Partially Blind diving

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GoBlues

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Location
St Louis / IL
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Has anyone had any experience with partially blind divers? I recently had something happen where I have lost all sight in my left eye, no reason on why or how long it will last. There was no head injury, illness, drug interaction etc.
I still have excellent vision in my right eye though.
 
GoBlues, it looks like you are a fairly new diver. So you really do not have a great deal of experience with both eyes, and that can be good. Realize that you have lost the three-dimensional vision, as well as the field to the left of you. I would recommend getting a wide-view mask with three windows sometimes called a "wrap-around" or tri-view mask. Here are some examples:

Image for Genesis Tri-View Panoramic Scuba Dive Mask Black

Masks - Avanti FL Side-view Edgeless Mask - Promate USA

Wraparound

There are several others, including a Scubapro one which is no longer being made, but is available from LeasurePro:

ScubaPro Crystal Vu Plus Dive Mask w/ Purge

Usually, I don't like clear silicone masks because of internal reflections (light coming through the skirt and reflecting off the front lens). This may or may not be a consideration for you, as this will increase the amount of light you see too through the one good eye. 'Just some thoughts.

Best wishes,

SeaRat
 
I dont see why that would stop you from diving. I agree with John..maybe a 3 window with a clear skirt might make you more comfortable?

That must be scary..I hope your vision returns soon and is 100%!Best of luck to you!
 
Has anyone had any experience with partially blind divers? I recently had something happen where I have lost all sight in my left eye, no reason on why or how long it will last. There was no head injury, illness, drug interaction etc.
I still have excellent vision in my right eye though.

GoBlues, were you checked for central retinal artery occlusion? If not, I recommend doing so immediately. This condition is one of the newest UHMD-approved indications for hyperbaric oxgygen therapy and its response to treatment is very time-dependent.
 
Not a doctor and the following is NOT medical advice, just a theoritical discussion.

What is an issue is the "why?". A physician would be the place to start and of course it could be a dive related injury so don't forget to contact Divers Alert Network (DAN). Potential dive injuries are often time sensitive, the quicker you get help, the better. Dive injuries can surface in minutes to days after a dive. Call DAN if there is a remote possibility it is dive related.

As a SCUBA diver it is impotant to your medical care that you inform your physician that you SCUBA dive. Unfortunalty not all physicians are as quick on the uptake as others so it also important that you go on and tell them "I am telling you this not just to make conversation, but so you can consider this in my medical care and know that I am exposed to additional sources of infection, parasites and/or injuries that the averge person would not encounter."

I have taught blind divers. Being blind, partially blind etc does not mean you can't SCUBA dive. The Handicapped SCUBA Association International (HSA) is in 45 countries and celebrating over 31 years of certifing divers. HSA certifes individuals with disabilities including paraplegic, quadraplegic, amputee, blind, MS etc. As an HSA Instructor it has been my privilage to teach a blind student and to do a discover scuba at the Califrornia School for the Blind. In your case, since you still have full vision in one eye it is a non-issue. You just have to work a little harder to keep situational awarness of what is going on to your left. Don't forget to tell your dive buddy you can't see to your left and to discuss where they will be positioned (on your right or on your left).
 
Thanks folks, I went to a specialist a couple days ago and I have a text book case of Optic Neurtis. I started getting some vison back last friday night and it has been getting better everyday (Only a little but I'll take it), and the doc says it will take weeks to get full vision back in the eye. May not get back to 20/20 though, but since I was 20/15 to start with I'll be happy with 20/anything lol!
 

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