La emoción de adentrarse en el fondo marino y contemplar la biodiversidad de nuestras costas es una eThe excitement of diving into the ocean depths and taking in the biodiversity of our coastlines is an incomparable experience. However, for many people passionate about the sea or interested in trying scuba diving for the first time, very specific questions arise before slipping into a wetsuit. Two of the most frequent questions we get asked at dive centers are: Can I wear contact lenses underwater? and, above all, What happens if I usually suffer from ear problems or struggle to equalize pressure?
Heading out to dive with health or vision questions is completely understandable. The good news is that poor eyesight or certain ear issues do not have to be an insurmountable obstacle to enjoying the ocean, as long as you know the available technical solutions, medical limits, and essential precautions you must take before submerging. In this comprehensive guide, we are going to resolve both questions in detail so you can jump into the water with complete peace of mind and maximum safety.
Scuba Diving with Contact Lenses or Prescription Lenses: Everything You Need to Know
For those who need vision correction in their daily lives, the idea of diving meters below the surface without being able to clearly see marine life, their pressure gauge, or their dive computer is frustrating. Fortunately, there are effective alternatives for seeing perfectly underwater.
Can You Wear Contact Lenses While Scuba Diving?
The short answer is yes, you can dive with contact lenses, but it requires taking certain basic precautions. Thousands of divers around the world wear contact lenses on their dives without experiencing any issues. However, you should keep in mind what happens in the hypothetical event that your dive mask accidentally floods underwater:
- Risk of loss: If water enters the mask and you instinctively open your eyes, the contact lens can shift or float away.
- Risk of infection or irritation: Seawater (or pool water) contains bacteria and microorganisms that can become trapped between the contact lens and your cornea.
- Increased eye dryness: A combination of saltwater or dry airflow from the regulator on the surface can dry out your eyes slightly.
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses vs. Reusable Lenses
If you decide to dive with contact lenses, the unanimous recommendation from optometrists and diving professionals is to use daily disposable soft contact lenses.
- Daily disposables: They are the best option. If they get flooded with saltwater or contaminated, you simply throw them away after the dive and put in a fresh, clean pair.
- Rigid or gas-permeable (RGP) lenses: They are not recommended for diving. Due to pressure changes, small nitrogen bubbles can become trapped between the lens and the eye, causing blurry vision or sharp discomfort during ascent.
Practical Tips for Diving with Contact Lenses
- Always notify your guide or instructor: It is essential that the professional accompanying you knows you wear contact lenses so they can keep it in mind during mask-clearing exercises.
- Close your eyes if the mask floods: If water enters your mask, keep your eyes gently closed while performing the clearing maneuver by exhaling air through your nose.
- Carry saline solution or artificial tears: Upon exiting the water, rinse your eyes with saline solution before removing or replacing your contact lenses.
The Ultimate Alternative: Prescription Dive Masks
If you dive frequently or prefer not to risk wearing contact lenses underwater, the best solution is to invest in a prescription dive mask. Today, most leading brands (such as Cressi, Mares, or Aqualung) offer interchangeable optical lenses to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or even presbyopia. It is a comfortable, durable, and 100% safe option that eliminates logistical worries at the root.
Main Causes and How to Manage Ear Problems While Diving
Entering the aquatic environment means subjecting the body to gradual pressure changes as you descend. While vision is easily corrected, ear problems require a clear understanding of human anatomy and diving safety rules.
SIMPLIFIED EAR ANATOMY
Outer Ear Middle Ear Inner Ear
┌────────────────┐ ┌───────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐
│ Ear Canal │ │ Tympanic │ │ Cochlea │
│ (Seawater) │ ──► │ Cavity (Air │ ───► │ Semicircular │
│ │ | │ Bubble) │ │ Canals │
└────────────────┘ | └───────────────┘ └─────────────────┘
│ ▲
Eardrum │
Membrane Eustachian
Tube (Connects to pharynx)
As you descend below the surface, water pressure on the eardrum membrane increases. If we do not equalize properly by introducing air into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube, pain and well-known ear barotrauma problems occur.
Practical Guide to Preventing Ear Problems on Your Dives
Experiencing discomfort or being prone to congestion does not necessarily mean giving up scuba diving, but it does require being very rigorous with prevention and mastering equalization techniques.
