Best Prescription Snorkel Masks

Type of Lens Integration: Bi-focal Dive Mask

Except for complicated visual problems like astigmatism, the Promate Prescription Dive Mask is designed to be used by divers and snorkelers that needs prescription lenses for vision correction. This diving mask with prescription lenses can address both nearsightedness and farsightedness using an OP250 lens. The lens itself is bi-focal and has two division which is divided by a visible segmented line. The upper portion is made up of tempered glass which is a type of safety glass that can withstand internal stress and has no graded lens. The lower portion is a gauge reader that has a diopter step lens being offered from +1.0, +1.5, +2.0, +2.5, +3.0, +3.5 and +4.0 which is all made up of a OP251 material. In other words, the upper lens is designed for distance vision while the lower lens is designed for looking at objects at a close distance. While there are several visual magnifications being offered in the Promate Prescription Dive Mask, all you need to do before purchasing this product is to share your visual grade and the technician will install the right prescription lens for you.

As far as the mask is concerned, it is classified as a low volume mask and has a facial seal of 4.5 x 3 inches (width x height) which is ideal for divers and snorkelers with a medium-sized face. It has a highly elastic strap and the skirt has a double edge seal which are all made up of silicone.

The only downside with this best-selling prescription mask is the 0.5 step increment of the diopter step lens where some users may need to round down or increase their visual correction factor. For example: a diver or a snorkeler who has been using a +3.25 diopter step lens may need to round down to +3.0 or increase to +3.5 as this are the only available increments.

Type of Lens Integration: Drop-in Lens

The Promate Prescription Purge Mask is designed to be used for divers and snorkelers who are nearsighted ranging from -1.0 to -10.0 and those who are farsighted ranging from +1.0 to +4.0 all using a diopter step lens. You need to be aware that, the same with the previously described Promate Prescription Mask, the Promate Prescription Purge Mask is only offered with 0.5 increments and that you need to round down or increase your optical mask prescription grade in case you fall in between the specified figures.

The good thing with this prescription mask is that it is fully designed to give you a clear view of the surroundings courtesy from its purge features. While water may come inside the mask once in a while, getting it out would require you less effort during a mask clearing since water will exit at the purge valve located at the lower skirt of the mask. This in turn will prevent water from obstructing your vision as compared to non-purge mask where the water will splash and scatter once you perform mask clearing.

Aside from the purge valve, the mask itself features low volume with a slim fit. It has a channel at the bottom of the silicone skirt which directs both bubbles and water away from your direct view. The straps and buckles can easily be adjusted courtesy from its multi-directional swivel. It also comes with the Promate Cobra Snorkel which features a purge valve system that makes water clearing so easy. 

Some users who have used the Promate Prescription  scuba diving mask for the first time told us that fogging and misting persist. With this, we highly recommend that you spray some commercial defog on the lens to prevent this undesirable visual discomfort.

Type of Lens Integration: Drop-in Lens

At a first glance, the Scuba Choice Blue Diving Prescription Mask just looks like your ordinary diving mask. But if you take a closer look especially at the lens, you will realize that this is a prescription diving mask. And not just any prescription mask, this one is specially designed for nearsighted users. It uses a diopter step lens with several choices of correction factors ranging from -1.0 up to -6.0.

The components of the mask is composed of a highly transparent silicone that gives you all over-all bright view of the surroundings. Its silicone-base strap is highly flexible yet strong enough giving you a nice head placement. Just in case the strap is dislodged from the assembly, you can easily place it back and quickly adjust according to your preferred tightness courtesy from its unique buckle design.

If you just bought your Scuba Choice Blue Diving Prescription Mask and try to fit it while on land, you will observe that things are slightly blurred. But this does not mean that you got the wrong prescription lens. Once you go underwater, you will observe that objects will come out clear as the water tends to correct the magnification in a slight degree. This is the reason why most of the users of this particular perscription mask tends to purchase a weaker prescription lens. For example, if you are comfortably using -3.0, then what you should use is a mask that has a -2.5 lens. And one more thing, while it is a fact that most kids are nearsighted, we are sad to say that the Scuba Choice Blue Diving Prescription Mask has not yet manufactured scuba frames that will fit a child’s face or any facial contour that can be considered relatively small.

