Scuba Diving If You Wear Contacts or Glasses

Can you scuba dive if you wear contacts or glasses? Of course! Here are the two most popular options for divers with less-than-perfect vision:

#1 Purchase a scuba mask with prescription lenses.

#2 Wear disposable soft contact lenses when scuba diving.
We’ll explain both of the options above in greater detail below, but here’s something you should know: water magnifies your vision. Because of refraction, objects seem 33 percent larger and 25 percent closer underwater. If (like this author), you’re a bit nearsighted, you may not need corrective lenses when scuba diving.

Your local PADI dive shop can help you decide whether you need to wear contact lenses or a prescription mask when diving. During your gear fitting session, see if you can read the air and depth gauges without your glasses. If you can’t see the numbers, you’ll need to wear contact lenses when scuba diving, or invest in a prescription mask.

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