OK, so the wetsuit keeps shrinking every year.

And the markings on the gauges keep getting smaller.

Has anyone found a good solution for underwater bifocals? Seeing things up close was never a problem until the past few years and it's gotten to the point where I can't tell if the image in the LCD monitor is sharp or not.

I saw something called Trident Dive Optx -- supplementary lenses which stick on the inside of existing masks, and provide bifocal capabilities. Anyone find anything else that does the same? I don't want to have to find a whole different dive mask when the one I got works just fine.

Hi Dean,
I've heard of the product you speak of, but haven't seen anyone using it. Would this be something you can get in a prescription mask? If so, maybe going that route would be better.

Fortunately: My oldest daughter is an optometrist.

Unfortunately: She's in Minnesota, thousands of miles away!

Dean

My suggestion is to visit your LDS and talk to someone there. Our local shop here sell four or five masks that can get perscription lenses made for your eye strength. The masks with lenses are not expensive (approx$200CDN).

Chris

laser surgery changed my life, in this regard...

The latest in corrective surgery is the Crystalens procedure.

A flexible lens replaces the aging, stiffened lens, thus restoring the patient's ability to accomodate near and far objects.

http://www.crystalens.com/

The doctor my daugther works with has been keeping track of this procedure and recommends it over lasik for people in their late 40's and older. The reason is that older patients are developing presbyopia and are also more likely to develop cataracts. Thus, rather than going through lasik and possibly facing a lens replacement in the relatively near future, they're now recommending going through just one surgical procedure and replacing the lens with one that will restore better visual function.

I'd certainly prefer to do this -- when I can afford it -- but for the time being I'll hunt down a reasonable bifocal dive mask.

My father, in the 50's, was a scuba diver.

To solve his vison problem underwater, he took the prescription lenses out of a pair of glasses and attached them to the inside of his mask.

Today, there are many clear, and removable, adhesives to do this. I would recommend a clear silcone sealant.

So, if you have an old pair of glasses, or wish to purchase a set of reading glasses from the dollar store, you can try this without much risk. If fact, you can test your experimental mask, with the lens cemented in, with a bucket of water. Just put some coins in the bottom of the buket, fill the bucket with water and test out the mask.

You may find that a lens prescription that works in the air will not be perfect under water. For this reason, if you can use reading glasses, buy a few pairs and test them. Much to my amazement, in my area, we can buy fairly high quality reading glasses for a dollar.