Vision Correction?

[stiffany]

This may be a stupid question, but what do people with nearsightedness do in order to dive? I've dived a few times before, but in the subsequent years, my ability to see clearly more than 10 feet in front of me has gotten rather pathetic.

Thanks!

 

[Supernal]

Hi, you'll find a lot of posts on this topic here:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=31

 

[Daner]

Wear contact lenses

 

[pickens_46929]

Got prescription lens... love them. Tried recently to do without them (water has some corrective properties)... but alas it's not enough. I'm -2.5 dio in each eye... cost me $50 (on top of mask cost). I've got 2 masks with prescription lens and carry both on trips if it's a multiple dive trip.

 

[dbittner]

I am also nearsighted, so I wear contact lenses when I dive. These are soft lenses, and I've never had a problem of losing one or both when the mask floods (something which happens from time to time -- I'm still learning). However, I do use one-day disposal lenses for my dive trips, just in case.

However, being 50 years old, I also have to deal with the dreaded "B-word" -- bifocals. Since my contacts are not bifocal contacts, I have purchased small lenses that stick on the inside of my mask. I can't remember the brand name (I'm at work right now) but I've seen them at more than one dive shop.

As for other info that has been posted on this board, I found the following references which may be helpful to you.

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=88366

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=11134

Dave

 

[spectrum]

If you are a contact user or if they will work for you that is an option. Contacts did not work for me. I have full correction with bifocal overlays in my mask and it's great.

Pete

 

[stiffany]

Thanks everyone! I have contact lenses (that, albeit imperfect since I have massive astigmatisms in both eyes, should work). My boyfriend (who is even more nearsighted than I am, but without the bifocal issue), however, isn't a candidate for contact lenses so I guess his options are to buy an expensive prescription mask or to try doing without?

 

[DivingCRNA]

Lasik. I am now 20/15. I never did tolerate contacts well.

 

[gfisher4792]

I'm only slightly nearsighted, so I can dive with a normal mask, due to the refraction of light that occurs between water and the air space in my mask (things look closer and bigger underwater, etc.). I don't use contacts, but other have told me that one thing to keep in mind with contacts, is when you do a mask removal it's good policy to keep your eyes closed to prevent lens loss.

 

[spectrum]

Thanks everyone! I have contact lenses (that, albeit imperfect since I have massive astigmatisms in both eyes, should work). My boyfriend (who is even more nearsighted than I am, but without the bifocal issue), however, isn't a candidate for contact lenses so I guess his options are to buy an expensive prescription mask or to try doing without?

Don't let him do without, for his safety and enjoyment. The bifocal overlays cost me $175 with the LDS sending the mask out and getting it back to me. I was amazed how much more comfortable my eyes were after a dive. Valentines day is coming.

Pete