If your vision needs correcting you might be worried about how you will see underwater.
Seeing Clearly © Coyobo
- Contact Lenses
If you do use contact lenses, then you should not worry about using them for diving. Losing them is unlikely, making sure you are holding your mask when jumping in will reduce the risk as will closing your eyes when clearing it. You should always wear your mask until you are safely on the shore or boat and this will also reduce the risk of loss too. That said, it’s prudent to have a spare pair handy. - Prescription Lenses
First and foremost you want to make sure that the mask you are choosing is comfortable and fits correctly. However while most major manufacturers offer prescription lens solutions, it’s not likely that every mask can be easily converted, there will be a selection to choose from. Also, note that not every retailer will stock every brand which will reduce your choice further. Shop around and try mask fittings from different brands from their range that will accept their prescription lenses. Once you have chosen your mask, you will need to buy the lenses separately. To do this, you will need to know your prescription. It is possible that you won’t be able to match your prescription exactly but remember that water does have a magnifying effect. You can fit these lenses yourself, but for a minimal cost, it’s worth having the professionals do this for you.
If you struggle with mask fitting and the mask that you prefer is not covered by an option produced by the manufacturer, then there are independent companies that will tailor make lenses to fit into your mask. This solution is by far the most costly option and will involve sending your mask off for fitting. Tusa offer a cost effective solution to this problem. They sell a universal optical frame which fits inside most single lens masks and is secured by flexible arms. Vision correction is limited to the same correction in each lens. - Gauge Reading
If all you need is a little help to read your gauges that there are a few options. Some masks come ready made with a built-in lens in the lower corners, angled down for gauge reading purposes. There are also a variety of push on and stick on lenses which can be applied to your existing mask. - Magnifying glass
Ok, a bit clunky and you might end up feeling a bit like a pipe-smoking detective from years gone by, but many divers use them for the sole purpose of spotting the tiniest of nudibranch and itty bitty critters when muck diving. - Surgery
Slightly drastic but effective and long lasting, surgery will have benefits outside of scuba too. Yes, you can still dive after surgery, but you should follow advice as to how long you need to heal before jumping in.