Type of Lens Integration: Drop-in Lens

Sometimes, using a mask that is made up of a fine clear silicone may cause too much illumination that it will come to a point that you will be dazzled especially on a hot sunny day. This is the reason why some may opt to use a black colored silicone material to optimize brightness where you can have a better focus on the subject. And one of the black colored silicone mask with a corrective lens available in the market is the Scuba Choice Black Perscription Mask. This eyewear is designed to be used for nearsighted snorkelers and divers with a wider range of optical prescription ranging from -1.0 to -10.0 with 0.5 increments.

Since the Scuba Choice Black Prescription Mask has one of the highest diopter lens rating, many have considered this an efficient mask even if one suffers minor astigmatism. For example, one user who has been diagnosed with a minor astigmatism and at the same time is extremely nearsighted, shared to us that everything was clear while underwater when he used this particular mask with a -9.0 factor.

There are some misconceptions about using prescription mask where a common wrongdoing is the non-application of an anti-fogging agent such as commercial defog or as simple as toothpaste. You have to remember that prescription mask that uses the drop-in type of lens integration needs to be defog once in a while as the visual mechanism it uses is pretty much similar to a regular mask. It can withstand soft chemicals from the commercial defog or from the toothpaste and applying a small amount on the lens before snorkeling or diving would significantly reduced fogging or misting incidents. Just don’t forget to rinse the toothpaste before using it.

Type of Lens Integration: Drop-in Lens

The IST Optical Corrective Mask is a broad range prescription mask that is designed for use by snorkelers and divers who either nearsighted or farsighted. As far as the lens selection is concerned, it uses a diopter step lens that has a long range of optical factor from -8.0 (for nearsighted) up to +4.0 (for farsighted). All you need to do is just tell the manufacturer your prescribed optical grading and they will be very glad to assemble and integrate the lens for you. Once you receive it, it is ready for use. 

When it comes to mask components, the IST Optical Corrective Mask is not just designed to take care of your eyes, but also your skin. Its skirt are made out of hypoallergenic silicone which is very gentle to most skin types without suffering any allergic reaction. The mask straps are designed to be widely split which will give you a nice fit without suffering any head or mask squeeze which can become painful especially after the dive. This is further complemented with its swiveling buckles that can be rotated and adjusted according to your preferred angle strap. The only downside we see with the IST Optical Mask is that it only comes in a single size. Given the fact that it can fit most facial contours and profiles, the mask is suited to be used with a narrow shape face.

Type of Lens Integration: Drop-in Lens
* with Integrated Prescription Lens and Water Sports Camera Mount

Full face snorkel masks are fast gaining its popularity nowadays, and so does its prescription version. The Promate Prescription full face snorkel mask is designed specifically for nearsighted snorkelers where you can choose a lens grading from -1.5 to -6.0 with a 0.5 increment in between.

When compared to a typical mask, a full face snorkel mask allows you to breathe either from the nose, mouth or both. Instead of a snorkel which is a standalone accessory for masks, the full face snorkel mask has an integrated front mounted snorkel that is built within the mask itself. So there is no need for you to adjust or install the snorkel before you proceed to your favorite snorkeling site. It has a thick skirt which can give you a total seal against water making the inside totally dry even if you opt to go underwater. The total seal feature of the Promate Full Face Prescription Mask is considered a “Physical Anti-Fog” feature as water is prevented from entering while the warm air you just exhaled will be directed to the integrated snorkeling pipes at the side, instead of getting in direct contact with the lens itself.

While some of the previously mentioned prescription mask limits it usage to adults, the Promate Full Face Prescription Mask can be used by both adults and teenagers. This is due to the fact that the size of the full face mask is offered in different sizes ranging from small to large. For sizing reference, a large size full face mask can snugly fit to a face having a size of 12 centimeters (4.7 inches). And in case you are in to sports camera, you should appreciate this full face mask as it has a mounting on the top where you can easily attach your compact sports camera and document your underwater adventures while being hands-free.

