Does anyone use contacts for diving?

[przeor]

I too never thought to carry spare contact in the save-a-dive kit! Brilliant idea, though if lost one, I'd be ok- I've only got a light prescription. Thanks for the good idea!

[PlatypusMan]

In my diving, I have done all the following over the years:

Dove with soft contact lenses(disposables).

Dove with no contact lenses.

Dove with the HydroOptix mask.

Diving with soft contact lenses was nice, but can become uncomfortable at times for the reasons cited by various posters.

Diving with no contact lenses, and depending on the refractive index of the water to help you see was a slightly more comfortable solution, particularly in training situations where became necessary to flood and clear the mask to prove that you had this skill down pat. The downside was that at the surface you couldn't really see anything if you were extremely nearsighted, as I am. At times, this made it fun trying to find the boat!

I debated buying a HydroOptix mask for several months, until I finally decided to take the plunge. At the risk of sounding like a commercial, I'm glad I did.

This mask does everything that they claim it will do -- at least for me, based on my prescription. While I can dive with the traditional flat mask and no contacts, the "fine vision" that I have in air and with the HydroOptix mask is simply not there even though in both cases I am relying on the refractive index of water to take the place of a corrective lens.

Just wanted to share my personal experience including my two psi.

[comet24]

I where contacts when I dive also where them when I swim. Used them when I was a lifeguard years ago. No real problem and I have opened my eyes underwater without a mask. Found that it wasn't under water but just after you came out with water running down you face that there could be a problem.

Now I where disposable ones that you replace every two weeks so losing one is not the end of the world. I alway take a extra set with me just in case.

[CompuDude]

I've worn glasses nearly all my life (since the 2nd grade). I bring them on the boat, and am quite comfortable with them. I've worn contacts on and off over the years, but I've never liked them quite as much as glasses. I was *always* aware that something was in my eye, and always needed drops on hand. (And yes, I've been fit by the best in three states)

So bearing that in mind, it's perhaps not surprising that I prefer a prescription mask. I keep my mask on until I re-board the boat, and my glasses go on as soon as my hood comes off. No problem.

I will say, however, that I dove with contacts once when I was considering the HydroOptix mask, and I was surprised to learn I didn't mind them as much underwater as I did on land! First off, there is ZERO air movement in a mask, and secondly it tends to get somewhat warm and moist in there due to body heat, which explains the lack of discomfort. Of course, you'll have issues if your mask gets kicked off or something at any point in the dive.

But in the end, I prefer a good mask with a custom prescription. The drop in lenses can get you close enough for a good price, but only custom can correct astigmatism. The drop-ins are fine underwater, for me, esp. since water naturally negates some poor vision effects, but the custom ground lenses will give you sharpest vision on land. (Ok, you have to wear your mask a bit more, but it's nice to have sharp vision during a long surface swim, too.)

[Judestudio]

One problem I found with Rx mask is that if your vision change overtime, esp. for young divers who tend to have worsen vision as they grow older, it'll mean getting new lenses for the mask all the time, and they're not cheap. It therefore becomes more convenient and practical to go for the contact lens option.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by Judestudio

One problem I found with Rx mask is that if your vision change overtime, esp. for young divers who tend to have worsen vision as they grow older, it'll mean getting new lenses for the mask all the time, and they're not cheap. It therefore becomes more convenient and practical to go for the contact lens option.

Really? I've found the opposite. Underwater, it doesn't really need to be as precise. Obviously there will be extremes, but my first mask bought when I was certified at 16 still worked for me earlier this year (20 years later!) when I managed to lose two prescription masks faster than I could replace them. Not quite as sharp, but way better than going without. Masks don't really need to be updated quite as often as glasses do, because you only wear them for an hour or so every now and then, compared to the rest of the day, every day of the week for glasses. (Unless your job is underwater or something like that.)

[Judestudio]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Really? I've found the opposite. Underwater, it doesn't really need to be as precise. Obviously there will be extremes, but my first mask bought when I was certified at 16 still worked for me earlier this year (20 years later!) when I managed to lose two prescription masks faster than I could replace them. Not quite as sharp, but way better than going without. Masks don't really need to be updated quite as often as glasses do, because you only wear them for an hour or so every now and then, compared to the rest of the day, every day of the week for glasses. (Unless your job is underwater or something like that.)

Those are very good points. I haven't thought of it this way, yea I agree you don't really need precision underwater. I've got to say you've generally got quite a good vision there, same Rx lenses for 20 yrs (I know it's the mask, but still)! Taking myself for example I've gone from -2.25 to -3.75 in a year or so (too much computing...), and for me, I just find it convenient to wear contact lenses to correct my vision. I'm aware that if I ever have to open my eyes in the water, I don't think the lenses are going to stay. And I tend to use a fresh pair after the dives as well, coz contact lenses can trap bugs and cause infections....not nice.

[Joew]

Originally Posted by Judestudio

I'm aware that if I ever have to open my eyes in the water, I don't think the lenses are going to stay.

You'd be suprised. Mine stay in pretty while when I open up my eyes underwater. I still only open my eyes when I need to, and I always keep extras in my backpack. I've lost quite a few while surfing, though. Getting smacked around by waves will tend to do that.[img]smileys/smiley4.gif[/img]

[thesmoothdome]

I wear disposables, so losing contacts isn't really an issue for me. My wife wears the old fashion hard contacts, so losing one would suck. I wouldn't recommend open your eyes when you flood your mask, but naturally, I'm not really smart enough to take my own advice and I've yet to have one float away. For whatever reason, mine stay pretty well glued to my eyes.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by Judestudio

Those are very good points. I haven't thought of it this way, yea I agree you don't really need precision underwater. I've got to say you've generally got quite a good vision there, same Rx lenses for 20 yrs (I know it's the mask, but still)! Taking myself for example I've gone from -2.25 to -3.75 in a year or so (too much computing...), and for me, I just find it convenient to wear contact lenses to correct my vision. I'm aware that if I ever have to open my eyes in the water, I don't think the lenses are going to stay. And I tend to use a fresh pair after the dives as well, coz contact lenses can trap bugs and cause infections....not nice.

The prescription was noticeably weaker and less crisp, don't get me wrong. But I could still see more than well enough to do the job. If you think about it, the best vis you're ever likely to experience is 150'. You don't need eagle eyes to see that far. And the VAST majority of what you're looking at is 10' away or less. I'd much rather have my glasses, but I'm not so blind that I can't recognize a person at 10'. And that's really as good as you need to function quite well underwater.

And I definitely agree, the issue of open water in the eyes is one of contamination more than
losing a lens. Particularly in a lake or quarry, where there isn't a
lot of water movement.