yilishabai

My dad doesn't want to pay for a vision corrective mask ($50) for snorkeling but he will pay for vision corrective goggles ($17). He's near sighted and has never been snorkeling. I really want him to have a good experience and really see the beauty. My weird question is, could wear his goggles under the mask or would that break the seal? Could we glue the goggles in the mask with silicon glue? Do you even need to be able to see far away for snorkeling or is up close vision just fine? Also, can't use just use goggles for snorkeling?

KVR

I can relate to your question. I am legally blind without corrective lenses and did not take advantage of snorkling until I found prescription goggles. I also did not want to pay $$$ for a prescription mask. I purchased a pair of prescription goggles a couples of years ago for $20 and use it for snorkeling. I had to buy a nose clip so I could snorkel, but they work great.

Here's a picture of me snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St. John with prescription goggles and a nose clip:

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/135...38640397PbNTIc

yilishabai

KVR - Wow! Thanks great! Is it hard to attach the snorkel to the goggles? Also, do you think goggles are large enough to attach small bifocal stickers in the bottom part of them? His glasses are bifocals. Maybe I'll just get the prescription goggles and buy him the prescription mask.

yilishabai

Oops - clicked to soon. I meant to say that then I could stick the bifocal stickers in his mask.

greenie

What about contact lenses? Woudl that help? That's usually what I wear and it works out well.

Peace

KVR

The actual lenses a much smaller than a mask. When snorkeling I don't think your going to need a bifocal prescription also. The actual goggle prescription is not the same as my regular glasses. However, the underwater it gets clearer.

I'm not allowed to wear contacts anymore per my Dr., so this works great. You'll also see me wearing the goggles from my beach chair to the water because I can't see to get there without them.

KVR

Oh forgot to add, the snorkel clip hooks right onto the strap of the goggles. No problem. I'll be using them again in 3 weeks on our Western Caribbean cruise.

Tuxedocat

My husband snorkels a lot, and he uses a regular mask with his contact lenses. Of course, he has to be extra careful, but he rationalizes that if he'd shower with contacts in, why not snorkel with them in? Of course, we also bring plenty of spare contacts with us on any trip. I have to say, I'm surprised he's only lost his contacts once in water over the last 15 years.

evelyntrav

I snorkeled with my contact lenses under my goggles and did not have any problems. When the goggles leaked a bit, I just closed my eyes while I raised my head and tilted the goggles to let the water run out. I used the 1-day Acuvue so I wasn't concerned if the lenses got ruined by the salt water. I think the cost is something like $1-2 a day.

RandyK

When I last wore glasses, I just folded them as if were putting them away and put them in the mask and put the mask on. Far less of a hassle than all of the other suggestions here. Just try this at home first and see if it works for your dad! Frankly I'm surprised he can get a corrective mask so cheaply but if he'd rather save the $50 for drinks on the beach give this a try!

Bobcaat

Many dive shops will rent corrective lenses to use in a mask. Contact lens are fine; I dive and wear contacts on all my dives - no problem.

justme22

i've rented corrected lenses masks they might run a few dollars more. but i now use my contact lenses all the time and have never had a problem. you can also get lenses that can be attached to a wire that fits in your mask and hang in front of your face. not sure where to get these, i have them for work to be used in my respirator.

yilishabai

Randy K - how did you attach your glasses in the mask - don't they move around too much?

Justme22 - That intrigues me. Any suggestions on how to find these lenses?

justme22

not really sure as i got them thru work but they would be called a spectacle kit for your face mask. i would think you might be able to connect on this by going to a store that sells safety equipment (respirators) or dive equipment. there is no reason these couldn't be used in a diving mask as they don't compromise your seal and they barely rest on your nose, as they are on the mask, not you....i do know that a regular optometrist can write the prescription.

RandyK

Sorry for the long delay in response to yilishabai, but the glasses don't really move around that much since your head is generally face down in the water. I also had fairly large lenses but no bifocals. My friends who wear "progressive lenses" tell me that this won't work well for them.

charlie100348

Wait, all the time effort and dollars spent for the trip and he is quibblin' over $33??? Suggest dark run punch.