Type of Lens Integration: Inclined / Drop-in Lens

Have you observed that when we use your eyeglasses, we tend to incline it to a certain degree. We do it unconsciously until it will come to a point that we are used to it. This is where the problem comes when we wear prescription mask as there is no such thing as an inclined mask. However, this problem has the challenge the designers of an Italian scuba gear manufacturer that they decided to have a tempered glass installed in an inclined position, which they patented later on under Patent No. US6272693.. 

The Cressi Focus Dive Mask with Inclined Lens is the first of its kind where you don’t need to elevate the position of your head in order to read something that is small or focus on a small object. But take note that the lens that are pre-installed in the mask are not prescription lens. However, it can be installed with one according to your specified optical rating.

Its low volume mask that has a twin lens design is considered to be one of the most versatile mask that can fit most types of facial contours and shapes. Speaking of low volume and inclined lenses, these two features is complimenting each other where the result gives you a clear view of your surrounding as both of your eyes are positioned near the lens which is pretty similar in wearing an eyewear. The mask is lightweight and compact that is made from a soft and hypoallergenic silicone. The skirt has a double feathered edge that provides an excellent facial seal.

Type of Lens Integration: Drop-in Lens

If there is one model and brand of prescription scuba mask that is most copied, then nothing beats the Tusa Liberator Plus Mask. It has been copied but its duplication has never reached perfection. And why is this so? It’s due to its features that are relatively simple yet functional.

This low volume mask features a 2-window lens that is encased in a smooth yet durable frame with a hypoallergenic twin feathered skirt that is gentle to the skin of our face. It has a highly elastic strap yet durable enough to give you a snuggle fit and stays in place even when it comes in contact with waves. As for the pre-installed lens, they are made from tempered glass and has the upgrade features where you can fit it with a corrective lens (MC-5000) that is sold separately. While the Tusa Liberator Plus Mask is a product of innovation from older models, such as the Tusa Liberator and the Tusa Imprex, the corrective lens that will be fitted in this particular prescription mask can also fit other models of Tusa mask.

Now, here’s a thing about men using prescription mask. It’s not about their vision. It has something to do with some men having a moustache where the extended hair above the lips may interfere with the seal of the skirt. According to one of the many users of the Tusa Liberator Plus Mask claimed that the 2-feathered seal of the skirt perfectly tucks in his moustache and no water came in.

Type of Lens Integration: Drop-in Lens (Standalone / Lens only)

Most of us may have our own diving or snorkeling mask where we are already accustomed to its comfort and fit features. But what if you need to use prescription lenses, do you need a new mask? No need to buy one as you can buy only the prescription lens as an added standalone accessory, like the Tusa Corrective Lens. But word of caution: this corrective lens would only fit the previously mentioned Tusa Liberator Plus Mask and its lower version like the Tusa Liberator and the Tusa Imprex. It may not fit to other brands and models of diving mask and snorkeling masks.

This accessory package comes with the left and right corrective lens where you can choose from a wide gradings of diopter step lens ranging from -1.5 to -8.0. The graded classification of corrective lens would tell you that this is designed for use with nearsightedness.

Another word of caution: many have personally attempted to change and install the corrective lens on their mask which often ends up in a damaged eyewear. We highly suggest that you visit a dive shop or a qualified technician and allow them to properly install the corrective lens.

Type of Lens Integration: Drop-in Lens

Some of us may opt to use an ultra-low volume swim mask, which in this case, you’re best option is to wear swimming goggles while exercising with a snorkel for swimming laps. But have you ever heard of a pair of goggles with prescription lenses? Now you know and we are introducing to you the Zionor Prescription Goggles.

As far as optical correction factor is concerned, this prescription goggles offers a wide range of diopter step lens from -2.0 up to -10.0 with a 0.5 increment. This means that nearsighted snorkelers would love this piece of equipment. Again, we reiterate: only snorkelers and not scuba divers as this piece has no nose pocket (so it is not a prescription swim mask) which is deemed important when you go scuba diving while performing the mask clearing or mask recovery skill. The lens of this prescription goggles are tinted which many have appreciated its reduced light on a bright sunny day and not being dazzled. Just do not forget to place back the underwater goggles to its casing after use as the tint can easily be scratch and may affect the quality of your underwater vision.