Someone just told me that a contact lens can fuse to the eyeball at scubadiving depths. I've worn contacts up to 100' without a problem taking them off later. Actually, the dry air usually makes them want to fall out prematurely so this phenomenon sounds like hogwash to me. Has anyone heard of such a thing as lens fusion? Perhaps a prescription mask is best?

J.C. try a key word search at the bottom of the page. I haven't heard that the lens can fuse but I have heard that you can get a VERY nasty bacteria in them from wearing them when you dive .. Especially if your mask should flood..

There only potential problem with contacts inside of a dive mask is washing them off and loosing them. Changing contacts frequently to avoid contamination and irritation to the cornea also makes sense. They will not "fuse" to the cornea.

Many divers do notice, after a dive, that contacts are slow to "off gas" and therefore are thicker and changed in shape, resulting in blurred vision for as much as one-half to one hour after diving.

J.C.-

Read this article from D.A.N.:

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=88

If that link doesn't work, go to www.diversalertnetwork.org, click on Frequently Asked Questions, click on Diving With Contacts.

That should answer your question

J.C. I dove with contacts with no difficulties. I now highly recommend the Lasik surgery, lose the contacts/glasses altogether. It will be the best money you'll ever spend.

I dove with "hard lenses" for 20 years & the worse problem I ever had was one came out & stuck to the inside of my mask throughout the dive.
Cecil's correct. Get the refractive sx, you'll be glad you did. I had the older RK about 6 years ago
& don't miss the contacts. Went from a -6.5 diopters to 20/20 now.

Thanks for the responses. Since I'm at a -8.5 I figured I'd still need corrective lenses even after the surgery. Perhaps its worth looking into further.