plain glass lenses. For most of the Monterey diving that I do, the things that are within the range of visibility are close enough that I don't really need the distance correction of the old mask. Mostly in Monterey we get "up close and personal" with the rocks etc. I use the prescription mask occasionally in Florida or Cozumel where there are a lot more things visible at greater distances.

Between the large computer readout and the relaxed eyes, I am able to read my computers just fine.

There are companies that make prescription masks and even bifocal masks or replacement lenses for many popular masks. I have a link at home to a good one in southern California, but I am sure that there are others on the web.

You gotta find what works for you, but consider Oceanic.

Just sharing my thoughts and experiences,

Wristshot

 

[nwdiver2]

I use an Oceanic XTC 100 computer; it has the largest numbers I have seen on a dive computer. It is not made any more but the Pro Plus 2 air integrated computer with the hose has the same size numbers, a buddy has it and it would put a computer and your tank pressure in the same gauge.

I use reading glasses but don’t need them with my gauges yet. I have not tried the stick in lenses for the mask but lots of people use them often with just one eye piece for reading gauges.

 

[Waldoman]

Being of that tender age myself (45), I too have found it difficult to read my gauges.

I have the Dive Optx inserts in my mask (helps alot), though you might be able to get away with just the insert for the left eye. If you check it out, you'll see that your right eye can barely see the gauges, compass, watch, etc. anyway (blocked by mask nose, etc.). A couple of problem swith using the reading lens for the right side of the mask is that:

a) there's not much nearby that you need to see (unless you're into photography), and you might prefer full "far" vision in at least in one eye. The reading lenses do impair distance viewing.

b) with both lens inserts installed proper alignment is essential--the optical center of each of the inserts must be correcly aligned with your eyes.

I also got a computer (AI) and watch that could be easily read with or without correction in the mask. My computer is a Sherwood Wisdom (very LARGE characters). I also replaced my Tag Huer which is attractive and stylish--but difficult to read the bezel & hands with or without corrected vision. I got a Seiko Automatic Dive watch with a red-black bezel. Love it. With the clearly marked bezel, it's impossibile not to read it.

Now I can see again!

++ Peter

 

[Rick Inman]

Per advice on this board by an Optician, I got bi-focal contact lenses. They work great!

 

[Sue-ba]

I did a search on this topic because I am so frustrated with my underwater vision. I woke up on my 4oth birthday and was blind. (I swear)! I can see perfectly, -anything 3ft away. Under that, it must be at least 3ft tall to read. I wear over-the-counter reading glasses on land but I get sick if I look out of them at anything farther away.

I did finally buy the Optix lenses, put them in both sides of my mask and felt claustrophbic the next few dives. Took one out, better. Close one eye when reading gauges. I can see my computer this way and the air is easy to figure out but might as well forget the compass. Not wanting to have to rely on my buddy the rest of my life to get me around, I put the other lense on top of the first one. Great idea. I could see all gauges with 1/2 of one eye and could still see the beauty of the dive with 1 1/2 eyes. Then, the top lense washed out during a clear. Did not notice till the next gauge check.

I saw the Mares ESA. I was intrigued but am now disappointed in the reviews. I really liked the idea of having a whole lense to see distance and still be able to see the gauges through the bottom.

I guess my next step will be buy stronger Optix lenses. (The original lense seems to be attached quite securely. I do redo the attachment about every 6 months though just as a precaution). Still frustrated. :11:

 

[Doc Intrepid]

For what its worth, I have the same situation and have been walking down the same path.

Just as people's experiences will vary from person to person, they will also vary with environment. I used to dive exclusively in pretty cold water. I tried the Optyx stick-ons. On a couple dives they came loose, but the bigger problem was that in very cold water they would fog up. You would have a clear mask lens with a foggy spot beneath the stickon. Too much of a PITA.

Went to the Mares ESA. Had the corrective lenses installed in the lower ports. It works well, generally, but it is like wearing very large bifocals. It requires significant head and eye movement to view compass, guages, etc. while "keeping your scan going" to remain aware of the situation around you. Over time this proved unsatisfactory.

I have also recently ordered the SeaVision mask with bifocal corrective lenses. I suspect this will be more effective than either of the options I've tried previously.

The problem with contact lenses is that people get their masks kicked off on the upline all the time. Unless they are carrying a spare mask, they need to open their eyes to see hand and light signals from their buddy. They risk loosing their contacts if they swim with their eyes open.

The bottom line is that while on many dives it may not be critical, on a demanding dive or under suddenly demanding circumstances no diver needs the additional task loading that results from poorly performing equipment. I've tried different solutions over the last 3 years and determined (again) that you'll likely be happiest with the option that works best for you. It likely won't be the cheapest.