Contacts vs Prescription lenses

[LCFrigon]

Hi everyone. This is a 2 part question.

1) Which do people find better using contacts or prescription masks?

2) If contacts do purge masks make a difference?

Sorry if this was already asked..

thanks!

[BobbyWombat]

1. I wear contacts when diving, and prefer it over a prescription mask. My main reason for this is so that I don't have to hassle with glasses topside. (OR wear my mask around on the boat )

2. I'm not a big fan of purge masks, mostly because I see it as an unnecessary gimmick. You at least have a lot more choices of the non-purge variety to make sure you get a good fit.

With proper technique I would bet that you can clear a normal mask faster than the purge variety. So, no real advantage to it. (plus, one more thing that can break or wear out)

My advice: get a quality non-purge mask, and practice until you are fully comfortable clearing it. You stand a better chance of getting a good fit and are no more prone to flooding.

[ReefHound]

Lasik.

[Illini_Fan]

No experience with prescription mask. I dive with my contacts for similar reasons as BobbyWombat pointed out. Clearing doesn't seem to be an issue, I just keep my eyes closed.

[Venio]

1) Contacts. Clearing is not a problem, I even open a little bit my eyes without the mask and haven't loose a contact yet.

2) Purge valve - solution to a problem that doesn't exist!

[subsur]

contact lenses. cheap and convenient
no purge valve. no need for it and it may irritate the skin

[Roggen]

I use contacts and love them. I have only lost one contact but didn't notice it until I went to take them out (weak prescription). I don't have a mask with the purge feature and have not had any problems.

I like the versatility of having a regular mask without prescription. If I lose it I don't have to worry about expensive prescription lenses for a new one.

[Texas_Aggie06]

use contacts. no problem clearing. but, hey i've been swimming with my eyes open with contacts since i was in junior high. i've probably only lost 5 contacts total in that whole time.

[russp]

I guess I'm the odd diver out. I've chosen to go the prescription mask route. I have a pretty heavy prescription (-9 & -10) and contacts get uncomfortable for me fast. I use an optician in New York (by email) who is both a diver and the inventor (according to his site) of the prescription mask. I liked that he wanted ALL the measurements of my prescription, not just dioptor and that he had me go locally to see which Tusa mask fit best and then recommended the closest to it that would hold the prescription well.

[CompuDude]

If you already wear contacts, like them, and are comfortable with them, no need to change.

If you wear glasses, however, no need to get contacts just for diving. Stick with prescription masks. Far less complicated and no chance of eye issues. Just don't lose it.

I love my prescription mask, personally, and contacts always bother me, so I'll stick to what I've got.