Does anyone use contacts for diving?

[picxie]

I wear contacts but have just bought a new mask and had prescription lens' put in - I'm near sighted and had -4.0 & -4.5 put in. I found contacts were fine but if I had to clear my mask I had to be very careful to make sure all water was out before opening my eyes. I've never lost a lens', but come close, and it's not fun if it's a bit surgy and you're sitting there with your eyes closed trying to get all the water out of your mask!
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<DIV>I also found that I had to be careful on the boat trip as the contacts would dry out quickly if I was looking out while we were travelling (all that fresh air, darn it!! ).</DIV>
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<DIV>I needed to get new contacts as I only have a couple left (I use daily disposables). And I also neededa new mask. So I decided to get the Mares X-Vision (we don't seem to easily get the other ones over here that can fit prescription lens' and I wanted to stick with what was here in case I had issues) and got the lens' put in. It arrived yesturdayyay! And the mask is great, I love it, although the lens' may take a bit of getting used to (just like new glasses!). These lens' are stronger (more correct) than the contact lens' I've been using so I have no doubt that in the water they'll be better.</DIV>
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<DIV>If not, I can swap the original lens' back in and go back to contacts. </DIV>
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<DIV>As for once the mask is off, I plan to wear my glasses. Again, if this proves to be no good on a boat, then I may resort back to contacts. But I wanted to try prescription lens'. I've only met one person who needed some corrective help, and he used a mask and thought it was great. He wore his glasses on the boat and said he'd had no problems.</DIV>

[Harshal]

with my limited experience all I can say is only time I have to use caution is if my mask comes off for any reason. Other than that I never had any problem with wearing contacts. Also in case if I lost one or both contact I can surface, but would have hard time finding the boat......lol (Thats reason I wear orange BC from ST) ........lol
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[Joew]

I wear contacts while diving, and have never had any problems. I've lost quite a few contacts while surfing, but that's a different story. I wear them everyday anyways, so if I were to use a prescription mask I would need to wear glasses out on the boat, which would mean I'd also need prescription sunglasses. It's alot easier and cheaper for me to just use contacts. It's less hassle, and I can see when I take my mask off on the surface. That's a big plus for me when working with students. If you wear glasses on a daily basis, then a prescription mask might work better for you. I must admit, the HydroOptix mask is intriguing.

[Judestudio]

I also dive with contacts, haven't loss any yet. I always keep a spare set though.

[tx.lakerat]

I've been diving with contacts for years and never had any problems.. I do carry a spare set with me just in case I do lose one but haven't done that yet (knock on wood) either!

[Fideaux]

I wear contacts and I use the HydroOptix mask and I change contacts to dive with it. I have never had a problem.
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<DIV>Bruce</DIV>

[the gooch]

I dive with contacts every time as well and have never lost one. My Rx is only -1.5 though so if I did lose one/both then I would still be able to see well enough to make it back to the boat. I like the idea of the extra set in a save-a-dive kit.[img]smileys/smiley20.gif[/img]

[DougNR]

Wow! Lots of really good comments made since I posted the question! Rather than reply individually, even though it would give my message count for free stuff a real boost (Larry &amp; Joe please note - I should get some kind of bonus!).
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<DIV>It appears that there a quite a few soft contact users that routinely wear them diving and rarely suffer any loss. The issue of just how bad ones eyes are is noted. I'm certainly functional without lens, but the idea of carying spares is a good one.</DIV>
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<DIV>I appreciate the thought concerning cost camparison of new eye exam, and lenses vs a prescription mask. Might well be cheaper to just get the new mask.</DIV>
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<DIV>Dive forums are a good thing. Thanks to all for your inputs!</DIV>
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<DIV>Doug</DIV>
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[guggie]

Originally Posted by lucidblue

Good idea!

If I lost my contacts I wouldn't be able to see much of anything. Yet, I don't want to not be able to see without the mask, so prescription lenses aren't an option either. Right now I'm wishing that I had gotten Lasik done when I worked for company that paid for 50% of each eye. [img]smileys/smiley19.gif[/img] Thinking I'd like to get it done now. Diving is just one more reason my life would be easier after getting it done.

50% off. That's one eye for free! What are you going to do when you get presbyopia and have the need for reading glasses? We're not at the point of being able to correct that yet with surgery, but getting closer. You may need some correction in your mask to read your watch, computer, camera display, etc.

[Venio]

Originally Posted by the gooch

I dive with contacts every time as well and have never lost one. My Rx is only -1.5 though so if I did lose one/both then I would still be able to see well enough to make it back to the boat. I like the idea of the extra set in a save-a-dive kit.[img]smileys/smiley20.gif[/img]

It looks like It's a Save-a-Ride kit for us!

ZX6R here.