contacts vs prescription goggles

[Kevrumbo]

Another option is a mask with a nose purge valve --if you must wear hard contact lenses (for those of us divers with Keratoconus and cannot correct for visual acuity with regular prescription glasses). If one inadvertently pops out, you can still retain it if you have to clear your mask of water by virtue of the purge valve. Otherwise if you clear your mask conventionally, you will lose that expensive lens.


The downside is a nose purge valve mask leaves a pressure sore on your nostrils/external septum after several weeks of continuous diving.

 

[navi_jen]

I wear disposables, since I find my eyes tend to dry out with the wind from the boat. I also wear full coverage (cycling) sunglasses to keep the wind off my eyes (with clear or yellow lenses on cloudy days). I agree with having a spare set on the boat with you...and since they are disposable, I don't feel bad about popping one out (or losing one!).

I have, though, become a bit more cautious around others under water. If someone's foot is near my head, I tend to let my hand wander up in front of or onto my mask....just to make sure my mask doesn't get kicked off. I have thought about a cheap 2nd (prescription) mask just in case...but never pulled the plug for it. Also, if you squint very hard, usually your contacts will stay put, even with the mask off. I do this in the pool all the time

 

[Skittl1321]

I wear glasses in normal life, but have dailies for vacation. I am very glad I use contacts when diving. I think a prescription mask would be a pain because then I'd have to deal with glasses on the boat. At least the way the boat was set up, you didn't have a "spot"- you'd be moved around to balance the boat while it was moving, to be in the right place to switch your gear, etc. So you'd have to fumble around finding your glasses in your dry bag in the cabin, or hope they didn't get lost in the shuffle on the seats.

 

[Wingy]

I used to wear contacts but have lost one (you dont swim in circles, just close the eye your lens is missing from!) but as I often dive very remote and in some places with limited if any electricity it became a PITA to get them in before a dive so I went to a prescription mask and have been very happy with it. I am very shortsighted so my sunglasses are prescription also so no dramas taking mask off and putting sunnies on on the boat. I do carry a spare mask that is not optical and a spare set of lenses just in case. One advantage.....no one has grabbed my mask by mistake.

 

[RMAdventure]

I also wore contacts for my pool and check out dives. I kept my eyes closed for most of it, but did briefly open them while doing the buddy swim while sharing air in the pool. So far I haven't had any problems with the contacts.

 

[scubadivesd]

I have heard that Sea Vision is a good option. I know that SportRx.com carries a variety of sunglasses and goggles for various sports. I would contact their opticians to find exactly what you are looking for.

 

[socaldiver2]

LASIK- best money I ever spent


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[stuartv]

LASIK- best money I ever spent


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Me, too! +1,000,000!!

 

[Lorenzoid]

Some of us have been told we are poor candidates for LASIK for one reason or another. Otherwise, I would have done it long ago. I've been wearing contacts for the past almost 35 years. Oh well.

 

[stuartv]

Hey, Lorenzoid. They're improving that stuff all the time. If you haven't checked in with a laser eye specialist lately, you might do so. What they couldn't do for you before, they might be able to do now. I know they used to not be able to correct astigmatism and I believe they can now. At least, if you find the right doc.