Prescription Swim Goggles – Optical Swim Goggles

Swim goggles were used by Persian divers as early as the 14th century. These divers used protective goggles made of polished tortoise shells. The swim goggles that we know now came into existence sometime around the 1960s. Since then, technological advancements have made it possible for manufacturers to make prescription swim goggles with both positive and negative diopters.

For those who use corrective lenses for vision correction, swimming with normal swim goggles is just the same as going in water without any lens. Good vision is just as important when in water as it is otherwise. Keeping with this requirement in mind, as well as the need to look good, a range of prescription swim goggles are being made by manufacturers in various colors and designs.

Need for Prescription Swim Goggles

We see objects when light rays are reflected from them back to our eyes. However, light rays behave differently in different media. This is the reason why the floor of a swimming pool appears higher than it actually is. Hence, while swimming, the eye-hand co-ordination may be difficult to maintain. Swim goggles provide a pocket of air around the eyes that reduces the anomaly in vision caused when light rays travel from one medium to another. This provides greater precision to our vision. In case of those who are nearsighted, farsighted or suffer from astigmatism, using corrective lenses underwater becomes all the more important. It is here that using prescription inserts in swim goggles comes into consideration. However, the same prescription for contact lenses or eye glass lens that one normally wears cannot be used for swim goggles. This is because the diopter of the lens varies according to the distance between the eyes and the lens when it is worn. This is the same reason why the diopter of the contact lenses and the eyeglass lenses for the same individual are not identical.

If a person using corrective lenses wants to swim, he will have to opt for prescription swim goggles. For those with a weak eyesight, swimming without corrective lenses will cause blurred vision. Swimming with one's glasses on is out of question as the inconvenience is pretty obvious. Wearing normal contact lenses while swimming can cause them to fall out. Also the chlorine in the water of swimming pools tends to spoil contact lenses. All these problems highlight the benefits of wearing optical swimming goggles. For getting proper optical swim goggles, one must consult an eye-care professional who specializes in sports eye wear.

Choice, Choice and Choice!

Prescription swim goggles can be pre-made or can be customized according to one's need. In case of nearsightedness or farsightedness of the same degree in both the eyes, pre-made optical swim goggles may be a convenient option, as these are easily available in the market. However, for those with varying diopters in both eyes, prescription swimming goggles need to be custom-made. This is also true for those with astigmatism. For custom-made optical swim goggles, prescription inserts could be used for any model. Lenses for swim goggles are available in a large variety of material like acrylic, plastic and glass.

For better knowledge of the options available, it is best to consult an eye wear provider. They are usually aware of companies that provide prescription swimming goggles. A regular eye doctor or a sports vision specialist may also be able to help you in getting the right pair. One can also search the Internet for more information as most of the companies put a detailed information of their products online. It is possible to purchase these products online and shipping within US is free in most cases.

With so many options available, prescription lenses should not hold you back from taking a splash in the pool. Take out your favorite swimwear and put on those fabulous prescription swim goggles to enjoy cool afternoons in the pool this summer!