Nothing beats the adrenaline rush that diving can offer. But things can quickly turn into danger if your vision is all wrong. Poor underwater visibility can make it more challenging to ensure safe navigation. Worse, you won’t even be able to spot potential hazards, especially from a distance. This is where a good-quality prescription dive mask enters the picture.
Using the right gear and equipment can make your diving activity safe and unforgettable.
This article will discuss prescription masks for diving, the different types available, and more basic information about them to help you make a more informed decision after reading.
Importance of Good Vision When Diving
Once underwater, divers must have a clear vision. This is the only way for them to truly appreciate and bask in the complexity and beauty of marine life.
On the other hand, poor vision can significantly reduce a diver’s ability to enjoy and immerse in the sights around them. This can be quite bothersome if you dive in spots with low visibility and deeper waters.
The sad news is that most divers, whether knowingly or unknowingly, are suffering from numerous shared vision issues, including astigmatism, myopia, and presbyopia. These eye problems can pose serious difficulty in seeing in the clearest way possible, even while you’re on solid ground with your corrective lenses.
Specialty types of prescription dive masks exist for one glaring reason: to help address these concerns. These dive masks correct your vision while you’re underwater. There are even instances when these lenses are way more effective than traditional eyeglasses in enhancing clarity and offering improved protection from the glare of light reflecting off the particles suspended underwater.
If the correct prescription lenses are used in the dive mask, a diver can look forward to experiencing and seeing more glowing colors and better details of the gorgeous aquatic surroundings. This way, there wouldn’t be any limits to their dives that often occur because of poor visual acuity. This will result in a richer, better, and safer diving experience.
Difference Between Standard and Prescription Dive Mask
You probably don’t even realize it, but using prescription dive masks can make a big difference in more ways than you can imagine. So that you know, these masks can offer 20/20 vision while you’re underwater.
Prescription diving masks have been designed to correct astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness. These specialized masks can also protect divers from the sun’s glare and harmful UV rays.
Meanwhile, standard dive masks don’t provide the same benefits as prescription masks. Instead, these masks rely on the diver’s natural vision, which might cause eye fatigue and reduce depth perception. Aside from this, standard diving masks usually have narrow fields of view that make them less than ideal when it comes to spotting fish and other interesting objects underwater.
If you compare a standard dive mask to a prescription dive mask, you will notice that the former offers better sharpness and clarity when trying to see underwater because it can correct vision issues.
Thanks to the lenses, divers can also adjust the amount of light that comes into their eyes. This depends on the depth they plan to go so that they will always have accurate and clear vision regardless of the environment.
Prescription dive masks are also made specifically for people who should wear corrective eyewear every time they snorkel or swim. This means that divers don’t need to worry that their glasses will fog up once they slip off or get wet during a dive.
Using prescription dive masks is also a surefire way to guarantee clear vision during every dive without worrying about reduced visibility because of ill-fitting and uncomfortable eyewear or poor eyesight.
With the help of the right type of set-up for the lens, you will be able to enjoy the ocean and all its wonders with complete confidence and ease with the knowledge that your vision is top-notch at all times.
Types of Prescription Dive Masks
There are two primary types of dive masks available right now: single-lens and double-lens dive masks.
Single Lens Prescription Dive Masks
As the name implies, single-lens dive masks feature a single lens covering both eyes. Many divers usually prefer this type of mask, especially those who prefer a wider field of vision because the single lens ensures a more unobstructed view.
A single-lens prescription dive mask also costs more than its double-lens counterpart, which makes it easier and faster to pack, store, and transport it as and when needed.
Double Lens Prescription Dive Masks
Double-lens prescription dive masks feature two separate lenses covering each eye. These masks are generally more popular among divers who need prescription lenses because their eyes might have different prescriptions.
These double lens masks have lower internal volume as well, It means that they need less air for equalising pressure once you descend in the water. This makes these masks a comfier choice for those who love going for deeper dives.
Which is Better, Single Lens and Double Lens Masks?
The better option between these two prescription dive masks will depend on your personal preference and your dive’s specific requirements. If you need a more compact design and a wider field of vision, you will be better off with single-lens prescription dive masks. A double-lens mask should be your choice if you plan to go on a deeper dive or if you need prescription lenses.
With enough preparation and the right information, a prescription dive mask can give you peace of mind and more confidence as you explore underwater depths.