Prescription masks

[Shirish Alurkar]

I use distant vision spectacles of -4.0 diopters and have a presbyopia with a +2.0. I do underwater photography. Would like to know what dioptres should I use in a mask ? If I use a contact lens of near vision of +2.0, what dioptre should my mask have for distant vision ?

Shirish Alurkar
India

 

[guruboy]

Use the -4 for distant vision.

You can also buy "sticker inserts" that you can apply to the mask that can help you with the near vision needed to read your gauges.

 

[Colo Hippie]

We tried the sticker inserts and they did not want to stick to the lens very well. We used to wear contacts instead, several years ago we switched to bifocal lens for our masks and have been very happy with the switch.

Edit - we had our annual eye exam done and took the prescription to our LDC, they took the info and our masks and shipped them to a company here in the USA that made lens for our masks and glued them in then shipped them back to our LDC.

 

[Dogbowl]

I use distant vision spectacles of -4.0 diopters and have a presbyopia with a +2.0. I do underwater photography. Would like to know what dioptres should I use in a mask ? If I use a contact lens of near vision of +2.0, what dioptre should my mask have for distant vision ?

Shirish Alurkar
India

Hi Shirish,

I'm not sure if using contact lenses of +2.0 with a distance vision mask will work. I am distance vision -6.0 and if I take off my contacts, I don't need the +1.25 for reading. I can read very well. I think some options are as follows:

Option 1: Wear distance vision contacts for -4.0; buy mask with reading lenses for +2.0;
Option 2: Wear distance vision contacts for -4.0; buy reader stickers for +2.0 and stick at bottom of mask lenses;
Option 3: Get bifocal mask with -4.0 & +2.0 included;
Option 4: Wear multifocal contact lenses for -4.0 & +2.0.

I currently use Option 4 but find that both near vision and far vision are not very crisp and clear. It is definitely a compromise. I don't think this will work if you're a photographer.

I would think the best vision would be obtained with Option 1, 2 and 3. Disadvantage of Option 2 is that some people say the stickers fall off. Disadvantage of Option 3 is that you need to get this custom-made/ordered and the cost is generally "higher".

For vanity reasons, I have been avoiding Option 1, 2 and 3, although I think I will eventually give in for clearer vision.

Here are some links you might find helpful:
Welcome to Prescription Dive Masks 1-800-538-2878.
SeaVisionUSA
Buy Diving Masks with Optical Lenses by H20, XS Scuba, TUSA, Mares