36 replies to this topic

[Dejah]

Hi all,

I need some advice on being a bit Optically Challenged in my diving. Recently in the past few years I've found myself having to start to wear glasses for reading only and not everyday so far. Yet one problem I have noticed when diving and when I was taking my classes it's difficult sometimes for me to read the gauges up close and get an accurate reading with that problem.

I've tried getting the little plastic inserts that go into a mask for this, but wonder if they are going to stay in place or come loose which can be a big distraction. I haven't made any purchases of my BC nor Regulator yet, but I am looking for suggestions on something that would be easier for me to read.

Thanks,
Dejah

[Walter]

You can have bifocals put in your mask. If you don't need bifocals, it's even easier.

[DandyDon]

I can certainly sympathize - with the problem, at least...

I get Cell Phone customers in griping that they can't read the numbers on the screen in certain light situations or some other typically American belly ache. I look them in the eye and say: "I know you're over 40; where are your glasses?" "I won't wear any!" "Well, there you are." Usually haven't had their eyes checked in 5 years.

Most people over 40 are vision challenged, it seems, some more than others, some sooner. That's about as long as the human body was designed to last, so we're lucky, I think.

My solution was to bite the bullet and buy a Sea Vision flat top bifocal mask with upper and lower lens per my recent eye exam prescription, although I'm sure there are lessor solutions. I just wanted to see the fish and my guages, both.

And I never use the words "Budget" and "Scuba" on the same page...

good luck...

Edited by DandyDon, 06 April 2004 - 01:42 PM.

[Diverlady]

There's always:
Prescription dive masks.

Other than that, I'm not much help.

Diverlady

Edited by Diverlady, 06 April 2004 - 01:48 PM.

[DandyDon]

I haven't made any purchases of my BC nor Regulator yet, but I am looking for suggestions on something that would be easier for me to read.

Wow?! Reading back over this, I noticed that remark that I'd missed...

After seeing others struggle with rented BCs and Regs, malfucntions, misunderstandings, etc. - I certainly think a diver should own his/her own!

Got anything to mortgage...?

[Dejah]

Got anything to mortgage...?

YIKES!!! I don't think I'd want to go to that extent...

But, thanks everyone else so far for the suggestions.

[Bubble2Bubble]

Dejah
You know me from coz and where about the same age. I'm wearing glass's for computer work and reading and so far i havnt noticed a problem reading my gauges but I'm sure the time will come to get those special lens for my mask. i think everyone has there priorities in life and part of diving is the visual site's. soo here's a place to start www.scubatoys.com

[DiveScoop]

Hi all,

I need some advice on being a bit Optically Challenged in my diving. Recently in the past few years I've found myself having to start to wear glasses for reading only and not everyday so far. Yet one problem I have noticed when diving and when I was taking my classes it's difficult sometimes for me to read the gauges up close and get an accurate reading with that problem.

I've tried getting the little plastic inserts that go into a mask for this, but wonder if they are going to stay in place or come loose which can be a big distraction. I haven't made any purchases of my BC nor Regulator yet, but I am looking for suggestions on something that would be easier for me to read.

Thanks,
Dejah

Hey there. I suggest you talk to Kamala. Ask her about the SeaVision option. They make a great prescription dive mask (use it myself).

Scoop

[WreckWench]

Hey there. I suggest you talk to Kamala. Ask her about the SeaVision option. They make a great prescription dive mask (use it myself).

Scoop

Sorry...somehow I missed this thread....yes I am the SeaVisions rep for Texas and they make a wonderful mask with full or just gauge reader prescriptions in them. Many local LDS's carry them including your favorite...BlueDolphinScuba.

Others in the area include Emerald Sea Divers, DiveWest, For Divers Only, etc.

The gauge reader is excellent for someone who needs the ability to read gauges but don't need a full prescription. They are built into the lenses and they come in color correction for no extra charge including rose for color loss and yellow for maximum vision in low light or low vis diving.

Let me know if I can answer anything else for you! - Kamala aka Wreck Wench

[Walter]

Do they come without color?

[WreckWench]

Do they come without color?

Yes they do...color is no additional charge. We even have a mask that has color skins you can snap on so you have all three...clear, yellow and rose.

[Dejah]

Hey there. I suggest you talk to Kamala. Ask her about the SeaVision option. They make a great prescription dive mask (use it myself).

Scoop

Sorry...somehow I missed this thread....yes I am the SeaVisions rep for Texas and they make a wonderful mask with full or just gauge reader prescriptions in them. Many local LDS's carry them including your favorite...BlueDolphinScuba.

Others in the area include Emerald Sea Divers, DiveWest, For Divers Only, etc.

The gauge reader is excellent for someone who needs the ability to read gauges but don't need a full prescription. They are built into the lenses and they come in color correction for no extra charge including rose for color loss and yellow for maximum vision in low light or low vis diving.

Let me know if I can answer anything else for you! - Kamala aka Wreck Wench

Thanks for the information, I will have to look into this.

[Laura]

Hi all,

I need some advice on being a bit Optically Challenged in my diving. Recently in the past few years I've found myself having to start to wear glasses for reading only and not everyday so far. Yet one problem I have noticed when diving and when I was taking my classes it's difficult sometimes for me to read the gauges up close and get an accurate reading with that problem.

I've tried getting the little plastic inserts that go into a mask for this, but wonder if they are going to stay in place or come loose which can be a big distraction. I haven't made any purchases of my BC nor Regulator yet, but I am looking for suggestions on something that would be easier for me to read.

Thanks,
Dejah

Hi Dejah,

I'm not sure if we are talking about the same thing. but I have corrective lenses that are glued directly to the inside of my mask. :ph34r: I have used this mask for 18 years, and the lenses have held up just fine. In fact, the mask itself has held up great...other than having to replace a worn out mask strap, no problems.

What's really interesting is that, despite the fact that my vision prescription has changed over the years, I can still see just fine using the same prescription from so many years ago. perhaps it is the magnifying effect that water has, maybe it helps me see...


If you wear contacts, you can wear them with your mask, but you run the risk of losing them ifyou should flood your mask. Of course, if you have disposible lenses, that's not such a big deal.

Hope this helps
Laura

[CuriousMe]

Another perspective might be to buy a gauge that you can see well. When you're renting you're kind of at the mercy of what the LDS has....but when you buy your reg you could make sure you get a gauge or computer that you can read without a prescription.

Personally, I wear glasses for work.....I tend to need them for computer work or reading (I can read without them, but if I do it for to long I get a headache). I don't wear them all the time....but have noticed the world just looks a bit softer without them

My .02

Peace,
Cathie

[sunlover]

Dejah, I see three options for your vision "issue": 1. SeaVision presciption mask 2. Get a REALLY BIG gauge so that reading it is like reading the top row on the vision chart. 3. Don't worry about those silly gauges. Just one less distraction on your dive. See if you can find one of those old J-valves for your tank so that when you run out of air you can flip the switch on the valve and get enough air to get back to the surface. It makes each dive special. Tom