Damn ... I need reading glasses

Phil O · February 18th, 2006, 10:35 PM

Over the past few months I've noticed that my 20/20 vision is not so great after all and I've had to take to using reading glasses. I noticed the decline some months ago when reading the menu in La Tasca but now I'm noticing it more and more. Last week I had to really concentrate hard to read my dive timer so its time I sought advice from this group.

How can I magnify my dive timer? Are there any "reading lenses" that can be fitted into a dive mask? Can you get some sort of bi-focal mask?

GLOC · February 18th, 2006, 10:57 PM

You can get prescription lenses for your glasses and I know that at least one company (http://www.axisoptical.co.uk/products1.htm) that does bi-focals.

Just make sure you backup doesn't have any lenses in it, I want to be able to read my dive timer

Sterny · February 18th, 2006, 11:02 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Phil O)

Over the past few months I've noticed that my 20/20 vision is not so great after all and I've had to take to using reading glasses. I noticed the decline some months ago when reading the menu in La Tasca but now I'm noticing it more and more. Last week I had to really concentrate hard to read my dive timer so its time I sought advice from this group.

How can I magnify my dive timer? Are there any "reading lenses" that can be fitted into a dive mask? Can you get some sort of bi-focal mask?

Hi Phill, really sorry to hear your sight isn't what it used to be. However, there's an excellent chance your diving needn't suffer. That said, you should get your eyes checked by a good optometrist (optician) pronto, as there's more than one thing than could be causing your impaired vision, and depending on what the problem is, they'll be able to advise you what you need to do next.

If the problem is simply short-sightedness (or more likely long-sightedness which can develop as you get older), your LDS can probably help you get lens inserts for your existing mask, or a relatively cheap off-the-shelf mask with corrective lenses in standard dioptre strengths. They may well have them in stock. But if your sight is bad enough that these won't do the trick, then it's probably not just long or short sightedness. Early-stage glaucoma or a retinal tear are other possibilities among lots of others - your optician will look for things like these up in an eye exam which is why you must see one, even if an off the shelf mask sorts you out.

I have rubbish sight without glasses (around -9 or -10 dioptres in each eye, with fairly strong astigmatism too if that means anything to you), but with glasses my sight is near perfect. They don't make off the shelf corrective masks anywhere near that strong, but my optician had a presctiption diving mask made for me with which my sight is also near perfect. Now it's just a shame about the muck in the water, smears of spit or anti-fogging solution and random mucus, same as everyone else - nice! My mask (see avatar, if you can make it out!) cost me about £250 four years ago, and as a bonus it's the best-fitting mask I've ever worn.

Should really get a back-up one though.

QBU · February 18th, 2006, 11:03 PM

HI Phil,

Getting old is a (well let's say not so nice thing). It seems like almost overnight my vision went south.

I can read my compass since it is an SK7 with larger number, and I use a Vyper and it has a larger display.

There are small magnifying lenses that can be glued into your mask. I'll see if I can find a source. It is way cheaper than buying a new mask. They do make magnifying masks, but they generally are higher volume and pricely and don't fit most people very well. I work in a dive shop and have tried to fit people in them and it was difficult.

I'll get you a couple links when I have some free time.

Phil O · February 18th, 2006, 11:49 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by QBU)

Getting old is a (well let's say not so nice thing). It seems like almost overnight my vision went south.

Damn right its not nice .... in my head I am still 21 ... but my eyes are nearly 50. And that's not all that's gone south!!

Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC)

Just make sure you backup doesn't have any lenses in it, I want to be able to read my dive timer

Tee hee

QBU · February 19th, 2006, 12:05 AM

I haven't had a chance to really look at this site, but I found it doing a Google search

http://www.optxeurope.com/datamc.asp?t=4

LCF · February 19th, 2006, 05:01 AM

I don't know what's available in Europe, but we can get "Dive Optix" which are bifocal inserts that stick to the lens of your mask. They are not ideal, and they are not cheap (about $40 for us) but they will bridge the gap of time between realizing you can't read your gauges and getting a prescription mask.

Bifocal lenses can be put in a mask, but only in specific masks, at least according to the optometrist who did ours. The two lenses must be independent and have a full frame around them (none of the masks with the side lenses will work, according to them).

Personally, I think somebody could make a mint simply marketing gauges with REALLY BIG NUMBERS for those of us who are a little long in the tooth.

Mozi · February 19th, 2006, 07:44 AM

I do not know if that is a possibility in your case, but why don't you just use lenses?

Mozi

Rick · February 19th, 2006, 11:13 AM

Phil.....were over here!!

Sorry mate, had to be done! :D :D

Divingniknaks · February 19th, 2006, 11:53 AM

Phil,

I got a flyer though the mail the other day from a firm who do "reading glasses" type lens for masks.

I'll dig it out and mail you the details tomorrow mate. IIRC they weren't a bad price either.

I had the same problem last year hence why I now have

dbl glazing.

