Prescription Mask

Mr. Manager

Hi All,

I moved to Malta in January and it's a pretty sweet spot for diving (or so I've been told by just about all my friends and colleagues here).

I'd love to get into it as my housemates are doing it now and my GF has done it a bunch of times.

The only problem is, I wear glasses (not contacts - ever). So I'd need to get a prescription mask before I can go anywhere.

I've briefly looked online for some masks but to be honest, I haven't a clue what I'm supposed to be looking for in terms of quality.

The only thing I've been told so far by a dive instructor is that the mask needs to be tempered (not sure if that's even the right word)

If there is anyone else out there who knows anything about the above I'd love to hear back. Any info is greatly appreciated.

Catmologen

Hi there, Specsavers have prescription masks however they are very expensive. I think they are around the 200 euro mark.

locum-motion

Cereal Rapist wrote: »

...

The only thing I've been told so far by a dive instructor is that the mask needs to be tempered (not sure if that's even the right word)

...

"Tempered" is just a word that means "strengthened". Car windscreens are made of tempered glass, for example. I know that my mask has the word "Tempered" stamped on the lenses, but I just assumed that all dive masks would be made from tempered glass.
Whether the glass is tempered or not is nothing to do with whether it's a prescription lens or not.
Talk to your optician.

Mr. Manager

Catmologen wrote: »

Hi there, Specsavers have prescription masks however they are very expensive. I think they are around the 200 euro mark.

Problem there is, I don't live in Ireland

locum-motion wrote: »

"Tempered" is just a word that means "strengthened". Car windscreens are made of tempered glass, for example. I know that my mask has the word "Tempered" stamped on the lenses, but I just assumed that all dive masks would be made from tempered glass.
Whether the glass is tempered or not is nothing to do with whether it's a prescription lens or not.
Talk to your optician.

Thanks for that. I spoke my local optician but they were pure useless so I've resorted to shopping online.

Unfortunately, I just don't know where to start.

locum-motion

Cereal Rapist wrote: »

Problem there is, I don't live in Ireland



Thanks for that. I spoke my local optician but they were pure useless so I've resorted to shopping online.

Unfortunately, I just don't know where to start.

How do you like Malta? Honestly, I didn't like the island much, but the diving is great. I dived with Maltaqua who are based in St. Paul's Bay. They have a well stocked dive shop, so of they can't help you out, then they should at least be able to point you towards an optician who can. I suppose not all opticians will have come across someone who needs a prescription mask, but surely somewhere in Malta there has to be someone!

Mr. Manager

locum-motion wrote: »

How do you like Malta? Honestly, I didn't like the island much, but the diving is great. I dived with Maltaqua who are based in St. Paul's Bay. They have a well stocked dive shop, so of they can't help you out, then they should at least be able to point you towards an optician who can. I suppose not all opticians will have come across someone who needs a prescription mask, but surely somewhere in Malta there has to be someone!

Absolutely love living here. I came in January and we had a rubbish winter (weather wise) and I still loved it. Closing in on the end of my first summer here and I've not a bad thing to say except for that maybe it gets a bit too busy and dare I say, a little too hot.

I'll be heading out on the bike for a trip up north and will be passing St.Paul's so will have a look in the shop.

To be honest, I haven't gone into many opticians, maybe 2-3 but they've all given the same response of "No, sorry, we don't do them and I don't know anywhere that does".

I've a week off work coming up so I'll get out and have a proper look in some more opticians! This is about the only thing I miss about home so far - the unfamiliarity of knowing where to go to get things!!

Fratton Fred

Simply Scuba do TUSA prescription masks and I've met several people who are very pleased with them (TUSA would be a well known and respected brand) http://www.simplyscuba.com/departments/Masks/PrescriptionMasks.aspx

But personally i would want to try on a mask before I guy it.

franorzxrh2

ID SAY TRY THE CONTACS!!iv been diving and my parents are qualified padi divers!!my whole family wears glasses and to be honest i thiunk it was a great decision to try the contacs out under water!!if you have the right mask then theres no worries of water gettin into them!!hi 5 skuba dive:D:D:D

alwayssideways

A friend of mine got a prescription mask from McNally opticians in Navan. And as far as I can remember he lost it while he was travelling and they posted him a new one.

Maybe give them a ring - 046 907 2770, I think you will need to fax them a valid copy of your prescription so they can order it.

nathan184

Online options are the Tusa as said above which is meant to be good and also:
http://apnea.co.uk/ have a selection if I remember right.

scubastore.com might have some limited choice of prescription lenses. It's a Spanish company that I've had good experience with in the past.

There must be a local dive shop who is an authorised vendor of one of the big brands. They would happily order the lenses and fit them for you I'd say.

EDIT:
I would not recommend contacts especially if you're a beginner and might get water in your mask. Some people have no problems with infection but I wouldn't risk it. I've heard some horror stories.

The Wagster

How strong is your prescription? You could get away with no special lenses if you're around +-1to2. Things appear larger and closer underwater anyway. Try it in a pool and see what you think.

If you're thinking of contacts get daily disposable contacts and remove and discard them after each dive - this will minimize the risk of infection.

Remember that if you get a prescription mask you still need the mask to fit properly! So if you're thinking of getting a TUSA online go to a TUSA stockist first and try a few masks on. You don't want to pay loads for a prescription lens and find the mask leaks! Do you know how to check a mask fits properly?

Mr. Manager

Thanks for all the comments guys. Managed to secure a pair online - haven't got the link handy though, sorry.

I definitely didn't want to go down the route of wearing contacts. I've only ever wore them once in 12 years and I never liked them to begin with so wouldn't really fancy them on under a mask.

Mr. Manager

Picked up this mask today.

Cost me a few quid in the end (had to pay extra for prescription lenses) but I guess it's a one off thing so it's not a big deal.

The Wagster

Looks a good mask.

Is there any info with the mask about washing it with toothpaste before you use it the first time? You have to do this with non-prescription masks to remove a coating they apply during manufacture that makes the mask fog up easily during diving. I'm not sure if you need to do that with prescription masks so I suggest reading anything that came with the mask and possibly contacting the guys you got it from to ask.

Best of luck with the training. You'll love it. And Malta is a great spot to dive.

Mr. Manager

Thanks for the response. Appreciate it!

Really looking forward to getting out before winter sets in, although I think there's still a few months to go till that rolls on

Moocifer

That's the mask I use and I have prescription lenses in it. It's an excellent choice if you need different prescriptions for each eye as I do.