Prescription Mask lenses for shooters??

I'm starting to have more issues recently with underwater video that looks focused (even with an EXTERNAL monitor) but is not even close once I get it in post.  I use peaking but it only works occasionally.  This is not an issue I've had in the last 20 years so I can only assume my vision is going out. I found bifocal stickers to put on my mask lenses...reviews are bad, but I don't think any of the reviews are from shooters (and bifocals seem useless to regular divers).  Has anyone used these in a shooting scenario?  And if so, are they worth it?  Or should I be looking at full prescription lenses for my mask?  If the latter, are there any suggestions to a prescription that works for general dives and up close reference while shooting? (full time readers essentially)

Thanks! Shane

Hi Shane,

Not sure if you have seen this discussion that is active in the Beginners Forum (largely involving non-beginners):

View archived post in: Prescription Lens for Dive Mask

But it discusses a lot of this.  I went the reader route for a while when my eyes started to go and found them to be annoying.  That wasn't part of my view that I used for photography or reading and so ended up getting a mild prescription mask instead - so much better.  In my opinion the readers/bifocals are good for reading dive computers/ air levels but not for image/video collection.  Yes to what you are saying though, super annoying not to be able to nail focus (or even read shutter speeds/iso any camera settings).  Good luck finding a solution!

When most get a prescription dive mask the "cheater/magnification" portion of the mask is typically in the very bottom of the mask.  (for example, when you wear a pair of drugstore cheaters for magnification, you're looking at the very bottom of your glasses, nearest your nose, for magnification). 

As a photographer, I am not looking through the bottom of the mask at my viewfinder when I take a photo, I am looking straight ahead. 

I haven't heard much about where to have the optometrist place the magnification portion in the mask.  (I learned of this the hard way.  My Rx dive mask is perfect for reading books underwater but does not work for photography)!  I still do not know the answer to this.  Until I figure out where to locate the magnification section of the mask - I am going to rely on one contact lens for close up work.

I've just embarked down this road and have had readers (+2.0) installed by Seethesea in a new Cressi mask. Today was the first dives using it.

Seethesea recommended installing the readers in the bottom of the mask. The reasoning, with which I agreed, was that for much of a dive long vision is in use - and mine is really good. The readers come in well for checking settings especially the camera Menu and Info displays and making sure I'm using the right housing control (!). They are also good for checking the rear screen display after an image has been taken (I don't use Liveview). For the actual optical viewfinder display, I'll continue to use the diopter setting control.

I found the mask took a little getting used to - especially the slight line which is noticeable where the readers effectively divide the mask. The difference in being able to read the screen displays and controls was highly improved. 

I can see that the mask would be terrific for, as holloways suggests,  reading underwater, eg doing REEF-type surveys

Here's a link to a similar discussion:

View archived post in: Prescription Lens for Dive Mask

A lot will depend on the characteristics of your vision.  What optical aids do you use on land?  Readers? Bifocals?  In other words is your distance vision fine and you only need closeup assistance?   Using an external monitor requires closeup vision and if you make the whole lens to that prescription in your mask your distance vision will be out.  If you place readers at the bottom of your mask it may prove uncomfortable getting your head in the right position to use the lenses for long periods to watch your monitor.

My distance vision is fine, just closeup gives me trouble, as a stills shooter this is easily solved, I use use a magnifying viewfinder with dioptric adjustment.  My vision is still good enough to read gauges/computers but eventually I'll need a reader lens I guess.  One option which looks attractive I have seen a few people use is a go pro mount on their mask adapted to take a regular pair of specs , drop them down when needed and pop them up when not.  

Something else you may consider is Monocular correction.  For me it has been the perfect solution and I have used it for over 10 years. My dominant right eye is fine for far vision and looking through the dioptric corrected viewfinder. My left eye has a mask correction that enables perfect closeup vision for gauges and macro critters.

Here is a brief description:

"Monovision may be an option if you need vision correction for both near and far distances. Monovision corrects your dominant eye to see far distances and your nondominant eye to see close-up ones. Your eyes and brain adjust to this correction to see objects clearly, regardless of their distance"

This does not work for everybody but if your far vision is reasonable and not too wildly different from your closeup vision, it may be a great option. You need a two panel  mask with your two individual prescriptions ground into the specific panel. in my case the left side is +1.5 and the right +0.5. I had tried readers in my mask but never really liked it and found that it is an area in the mask that can easily fog up. YMMV

Good luck!

