Does anyone use contacts for diving?

[DougNR]

I'm struggling with the choices to improve my vision while diving...
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<DIV>I've always been near sighted. Years ago, it didn't really matter much as my correction was minor. These days I know I'm at a disadvantage and need to do something about it, but as usual the pro and cons of the choices gets tough!</DIV>
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<DIV>I've been planning to get a new Mares mask from ST with prescription lenses, but either Larry or Joe (can't recall which) mentioned there would be a new HydroOptix 3.5mask coming out soon. This happens to be pretty close to my correction, so I could probably dive without having to negatively correct for the mask itself. </DIV>
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<DIV>In the mean time I've been thinking about getting contact lenses just for use while diving. Obviously there would be a risk of loosing contacts from flooded mask etc, but I can't think of any dangerous issues from wearing (soft) cantacts. What do you guys think?</DIV>
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<DIV>While I'm at it, based on personal experiences what would you consider the best choice between:</DIV>
<DIV>1) Just use contacts with a non-prescription mask.</DIV>
<DIV>2) Spend $110(ish) for a mask with prescription lenses.</DIV>
<DIV>3) Hold out for the HydroOptix 3.5 mask.</DIV>
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<DIV>Thanks very much</DIV>
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<DIV>Doug</DIV>
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[Illini_Fan]

hmmmm - not sure if I'm gonna be able to answer everypart of your question. I've had contacts for 20 years and dive with them. Mask clearing drills are a little more challenging since I don't want to open my ears until I'm sure the mask is cleared, but in my limited experience thus far I haven't had an issue.

If you are going to get contacts for just diving and nothing else, I'd probably try option 2 or 3. The exam will run you nearly the same amount as the mask with lens and then you will have the cost of the contacts.

[3rdEye]

how bad are your eyes?
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<DIV>i dive with contacts, but if I lost one, it wouldn't be an issue for me to be without....I can drive without them, etc.</DIV>
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<DIV>at any rate, I think it's good to being glasses or a spare set of contacts with in case you need them.</DIV>

[DDGator]

I use soft contacts and I have had no problem in my limited experience. If I lost one (or both), I could still see my computer and would just start an ascent.

[Venio]

I use Mares X-Vision from ST[img]smileys/smiley1.gif[/img].
When I bought it I had the intention to buy later prescription lens for
it since I'm -3.5 diopter nearsighted. However, after few dives I can't
find any reason to get the lens and will stick with the contacts.




As for the HydroOptix, I have no experience with them. You may want to try them in the pool at ST before spending $200.

[Venio]

I forgot to mention the pair of contacts in my Save-a-drive kit. LOL [img]smileys/smiley36.gif[/img]

[GottaDiveMore]

I have been diving for about 5 years with soft contacts. no problems, except the arms are getting a bit short. just switched to RGP (hard lenses). they say you can dive with these (DAN concurred) - but not sure if i will try.
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<DIV>Anyone else dove with RGP lenses ?</DIV>

[guggie]

I am quite near sighted, using -3.5 and -3.75 for my correction. Since I am also farsighted (presbyopia), I have been using monovision. My left contact lens is "de-tuned" for near vision. It is now -2.25. This works fine during the day and in the office, and I use the same lenses (Focus Night and Day soft extended wear silicone lens) for diving. My near vision could still use some more help so I'm about to try some stick on magnifiers in my mask today. I'll post back on how they are.

Mask clearing is fine. The lenses don't readily wash out like you might think. I used to have a corrected mask as a teenager. That would be ok, but still would not correct for the near vision problems we get as we age. Plus, you can't see a **** thing when you take off your mask at a boat's edge, etc.

[medic001918]

I dive with contacts all the time. I haven't had any issues and I've never lost a contact while diving. The only thing I'm careful of is I try not to open my eyes until I've cleared my mask. Otherwise, it's just happy diving. I know many divers who dive with contacts without complications.


Shane

[lucidblue]

Originally Posted by Venio

I forgot to mention the pair of contacts in my Save-a-drive kit. LOL [img]smileys/smiley36.gif[/img]

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.