Do I Really Need a Prescription Mask?

[Mike126]

Earlier this year I was looking at ordering a prescription mask. Well after doing more research and getting my eyes checked (new prescription) I'm not sure I need one....

My new prescription is: Right(OD) Sphere = -1.0 and Cylinder = -1.0 Left (OS) Sphere = -1.75 and Cylinder = -1.0

I was looking at the standard lenses that are offered by the manufacturers that replace the existing mask lens and it seems most start at a -1.5 diopter. I could go with a custom prescription mask but I'm not sure the benefit gained would be justified. Did I just save myself $200???

I thought I read somewhere that underwater vision is corrected by about 1 diopter.

 

[underH2Oman]

I would recommend that you should get stock diopters lenses of Right -1.5 and left -2. You will benefit from corrective lenses but you do not need to get full prescription lenses in my opinion.

 

[Sieg@VU]

Totally agree with under H2O, this one has been very popular with our customers: Deep See Clarity Mask with Optics - Visibility Unlimited

 

[scottishscuba]

I looked into prescription masks last year and came to the conclusion that I'd continue to wear contact lenses! I have a funny shaped nose and masks with 2 separate lenses hurt my nose so a prescription mask was out of the question. I think one of the main problems with prescription masks is the field of view that you have with them. Its apparently much lower than a standard mask. I decided that I could see enough with my current prescription even if I lost a lens. My prescription is similar to yours and I wear contact lenses that I leave in for a month at a time, no poking yourself in the eye twice daily!

 

[Pearlman]

This is inreresting to me - So you are able to leave the contacts in place after a dive when you've cleared a flooded mask underwater? Isnt there a risk of infection? Doesnt the contact lens get displaced by water or current or splashing?

My number is only -1 and a prescription mask isnt worth the cost. But contacts look like an easy option if I can trust your experience. I have never worn contacts because of a fear of infection, perhaps I should reconsider...

What kind of contacts would you recommend for scuba?

Thanks

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~G0bble
Sent from mobile, please excuse brevity and typos.

 

[scububa]

I've worn contacts for many years and have dove in them for 10 years. I have done drills (to include mask removal in cave training) and I fill and clear my mask often. At times, I actually leave a bit of water in my mask just to swish it around to keep the fogging down. I have been kicked a few times that loosen the mask. I have never had an infection problem and never lost one.

FWIW
I wear the soft type of lens that are usually about two week replaceable. I dive mostly fresh water, but have dove them in salt and fresh.
I always take extra contacts on trips as a backup, but never have had to use them.

 

[Mike126]

So if I go with contacts or a full correction lens then I will need bifocals to read my gauges. My bifocal correction with contacts is +1.75. With no lenses in or glasses on I can see my gauges fine.

Maybe I should stay with a non prescription mask. I was trying to determine if the correction for my prescription was going to make that big of a difference.


Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tigerman]

As long as you get contacts that FIT theres no problem diving with them. I have lost ONE and that was not the diving but me being dumb and rubbing my eye...

 

[spectrum]

Stock lenses will not correct the cylinder, usually astigmatism. Does it matter? Maybe not.

Go to someplace that sells plain old straight diopter reading glasses (like Wal-Mart) and see if they provide adequate correction. You will use 2 pairs to check your eyes individually.

Pete

 

[Tigerman]

Theres no problem getting toric lenses.. I use them myself