If you are wearing contact lenses and considering scuba diving, you might be wondering: can you scuba dive with contact lenses? The short answer is yes, you can. However, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind to ensure your safety and comfort underwater.
Scuba Diving with Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are generally safe to wear while scuba diving. Soft contact lenses, in particular, are preferred because they allow gas exchange and are less likely to cause discomfort or eye irritation underwater. Here’s what you should consider:
1. Water Contamination:
The biggest concern with wearing contact lenses while diving is the risk of water contamination. Ocean water can contain bacteria and other microorganisms that might lead to infections if they come into contact with your lenses. To minimize this risk, make sure to keep your mask secure and avoid removing it underwater.
2. Mask Flooding:
If your mask floods or gets knocked off, there's a chance your lenses could be dislodged or lost. To prepare for this possibility, practice clearing your mask and consider bringing an extra pair of lenses or glasses as a backup. If you are considering taking your PADI Open Water, mask flooding is one of the required skills to perform, so have a chat with your instructor before starting the course so they can give you some advice.
3. Vision Clarity:
Soft contact lenses can sometimes absorb small amounts of water, which may slightly blur your vision. While this usually isn’t a major issue, it’s something to be aware of, especially in low-visibility conditions.
4. Disposable Lenses:
If you’re concerned about hygiene, consider using daily disposable lenses. You can wear a fresh pair for each dive, reducing the risk of infection.
Can I wear glasses while scuba diving?
Unfortunately, traditional glasses are not practical for scuba diving. Glasses don’t fit under a dive mask, and the pressure changes underwater could cause discomfort or damage to the glasses themselves.
If you wear glasses, there are two main options:
1. Prescription Dive Masks:
Many divers who wear glasses opt for a prescription dive mask. These masks have lenses customized to your prescription, allowing you to see clearly underwater without the need for glasses or contacts. Some dive shops will also have some rental masks with various prescriptions. This can be useful if you just want to do a short scuba dive experience like Discover Scuba Diving.
2. Contact Lenses:
If you’re comfortable with them, contact lenses can be worn under a regular dive mask, as mentioned above.
Scuba diving with contact lenses is definitely possible, but you just need to take a few precautions in order to be able to enjoy clear vision underwater!
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