I went along a different route,  My long sight is fine but looking at a live view on a back screen or through a viewfinder was getting very difficult. I ended up using the diopter adjuster (all of it) on the camera viewfinder, I also had a magnifying viewfinder on my housing when I had my previous camera, I'm about to get one for my D500! plus I have a prescription single use contact lens in the eye that looked through the viewfinder and left my other eye well alone. It works for me as it means I can use the live view on the back of the camera for a quick overview if I'm doing wide angle, I can see into the distance sufficiently and I have a crystal clear view when I get down and look through the viewfinder. It was a bit of trial and error and I had a great optometrist who gave us a set of various disposable contacts initally to fine tune the eye that looks through that tiny viewfinder window. I put the disposable contact in around 20 minutes before my first dive and remove it immediately after my last dive of the day. So similar to monovision but using a disposable contact. Works for me

My distance vision is finee too so presbyopia contact lens was my solution. I wear them only for the dive. 

After 13 years with my US Divers mask with pop-in diopters, I decided to replace the mask and get proper prescription lenses put on.

The main reason was to replace the mask with one that has a lot wider field of view.   I had a revelation when doing wide angle video just how much I was NOT seeing around me with my mask.   I contacted Prescription Dive Masks in California, and they sent me three different masks to try on.  I picked one and sent them back to have the lenses glued in.  The mask I got (XS Scuba Fusion) has side windows, and they really make a difference.  Before I could have someone swimming right next to me, and I would never see them.

Next was to get a new prescription, which I had done at Costco.   To my surprise, my vision had improved by about a diopter since my previous check a few years back.   For some reason, after 30 years of the same prescription, my eyes were a bit better. 

Next I had to mark the my pupil position on the mask.  Essentially look in the mirror and put a dot on the mask where the center of your eye looks out.

Next I had to mark a line where the bifocals started.   This seems a matter of experience as you don't really know what this is going to be like until you get in the water.   I picked the best spot I could think of, and it was OK, but if I had to do it again I would lower the bifocals a little bit.

I sent back the marked-up mask and waited.  I got the finished mask back soon before I left to dive Bonaire, and it was then that I really got experience with it.   My thoughts:

1. The wide angle view was a revelation!   Really appreciate it after so many years of looking through a tunnel.

2. The glass is big, and it sometimes ended up pressing on the bridge of my nose.   This could be a problem, but if I position the mask carefully it (barely) doesn't press on my nose.

3. The bifocals.  First, it took days or weeks to get used to the bifocal line cutting across your vision.  At first your brain tells you the mask is half-full of water.  Second, you can see a lot through a small area, and I could have used a bit more regular vision, a bit less bifocal.  Should have lowered the bifocals about 1/8th of an inch.

But the view!   My aging eyes have no problem reading any gauges.  I'd say the focused view goes about 3 feet out, and it's quite easy to hover along the bottom just looking through the bifocals.   Or the regular prescription part just above the bifocals.   At about 3 feet you can use either.

My vision is now much better underwater than it ever was.   Even when my old mask was new, my 'presciption' was always off at least 1/4 diopter, since the diopters only came in half-diopter increments.

Highly recommended - https://prescriptiondivemasks.com/

I was starting to struggle with reading my computer. My first response was to buy a larger computer, so I purchased a Shearwater Perdix 2. My vision struggles continued, and I felt like it was turning into a safety issue. I sent my mask off to See the Sea and did my first dive last week. All I can say is wow, I can see again! 

If you have an HSA account, you can use the funds to purchase the prescription lenses. 

I cannot improve on what @phxazcraig said! Excellent discussion and description!

With my eyesight I benefit from prescription inserts in my dive mask.  I'm on my 2nd mask with inserts created and placed by Prescription Dive Masks out of San Diego, CA. I have bifocal lenses - yes it is 2x normal cost, but I can see underwater
The key to placement of the top of the reader has to do with finding your "pupillary center". You can follow the discussion in what  @phxazcraig describes as to how to "self place" - OR, I found the folks at most optical shops are willing to assist. 

To amplify on the one issue I had with my mask - I said sometimes the glass hit my nose.   What I meant was that the (sharp-ish) edges of the prescription lenses would sometimes hit the bridge of my nose, and it was very uncomfortable then.   I have a 5.5 diopter correction, so those lenses they glue into the mask aren't small.   Part of the problem was having my strap too tight, but it is a very close fit for me.

I got my mask mail order.  Perhaps I would have noticed the tight fit there had I tried it on in a shop with someone who knew what to look for.  I'm thinking maybe the edges could be ground back away from my nose a bit.