Contact Lenses v Presciption Lenses for Mask

[Wormzer]

Which do you prefer?
Which do you actually use?

My vision is not as good as it once was. I now have a pair of glasses I use for driving (road signs). I would like to see things as clearly as possible while diving. So, should I get fitted for contacts or get prescription lenses for my mask?

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by Wormzer

Which do you prefer?
Which do you actually use?

My vision is not as good as it once was. I now have a pair of glasses I use for driving (road signs). I would like to see things as clearly as possible while diving. So, should I get fitted for contacts or get prescription lenses for my mask?

Do you want to wear contacts on land, as well, or just when diving? The latter seems silly to me... either wear contacts (all the time), or don't wear contacts. Contacts while diving is more of a hassle than contacts in your bathroom at home, especially when you start considering multi-day trips.

The nice ladies at Welcome to Prescription Dive Masks 1-800-538-2878 are optometrists who know pretty much all there is to know about installing custom-ground lenses into whatever dive mask you like. Or, if you're lucky enough to have a standard prescription (.5 increments of correction, no astigmatism, etc), then you can just buy a mask that takes standard inserts and drop some pre-fab lenses in for a cheaper alternative.

I've been diving with prescription masks for over 20 years, and wouldn't have it any other way. I've dove with contacts, and while it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be (not bad at all, actually), I wouldn't want to bother with the hassle of contacts and supplies all the time, just for diving. If I was wearing contacts full time, on the other hand, I would simply continue wearing them while diving.

[Diver Kat]

Although I've worn contacts for 34 years now, I agree -somewhat- with CompuDude. If it's just for diving, it's likely not worth the hassle and expense of getting fitting, buying the contacts, getting into the routine, etc. especially if you're only needing glasses for driving. Now if you're vision needs correction all the time, then switching to contacts could be a good option. These days there are so many types - dailies, monthlies, etc., it's not the PITA it was some years back. My basic travel supplies are a contact case, saline, a no-rub cleaner solution some eye drops, and an extra pair or two of contacts. I work, play, dive and even sleep in my contacts - no problem. Then again, I'm blind as a bat, so contacts were the only way to go for me. Glasses were too big a pain. So really you need to see what will work best for you based on how much vision correction you need.

[gee]

I am still trying to decide between the two choices. As of last week, I started wearing contacts for the first time. I have the contact in the left eye for near vision and the right eye for distant vision. I am adjusting to that pretty well and I think it will work well for me above and below water. Thanks for that suggestion Diver Kat. I have gotten over the initial reluctance to poke something in my eye but, I'm still struggling a little with getting them in right away because of my 10 thumbs! But it gets easier and I think I'll get better with more practice. They are surprisingly quite comfortable and I usually wear them all day & take them out at night. I have a follow up appointment tomorrow and I suspect I'll have a change in the right contact as it seems to shift when I blink.

Originally Posted by Wormzer

Which do you prefer?
Which do you actually use?

My vision is not as good as it once was. I now have a pair of glasses I use for driving (road signs). I would like to see things as clearly as possible while diving. So, should I get fitted for contacts or get prescription lenses for my mask?

[RoyN]

You shouldn't wear contacts just for diving alone. If you change contacts, its for seeing without the need of glasses. I still bring my prescription mask in my drysuit pocket, still have my prescription glasses just in case I accidently flood my mask. If I'm doing dive training like my DM course or the tech class, I'll use my prescription mask.

Otherwise, I would recommend having both a low volume mask and a perscription mask if you can afford one and wear contact lens.

[acamato]

When I started diving I didn't wear contacts. So I got a prescription mask. By the time my mask was shot (10 yrs) I wore contacts. Now I dive with contacts. I do not wear contact everyday. I just make sure that I put them in on days that I go diving.

[Diver Kat]

Originally Posted by gee

I am still trying to decide between the two choices. As of last week, I started wearing contacts for the first time. I have the contact in the left eye for near vision and the right eye for distant vision. I am adjusting to that pretty well and I think it will work well for me above and below water. Thanks for that suggestion Diver Kat. I have gotten over the initial reluctance to poke something in my eye but, I'm still struggling a little with getting them in right away because of my 10 thumbs! But it gets easier and I think I'll get better with more practice. They are surprisingly quite comfortable and I usually wear them all day & take them out at night. I have a follow up appointment tomorrow and I suspect I'll have a change in the right contact as it seems to shift when I blink.

Glad to hear the monovision is working well for you so far! Keep us updated!! Believe me, the 'poking' things in your eye will get easier & easier! As for initial fitting, they often need to tweak them a bit to get a perfect fit. Last time my doc changed my brand to a better breather, it took a bit of tweaking. I guess contacts are like everything else, sizing changes with brands!

[gthomas]

I wear contact all the time and haven't had any problems in the water or out. My brother in law got contacts just for the water but he always ends up wearing them them whole time we're on vacation. I think its just for the ease of not having to go back and forth to glasses.

[gee]

Diver Kat,

I'll report back after my next dive trip which will be next month. I'm looking forward to being able to clearly read my computer and camera settings. So far I have to give top marks to contacts for comfort. I had the mistaken notion that I would feel something on my eyeball but actually, I don't feel like there is anything in my eye at all.

Originally Posted by Diver Kat

Glad to hear the monovision is working well for you so far! Keep us updated!! Believe me, the 'poking' things in your eye will get easier & easier! As for initial fitting, they often need to tweak them a bit to get a perfect fit. Last time my doc changed my brand to a better breather, it took a bit of tweaking. I guess contacts are like everything else, sizing changes with brands!

[openhelix]

great thread. I've always dived in contacts but wondered about prescription masks.