Can you scuba dive with glasses or contact lenses?

You can scuba dive if you wear glasses, but you cannot wear them under a mask because the frames break the seal. The two main options for divers who need vision correction are contact lenses or prescription mask lenses. Both work well, and it comes down to comfort, safety, and personal preference.

Soft contact lenses are safe for most divers, though you should close your eyes if your mask floods or comes off underwater. Prescription mask lenses are another option, either as inserts or built directly into the glass. They cost more but remove the risk of losing a contact mid-dive.

I personally dive with a prescription mask because of corneal abrasions from sand as a child that make contact lenses risky for me. My eyesight without glasses is still good enough to see generally well, just slightly fuzzy. I got my open water certification and my first fifty dives without prescription lenses, but I eventually switched because I wanted to see the underwater world more clearly.

Diving With Glasses: Prescription Masks, Contacts, and Options

Struggling to see underwater? Explore your best options for diving with glasses, including prescription dive masks, contact lenses, and stick-ons.

How to Choose the Best Dive Mask

Choosing the best dive mask for scuba diving, including tips on fit, lens types, prescription options, defogging, and common mistakes to avoid.

Is a Backup Mask Necessary?

Is a backup scuba mask worth carrying on recreational dives? Learn when and why to bring one, how to store it, and what kind of diver benefits most.