The Ultimate Guide to Scuba Diving with Glasses or Contacts

If you need vision correction, you may feel like it holds you back from engaging in certain activities. However, scuba diving shouldn’t be one of them, as there are easy, affordable solutions to help you keep safe on your dives.

Whether you’re short-sighted, long-sighted or suffer from astigmatism, you can still immerse yourself in the beauty of the marine world in perfect clarity.

Join us as we discuss the pitfalls of wearing contact lenses and the benefits of kitting yourself out with a fully custom-made prescription lens mask. Oh, and we’ll also tell you why you shouldn’t even consider wearing glasses underneath your scuba mask.

Scuba diving with glasses

It’s not recommended that you scuba dive while wearing glasses for a multitude of reasons, including:

• Poor fit: Glasses are unlikely to fit nicely under a scuba mask, making your mask vulnerable to flooding, as well as feeling uncomfortable to wear.
• Fogging: Unfortunately, glasses are vulnerable to fogging up if worn under a scuba mask, completely restricting your vision.
• Damage to the glasses: The changing of water pressure at depth leaves your glasses at risk of being damaged.

If you do wear glasses, there’s no need to despair, you’ll still be able to dive. Let’s look at the other options available to you.

Scuba diving with contact lenses

Scuba diving with contact lenses is a safer alternative to scuba diving with glasses on. However, there are risks involved, especially if you have the wrong type of lenses on. Here are how the two types of contact lenses differ when scuba diving:

Hard contact lenses

It is recommended that you steer clear of hard contact lenses for scuba diving. Hard lenses don’t allow gases to penetrate, which can result in gas bubbles forming between the lens and the cornea, blurring vision during your dives. There’s also the risk of the lenses drying out while you’re underwater, due to the changes in pressure at greater depths.

On top of that, hard contact lenses leave you vulnerable if your mask were to flood. As they are smaller, they are more likely to fall out of your eyes than their softer alternatives.

Soft contact lenses

Soft contact lenses are not gas-permeable, so you won’t face the issue of blurred vision due to a build-up of gas bubbles behind the lenses. They also allow nitrogen to escape, which reduces the risk of experiencing symptoms of motion sickness while underwater.

Perhaps most importantly, softer contact lenses are more comfortable when underwater, as they don’t allow oxygen in, which reduces irritation.

While soft contact lenses are the best option of the two, they are still vulnerable to issues, especially when exposed to water.

Pros and cons of contact lenses

Pros:

• Fit underneath a mask: Unlike glasses, contact lenses can be worn without being a hindrance to the rest of your scuba mask.
• Adaptable: Soft contact lenses tend to adapt well to the change in pressures as you descend deeper.
• No need to invest in specialist equipment: If you already use soft contact lenses daily, you won’t have to invest in any eyesight-related equipment to go diving.

Cons:

• Can be lost: There’s always a risk that you might lose the lenses if your eyes are exposed to water.
• Irritation: Contact lenses may pick up debris, causing irritation to your eyes during dives.
• Gas bubbles: Gas bubbles will often form between hard lenses and the cornea, blurring your vision and causing pain.

Scuba diving with a prescription mask

While scuba diving with soft contact lenses is a viable option, it pales in comparison to diving with a prescription scuba mask. Wearing a prescription scuba mask takes away any potential complications that could arise when wearing contact lenses underwater, allowing you to absorb your surroundings in perfect clarity.

Getting your own bespoke prescription mask is relatively simple, but it does leave you with a decision to make over which type you opt for. Here are the options available to you:

Custom-made prescription masks

Getting a custom-made prescription diving mask is more of an investment, as the mask will be made to your exact specifications. However, this will ensure that your mask is tailored to your eyesight, making for perfect vision when you’re underwater.

Ready-made prescription masks

Unlike custom-made options, ready-made prescription masks are made for standard prescriptions, making them less accurate for their user. However, this does mean that they are considerably more affordable, while still improving your underwater vision.

Drop-in lens prescription masks

If you don’t want to fork out the amount of cash required to buy a custom-made mask, drop-in lens masks may be your best option. They feature removable lenses that can be replaced with prescription lenses, which is ideal for longevity, as eyesight changes over time.

Types of lenses available

Just like normal glasses, there are two main types of lenses for prescription scuba masks. These are:

• Short-distance lenses: These lenses provide clear vision for those who struggle to see things that are in close proximity to them.
• Long-distance lenses: These lenses are for short-sighted people who struggle to see things that are further away from them.

Pros and cons of prescription scuba masks

Pros:

• Changeable: A lot of prescription scuba masks can be modified to fit all prescription requirements.
• Risk-free: Wearing a prescription scuba mask eliminates the risks associated with wearing contact lenses while underwater, allowing you to see clearly with added peace of mind.
• Great visibility: Prescription scuba masks offer great visibility underwater, which will enhance your experience when diving.
• Variety: Prescription masks can be made to suit your exact eyesight, whether you’re short or long-sighted.

Cons:

• Need replacing: Eyesight changes throughout life, meaning the prescription mask you have now may not suit your eyesight in 10 years’ time.
• Cost: Naturally, prescription scuba masks tend to cost more than traditional scuba masks, especially if they are custom-made. For most divers, it’s well worth the investment to enhance their experience at some of the world’s most beautiful diving spots.

See clearly with Dive Sight

Poor vision doesn’t have to get in the way of an unforgettable scuba diving adventure. At Dive Sight, we’re proud to provide prescription-lens scuba masks that ensure you’ll experience the surrealism of the marine world in perfect clarity.

We have a wide range of products to suit all face shapes and sizes, and all age ranges, to ensure everyone can experience the joy of diving. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.