February 18th, 2006, 10:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Phil O(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 340	Damn ... I need reading glasses Over the past few months I've noticed that my 20/20 vision is not so great after all and I've had to take to using reading glasses. I noticed the decline some months ago when reading the menu in La Tasca but now I'm noticing it more and more. Last week I had to really concentrate hard to read my dive timer so its time I sought advice from this group. How can I magnify my dive timer? Are there any "reading lenses" that can be fitted into a dive mask? Can you get some sort of bi-focal mask? __________________ Phil

February 18th, 2006, 11:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
QBU(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Okinawa Posts: 121	HI Phil, Getting old is a (well let's say not so nice thing). It seems like almost overnight my vision went south. I can read my compass since it is an SK7 with larger number, and I use a Vyper and it has a larger display. There are small magnifying lenses that can be glued into your mask. I'll see if I can find a source. It is way cheaper than buying a new mask. They do make magnifying masks, but they generally are higher volume and pricely and don't fit most people very well. I work in a dive shop and have tried to fit people in them and it was difficult. I'll get you a couple links when I have some free time. __________________ "C"

February 18th, 2006, 11:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Phil O(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 340	Quote: (Originally Posted by QBU) Getting old is a (well let's say not so nice thing). It seems like almost overnight my vision went south. Damn right its not nice .... in my head I am still 21 ... but my eyes are nearly 50. And that's not all that's gone south!! Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC) Just make sure you backup doesn't have any lenses in it, I want to be able to read my dive timer Tee hee __________________ Phil Last edited by Phil O; February 18th, 2006 at 11:59 PM.

February 19th, 2006, 12:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
QBU(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Okinawa Posts: 121	I haven't had a chance to really look at this site, but I found it doing a Google search http://www.optxeurope.com/datamc.asp?t=4 __________________ "C"

February 19th, 2006, 11:13 AM	#9 (permalink)
Rick(Offline) Jock Exley Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Falkirk/Stratford UK Posts: 730	Phil.....were over here!! Sorry mate, had to be done! :D :D __________________ Forget Everything And Remember http://phreaticzone.thedeepstop.com/ http://www.dublinbaydiving.com/

February 18th, 2006, 10:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
GLOC (Online) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 1,963	You can get prescription lenses for your glasses and I know that at least one company (http://www.axisoptical.co.uk/products1.htm) that does bi-focals. Just make sure you backup doesn't have any lenses in it, I want to be able to read my dive timer

February 18th, 2006, 11:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sterny(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The limpid tropical lagoons of Ealing, West London Posts: 550	Quote: (Originally Posted by Phil O) Over the past few months I've noticed that my 20/20 vision is not so great after all and I've had to take to using reading glasses. I noticed the decline some months ago when reading the menu in La Tasca but now I'm noticing it more and more. Last week I had to really concentrate hard to read my dive timer so its time I sought advice from this group. How can I magnify my dive timer? Are there any "reading lenses" that can be fitted into a dive mask? Can you get some sort of bi-focal mask? Hi Phill, really sorry to hear your sight isn't what it used to be. However, there's an excellent chance your diving needn't suffer. That said, you should get your eyes checked by a good optometrist (optician) pronto, as there's more than one thing than could be causing your impaired vision, and depending on what the problem is, they'll be able to advise you what you need to do next. If the problem is simply short-sightedness (or more likely long-sightedness which can develop as you get older), your LDS can probably help you get lens inserts for your existing mask, or a relatively cheap off-the-shelf mask with corrective lenses in standard dioptre strengths. They may well have them in stock. But if your sight is bad enough that these won't do the trick, then it's probably not just long or short sightedness. Early-stage glaucoma or a retinal tear are other possibilities among lots of others - your optician will look for things like these up in an eye exam which is why you must see one, even if an off the shelf mask sorts you out. I have rubbish sight without glasses (around -9 or -10 dioptres in each eye, with fairly strong astigmatism too if that means anything to you), but with glasses my sight is near perfect. They don't make off the shelf corrective masks anywhere near that strong, but my optician had a presctiption diving mask made for me with which my sight is also near perfect. Now it's just a shame about the muck in the water, smears of spit or anti-fogging solution and random mucus, same as everyone else - nice! My mask (see avatar, if you can make it out!) cost me about £250 four years ago, and as a bonus it's the best-fitting mask I've ever worn. Should really get a back-up one though.

February 19th, 2006, 05:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
LCF(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 623	I don't know what's available in Europe, but we can get "Dive Optix" which are bifocal inserts that stick to the lens of your mask. They are not ideal, and they are not cheap (about $40 for us) but they will bridge the gap of time between realizing you can't read your gauges and getting a prescription mask. Bifocal lenses can be put in a mask, but only in specific masks, at least according to the optometrist who did ours. The two lenses must be independent and have a full frame around them (none of the masks with the side lenses will work, according to them). Personally, I think somebody could make a mint simply marketing gauges with REALLY BIG NUMBERS for those of us who are a little long in the tooth.

February 19th, 2006, 07:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mozi(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Beirut, Lebanon Posts: 80	I do not know if that is a possibility in your case, but why don't you just use lenses? Mozi

February 19th, 2006, 11:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,038	Phil, I got a flyer though the mail the other day from a firm who do "reading glasses" type lens for masks. I'll dig it out and mail you the details tomorrow mate. IIRC they weren't a bad price either. I had the same problem last year hence why I now have dbl glazing. __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com