I searched for "corrective" and "prescription" and did not find a reference to a vendor of that product, therefore, this thread.

Looking for recommendations on corrective vision equipment for snorkeling. Users of the incremental diopter lenses (..., +1.0, +0.5, -0.5, -1.0, -1.5, ... -8.0) report mediocor to unsatisfactory results. Users of custom prescription lenses report better results - makes obvious sense. There is a lot of experience among the users of this website. So, what do you recommend for both equipment and vendor?

.... abe and gail
Concord, NC

www.diversdiscount.com has masks listed with corrective lenses. I have had both the inserted prescription and the inserts purchased with the mask and have been happy with both. The main thing is to have a well fitting mask. If you already have masks that fit well, get the lenses custom added. If you have major astigmatism, the custom is the only way to go. If you get the prefitted, reduce the correction by .5 to allow for the water refraction. I have a -2.0 correction in my glasses, but have -1.5 in my masks.

Just broke down and bought custom prescription lenses for my dive mask. My vision finally got bad enough that I needed a correction for distance as well as close. The inexpensive inserts work OK for gage readers (I scuba mostly), but things were starting to get fuzzy at 5 to 10 feet where I do most of my viewing. I also have some astigmatism.

Haven't tried the new lenses under water yet but they are absolutely great just looking through them out of water.

Purchased these lenses through my local dive shop. They shipped my mask to a supplier in Wisconsin along with my latest eyeglass prescription. They actually applied a prescription overlay to the existing lenses. There is a small bifocal area for close up (gages, camera settings, etc.) and the bulk of the lens is corrected for my distance prescription.

I suspect there are several vendors that will perform this service. You can either check with your local dive check or do a search on Google.

Linnea, Danku for the information. Feedback on BOTH types from the SAME person. What could be better than that? It is as I suspecte - prescription is the way to go if you really want to SNORKEL. Perhaps you are too young, but did you also get the bifocal added to the lenses?

... abe and gail
Concord, NC

Richard, That is probably what I/we are looking for. Can you ballpark the price for me? I have seen prescription lenses in a mask advertised for $150, including the mask, but did not see if they offered bi-focals. How long did it take. I have a biz trip down to Caracas in early April and will pause in Aruba for a 3 day weekend on the way.

... abe and gail
Concord, NC

Here is the guy I've used for 14 years, I started the bifocals lately, before that I had lenses with cut off bottoms. Have your local optician mark the mask for you and send it off.
http://rxdivemask.com/

Seb,
Our current masks have the eye "holes" (the part you through) joined together as one solid piece. The nose part is somewhat separate. So I would guess we would need different masks with individual right and left (or as the optos say ... dexter and sinister) eye "holes" to accept the lenses. Any idea of cost for bifocals. I can call the place tomorrow.

... abe and gail
Concord, NC

If anyone gets stuck in Bonaire the optician in the mall in Bonaire (near KFC) has a good deal on prescription masks and someone reported good things about him a while ago. It's a good idea to take a copy of your prescription with you just in case, saves the cost of an eye test if the worst happens.

Dennis, Doc Maggiore glues lenses in, flat fronts, grinding on the back, and optical glue, whether your mask is one plate or two, no matter. I think my bi-focals were about 180 for a rush job.
Make sure your mask is in good shape before you shell out the money, wouldn't want the mask to rot before the lenses needed changing.

www.prescriptiondivemasks.com
Check their web site and give them a call on the 800 number. They have done 3 sets of lens for me. Susan

Hi:

My wife went to the dive shop and bought a nice glass snorkel mask that they said would work with corrective lens, took it to our optometrist and he attached the corrective lens inside with epoxy for $40.00, Shouse Optical in Lexington, KY.

I have been wearing prescription lens in my dive mask for about 5-6 years and love the fact that I can see. Mine are bifocal lens. I went thru my dive shop to get mine and paid approximately $200, I got a new mask and the lens. I did not think that was to much as I will probably use my current mask for 3-4 fours, my regular glasses run me around the same price but that is for a max of 2 years. The water magnification helps when your eyes begin to change. Your dive shop will have information on opticians that they trust.
Andy

Hi, My daughter and I both wear prescription masks for diving and snorkeling. We use SeaVision masks and I even have bifocals in mine. Daughter's vision is real bad and she loves her. My vision is not so bad, but have stigmitism and need the bifocals. And I'm not that old, either. You can check out www.seavisionusa.com or call 1-800-659-0284 if calling from the U.S. My cost with bifocals and tinted lens was 247.90 at the beginning of 2004. That also included AirBorne 2 day delivery. Debbie

I do not have the bifocals yet, but I think I am going to get one of the little stick on correction bubbles for close up. I have just had to start taking off my near-sighted glasses to read up close, no reading glasses yet.

Thank you to everyone that offered suggestions, ideas and shared their experiences. We very much appreciate all of them, they were extremely helpful.

My current mask is on the way from my local dive shop to have lenses installed complete with astigmatism correction. I have been promised it will be back in my hands by the 28th. I leave for Caracas, VE on 4/1 via Aruba for 4 days prior to the Biz part . Thanks again.

... abe an gail
Concord, NC

IF you are going to Aruba, be sure to visit Mangel Halto to snorkel. Swim out through the inlet. (some pictures are at aruba-travelguide.com in the trip reports section Dec 16-23, 2005 Debbie)

Debbie, Thanks for the tip... We had tried to find the entry point for MH several times before without success. Where we were looking, there appeared to be a strong possiblity of boat traffic and that made us a bit uncomfortable. Thanks to your link, I came across www.shorediving.com - find the ABC islands - and WHAMO!! Pictures of shore entry for Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao complete with GPS coordinates!Check it out! I will certainly make a concerted effort to get to Mangel Halto this trip.. The trip is delayed one week to April 8. Thanks again.
.... abe and gail
Concord, NC

The Rams Optical Shop in Harborfront Mall on Bonaire advertises a full prescription mask including eye test for $120, and I believe it's a one-day service. I don't know if they do bifocals, but I will see if I can find out on Tuesday.

I haven't needed to replace my prescription mask yet, but will need to do so soon (ah, the joys of getting older). My existing mask/lenses cost me about $150 in Rochester, NY over 12 years ago, so if this works, it's considerably less expensive. Has anyone used them here?

Josie, (... joys of getting older. ...) As I always say ... it beats the hell out of the alternative.

... abe and gail
Concord, NC