Close vision

[eddie the pink]

Okay I am a newby diver having qualified earlier this year, my main problem is close up vision, and I have been looking at all the possibilities available, the prescription mask seems a bit to expensive for something that could change quite quickly (prescription), and the stick on option sounds to be a bit hit and miss, while I have been searching for other options I was surprised to see that some just take a hand held magnifer, so I have 2 main questions, first does this work ?, and secondly but more important, as I do not fancy holding onto a magnifying glass, has anyone thought of the possibility of having a "flip up" version on the front of the mask (just like the clip on sunglasses that go onto regular specs). or....am I just being a ......

[ScubaSarus]

As one who likes inventions and have lost my close vision recently, I think youar barking up the right tree. I agree with the flip ups or a magnifier if I can find a good quality one (you need good optics as there are a lot of cheep ones out there that don't work good).

Im just thinking of some way to attach reading glass lenes or something like that making a bifocal mask.

[eddie the pink]

Well I am now happy to know that with your response I am not a dork (or we are both dorks, who know) anyways you are thinking along the same lines as myself, if you could get some type of flip up attachment that could be mounted onto the mask that would support your standard prescription glasses, or just a +magnifier, then that has to be a cheap and simple way to see close up

[Rick Inman]

Standard magnifying glass does not work underwater, I'm told. Here's an OLD link that talks about how to make one that will: Magnifying Glass

I use mono vision contact lenses to solve that issue - that's one contact for distance, and one for close up - and I love it! The brain adjusts depending on the focal point and I can see clearly both far away, and read my gauges close up.

[CamG]

Greetings eddie the pink from frozen Indiana! First of all I feel your pain, I have started to struggle with my vision in the last two years. It is a challenge to ponder contacts, script. masks, those nasty stick-ons, etc. The one thing I have decided is I will do what ever it takes to stay in the water!
Corrective surgery, glasses, contacts, script. masks, even stick ons! I guess when faced with the non-diving alternative nothing is out of bounds!
I have decided to form a plan with my opto."eye doctor" and experiment to find the best options for me. It is not a cheap thing to ponder and my family vision history is not good. I guess we will do the best we can.
I have not tried the data mask with contacts but it might be an option. Whatever the option, it is going to be more in depth planning to ensure safety and to not loose or harm the $$$$$ items!
I will keep my ears open and ask around. If I come across some good information I will see you get it! Good luck brother, don't loose heart! Medical researchers are doing things that are nothing short of amazing. In our near future we might not have to wear external devices to correct our vision! Keep it real and dive safe!
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!

[D_B]

Standard magnifying glass does not work underwater, I'm told. Here's an OLD link that talks about how to make one that will: Magnifying Glass

I use mono vision contact lenses to solve that issue - that's one contact for distance, and one for close up - and I love it! The brain adjusts depending on the focal point and I can see clearly both far away, and read my gauges close up.

Thats what I did, works great! ... many people can adjust quite readily to having differing vision in each eye

[TSandM]

The monovision contact lens is a good option for those who can tolerate contact lenses, although the total cost of acquiring them is probably greater than putting bifocals in your mask. The Diveoptix are a great IDEA, but they don't stick well, and losing three of them cost me more than altering my mask. I know there are some people who have glued their own reader lenses into masks with some type of silicone glue that stays clear. I gave up and had mine professionally done, and it's very nice, because I was able to prescribe exactly how much of the mask lens I wanted covered with the bifocals.

You do cry when the ocean extracts your mask for tribute, though . . .

[diver 85]

see(no pun intended) your eye doctor---he/she should be able to satisfy your needs......

[D_B]

good point about contacts ... I hate them, so "tolerate" is the correct word

[eddie the pink]

Well I must admit I have never worn contacts, but it sounds like a simple way forward, split brain allowing, do you ever have a problem with them coming out during a dive?, and how would they react to mask flooding ?