Prescription snorkel mask

[mindehankins]

I didn't order my snorkel mask in time, from my opthamology place, so I'm depending on a rental this trip.
Does anyone know which of the numbers from the prescription, the dive shop will need? I want to make sure I have enough information to be able to see well. Previously, I've been fitted for contacts just for the trip, but I hate them.
My script has data in the "sphere, cyl, axis, dist and ADD columns."
I normally wear progressive lenses. Just need distance correction, for snorkelling.
Thanks, forum!

[loria]

you know what--it would be horrible to get there and have the wrong information--(or not be able to find a mask with the right information!) I think you might want to call the dive shop and find out what they would need and if they have them readily available!

[surfnh]

Hey Minde, you know some dive shops have the lenses in house. My wife bought a new mask a few years back, and they had a prescription close to her actual, directly in the store. They popped it right in. When you're underwater you don't need exact, just something close as the water magnifies stuff also. Check some other dive shops near you.

[khud]

The local dive shops don't have prescription specific masks like your eyeglass prescription with the sphere, cylinder and axis but rather they have magnification lenses in the masks. They are plus or minus 1,2,3,4 etc. Hubby and I weren't too sure about this since we both where progressive glasses but they worked great! We tried a few on and the lenses made everything crystal clear. When we returned home we ordered "prescription" masks through an online scuba store for our next trip and have had no problems.

[Muhaha]

I use rxdivemask, which is run by the guy who invented prescription dive masks. They do a GREAT job and are capable of doing a rush order. If I remember correctly, they can turn an order around in 2 days. They are opticians and will make the lens themselves, but will require your full prescription info which you can probably get if you call your eye doctor.

I have a serious amount of correction required in my eyes. Most everyone else told me "good luck", but they were able to do it.

They can either provide a mask for you, or you can send yours.

Here is their website: http://rxdivemask.com/

I believe they are in the NYC area.

[LindaLa]

As khud indicated, unless you are ordering very expensive masks, most of the lenses will be like those glasses you buy in the pharmacies. I have pretty bad eyes and thought I might have to pay a fortune, but I was able to buy a a mask which worked great. Here is a link that will help you figure out the number you will need - you will need your prescription:
http://www.snorkel-mart.com/optical_lens_calculator.cfm

Once you have that number, you should be able to rent a mask at the dive shop. I am finally able to snorkel. The mask was well worth the price.

[mindehankins]

Thanks for the link that helps determine which lens, and the link to buy a mask from. I'll do it earlier in our next trip planning stage, but ordering now, or even when I posted, is out of the question.
I'm going to see if I can find any guidance on the last link, and then just hope for the best. It's too late to even be fitted for contacts, now. I just haven't had the planning time, this trip!