Are you thinking about diving and snorkeling but worried because you have poor eyesight? Diving and snorkeling, unlike other activities such as flying a fighter jet, does not require perfect vision. But it will be less enjoyable if your vision is blurry because the main reason why we dive in to see the beautiful things underwater. It will also help you to see the hand signals of your dive buddy clearly. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry because there’s a solution to that problem.
If you only have a mild vision problem, you might not need to worry about a corrective solution for diving or snorkeling. It is because objects appear 25% closer and 33% larger when underwater. Also, you may be able to get by with your contact lenses when diving. Though this works for some, there are disadvantages in using it. First is you can lose them easily. Water can enter your mask and it when flood it to clear it you might have your contact lenses washed out and that could be a major problem depending on how deep you are, your location and how poor your eyesight is without them. Another is it can become painful to have them in your eyes when the pressure underwater is increased.
To avoid risks, the best way to see clearly underwater when you have poor eyesight is by using prescription diving masks. Most of the scuba diving manufacturers offer diving masks which can be customized with your prescription. These diving masks come in different kinds.
Bonded Corrective Lenses:
These lenses are glued to the inside of the diving mask. If you already have a diving mask, you can bring it to a dive shop together with your glasses prescription. They will cut lenses according to the shape of your diving mask. They use a special glue to bond it into the mask. It usually takes a week for it to be made and it may cost around a couple of hundred dollars. The downside of this kind of lens is it adds weight to your diving mask.
Custom Prescription Lenses:
Unlike the bonded lenses, the whole lens of your diving mask will be replaced by a customized glass with your prescription. Though it may cost more at around three hundred dollars, it will be worth it because you will get better results especially if you have stronger prescriptions. It also weighs less and can be a perfect fit for you.
Drop-In Lens Mask:
This kind of mask is easier to use since its design allows you to remove the lenses easily and replace them with pre-made corrected lenses. Though, this kind is not advisable for those who have strong prescriptions. This mask costs less at under one hundred dollars, and you can purchase corrective lenses for only around fifty dollars.
If you use reading glasses, or if you are farsighted, you may purchase small stick-on magnifying lenses. These will help you read small print like the numbers in the submersible pressure gauge. You may also purchase them online at around twenty dollars. You just have to stick them to the lower part of your mask and you now have a bi-focal diving mask.
Also, remember to have your eyes checked again before purchasing a diving mask to make sure that you will order the correct prescription. You should keep in mind to also bring your usual eyeglasses so you can wear them after the diving activity. You can also contact your dive shop in advance because some of them have optical masks which you can rent that might work well enough. You can let them know about your requirements so they can check if there’s any available for you. You should also bring an extra prescription mask if you plan to do a lot of diving activities. It can serve as a replacement if your diving mask breaks or if you lose it. This is important especially when you’re going in a remote diving spot where you have no backup options.
See, it’s really not a problem if you have poor eyesight and you want to try snorkeling and diving. You just need to select the best diving mask with your prescription and you’re ready to go. You’ll sure enjoy these activities just like those who have perfect eyesight. Don’t let having a blurry vision keep you from seeing the wonderful things under the sea.