Advice on prescription snorkel mask

KTinTX · Post by **KTinTX** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:22 am

My teenage son will be making his first trip this June and is looking forward to snorkeling with me. He wears glasses (far-sighted) and will not even consider contacts (probably a decent $ saver for me!).

What is the process in getting him a mask with a prescription lens? He is 14, and we spend a fair amount of time in our pool, so the cost won't be just for a one-week trip. I'm assuming I need a copy of his prescription from the eye doc?

How many of you use a prescription mask, and is there any alternative (other than contacts) that would allow him to wear glasses under a mask?

mit43 · Post by **mit43** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:38 am

I use the Sea Vision Ultra mask with Prescription lenses when I don't feel like using my contacts. I can't remember where I ordered it, but if you google it, I'm sure there are several places that sell them. I don't know of any masks that would accommodate glasses underneath.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:42 am

My husband can't see a thing without his glasses. His eye doctor actually told us to buy a Rx mask on line. (The reason being it was not for scuba, he does outfit a number of serious divers)

The eye doctor gave us the Rx and I ordered the mask from snorkelmart.com. My husband loves it. I think the cost was less than $100, $75 sticks in my mind. He has never had a problem with fit, which is why he was comfortable ordering on line.

baseball0717 · Post by **baseball0717** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:46 am

KT
I JUST PURCHASED A RX. MASK FROM WWW.GETWETSTORE.COM
VERY SIMPLE PROCESS .ALL YOU NEED IS YOUR PRESCRIPTION . I CANT WAIT TO USE THEM IN MAY/JUNE.THE PRICE I PAID WAS $74.95.THEY WORK GREAT.I CAN SEE WITHOUT MY GLASSES.

deejayjay · Post by **deejayjay** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:50 am

My husband is extremely near sighted. He got prescription lens from a local dive shop. He loves them. Wears them instead of his contacts when he snorkles now. I am far sighted. The same shop had some stick on lenses that would correct for farsightedness. (+1.0, 1.25, etc) They also worked real well. They were a thin clear plastic that stuck to the inside of a mask. I would think any dive shop would be able to help. It's not like we have a lot to choose from here in KS.

djmom · Post by **djmom** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 12:34 pm

Someone, please resurrect the snorkel mask thread so mom can see why she needs to bring an extra pair of glasses in addition to buying the snorkel mask.

savvy · Post by **savvy** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 12:47 pm

Prescription lenses for a snorkel mask are well worth the money. We went to a local dive shop with our prescriptions and they simply popped in the appropriate lenses. We have not had any problems with them leaking. We did not order online - went to dive shop instead in order to get the best fit. We love them.

surfnh · Post by **surfnh** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:07 pm

I highly recommend buying the mask first, to verify the proper fit, then order the lens through the dive shop.

JF

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:24 pm

It's great that your son was upfront with you about his unwillingness to use contacts. I've struggled through two visits now, forcing myself to put contacts in, so I could snorkel. It's torture, if you're just not into contacts!
I bumped benchill's snorkel mask story cause it's so funny it should be a sticky

Sunflower · Post by **Sunflower** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:32 am

I got my prescription lenses and mask at Low Key - right in Cruz Bay. Just brought my prescript with me, and they have lenses to match. Easy, and they do it right then and there!

usvi-on-line