Discussion:
HydroOptix Dive Masks
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pix
2004-03-03 09:07:04 UTC
Permalink
Anyone have any experience with them?

http://www.hydrooptix.com/index2.htm

Being a short sighted bi-focal spectical wearer (and getting heartily sick
of prescription lenses in dive masks) I am interested in this product, but
would like to contact anyone who have had experience with them...

/pix
Mark Schmidt
2004-03-05 00:45:41 UTC
Permalink
Hello

I have not used them personally, but I am a diver and an Optometrist, so I
understand a bit about these things.

The success of these sorts of wraparound masks is limited by how
short-sighted you are, as the thickest part of the lens is the edge, and the
greater the radius the thicker the edge. So wrapping the frame gives a big
radius to the outside, and consequently big thickness. The thickness causes
something called prism magnificiation which can be disconcerting to some
people. If you are below -6.00 I would say the prism magnification and
potential double vision to the far right or far left would be acceptible.
Any more and you have a high chance of bad double vision at the far
periphery. Again, this probably wont matter as divers tend to move their
head more than their eyes, but you need to be aware of it.

There is another factor that will determine the success of these...the
degree of astigmatism (the distortion in the front of the eyeball). If its
minimal (less than 2.00 dioptres, or less then 25% of the overall
prescription) then I'd say you'll be okay, but any more and similar problems
to the one above occur.

Unless other reasons prevent you, I would honestly recommend contact lenses
to an experienced diver (newbies tend to flood masks more and the salt water
can be more irritating to CL wearers than to non-CL wearers) or laser
surgery. I was not overly successful diving with contacts, but I have had
laser surgery and diving became ALOT more enjoyable. Just note that there
is still debate as to whether diving in the first three months after laser
surgery is wise, and I don't recommend it.

I hope this helps your decision.

Best regards

Mark
Post by pix
Anyone have any experience with them?
http://www.hydrooptix.com/index2.htm
Being a short sighted bi-focal spectical wearer (and getting heartily sick
of prescription lenses in dive masks) I am interested in this product, but
would like to contact anyone who have had experience with them...
/pix
pix
2004-03-05 09:07:50 UTC
Permalink
Thanks for this detailed reply - the item that immediately drew my attention
was the amount of astigmatism - mine is 50% of my prescription (-3.75/-3.5)
plus I wear bifocals... I do not have the patience for contact lenses; and
as I fly aeroplanes and am a keen amateur photographer laser surgery *at the
moment* is not an option.

Looks like I will have to scratch this option!

Thanks again.

/pix
Post by Mark Schmidt
Hello
I have not used them personally, but I am a diver and an Optometrist, so I
understand a bit about these things.
The success of these sorts of wraparound masks is limited by how
short-sighted you are, as the thickest part of the lens is the edge, and the
greater the radius the thicker the edge. So wrapping the frame gives a big
radius to the outside, and consequently big thickness. The thickness causes
something called prism magnificiation which can be disconcerting to some
people. If you are below -6.00 I would say the prism magnification and
potential double vision to the far right or far left would be acceptible.
Any more and you have a high chance of bad double vision at the far
periphery. Again, this probably wont matter as divers tend to move their
head more than their eyes, but you need to be aware of it.
There is another factor that will determine the success of these...the
degree of astigmatism (the distortion in the front of the eyeball). If its
minimal (less than 2.00 dioptres, or less then 25% of the overall
prescription) then I'd say you'll be okay, but any more and similar problems
to the one above occur.
Unless other reasons prevent you, I would honestly recommend contact lenses
to an experienced diver (newbies tend to flood masks more and the salt water
can be more irritating to CL wearers than to non-CL wearers) or laser
surgery. I was not overly successful diving with contacts, but I have had
laser surgery and diving became ALOT more enjoyable. Just note that there
is still debate as to whether diving in the first three months after laser
surgery is wise, and I don't recommend it.
I hope this helps your decision.
Best regards
Mark
Post by pix
Anyone have any experience with them?
http://www.hydrooptix.com/index2.htm
Being a short sighted bi-focal spectical wearer (and getting heartily sick
of prescription lenses in dive masks) I am interested in this product, but
would like to contact anyone who have had experience with them...
/pix
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