The Importance of Equalizing From the Surface
The most common mistake among beginners is waiting until they feel pain to try equalizing. The golden rule in diving is to equalize early and often:
- Start equalizing right at the surface, just before putting your head underwater.
- Equalize gently every half meter during the first few meters of descent, which is where the volumetric pressure change is most drastic.
- Never force the maneuver: If you feel pain, stop your descent immediately, ascend a few decimeters until the discomfort disappears, and try again calmly.
Effective Equalization Techniques to Avoid Ear Problems
Although the most famous maneuver is the Valsalva (pinching your nose with your fingers and blowing gently through it with your mouth closed), it is not always the best fit for everyone. There are alternatives that are much gentler on middle ear tissues:
- Frenzel Technique: Involves pinching your nose and pressing the back of your tongue against your soft palate. It is a very precise muscular maneuver and less aggressive than the Valsalva.
- Toynbee Maneuver: Performed by pinching your nose and swallowing at the same time. As you swallow, muscles pull open the Eustachian tube, allowing air to enter.
- Roydhouse Technique: Involves contracting the muscles of the soft palate and throat (similar to yawning with your mouth closed) to voluntarily open the passages.
Equalization Techniques Comparison
| Technique | How It Is Performed | Advantages |
| Valsalva | Pinch nose and blow | Very easy to learn |
| Frenzel | Move tongue back/up | Fast and chest-effortless |
| Toynbee | Pinch nose and swallow | Very natural and gentle |
| Roydhouse / BTM | Yawn / Open soft palate | Hands-free and pressure-free |
When Ear Problems Prevent Diving: Limits and Contraindications
There are temporary or chronic health conditions in which diving is strictly contraindicated until evaluated by a doctor specializing in hyperbaric/underwater medicine or an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist).
Temporary Contraindications
These are passing conditions that prevent the free circulation of air through the respiratory tract and Eustachian tube:
- Colds, flu, or allergic rhinitis: Mucus and inflammation block the tubes. Diving while congested can cause a “reverse block” (trapped air during ascent) that generates severe pain and prevents expanding air from escaping.
- Active infections (Otitis Externa or Media): Seawater in an inflamed canal or middle ear dysfunction will severely worsen the infection.
- Use of nasal decongestants: You should never dive under the influence of vasoconstrictor sprays. When their effect wears off mid-dive, the rebound congestion will prevent you from equalizing during ascent.
Absolute Contraindications or Severe Conditions
In these scenarios, ear issues advise abstaining from scuba diving unless a specialized medical professional provides explicit formal clearance:
- Previous or unhealed eardrum perforation: Can cause cold water to enter the middle ear directly, triggering violent vertigo and severe spatial disorientation.
- Previous ear surgeries: Surgical procedures on the ossicular chain (such as a stapedectomy).
- Meniere’s Syndrome or history of chronic vertigo: Loss of balance in a 3D underwater environment is extremely dangerous.
Regulations, Medical Certificates, and Ear Care
In Spain, recreational diving is regulated at the state level by Royal Decree 550/2020, of June 2, which establishes safety conditions for diving activities.
SELF-RESPONSIBLE HEALTH DECLARATION (RD 550/2020)
│
┌────────────────┴────────────────┐
▼ ▼
"NO" Answers to "YES" Answer to
Entire Questionnaire Ear/Vision Problems
│ │
▼ ▼
Fit to Dive Specialized Medical
Directly Clearance Required
- Medical Questionnaire: Before doing a try dive or a course at any certified dive center, you must complete an official medical questionnaire. If you indicate that you suffer from ear problems, rhinitis, or other relevant conditions, you will need to present a medical certificate of fitness for diving.
- Rinse with fresh water: After finishing your dives along the marvelous coastline, always rinse your ears thoroughly with clean fresh water to remove salt and sand residues.
- Drying and prevention: Avoid using cotton swabs, as they can create micro-traumas in the skin of the ear canal and harbor bacteria. If you are prone to otitis from saltwater, talk to your doctor about using preventive drying drops formulated with boric alcohol after diving.
Final Recommendations for Caring for Your Ears and Vision Underwater
Enjoying scuba diving to the fullest is completely compatible with using vision correction and taking good care of your auditory health. To ensure your experience is seamless, always keep this quick checklist in mind:
- Opt for daily soft contact lenses or a prescription mask: Prioritize hygiene and visual comfort before jumping off the boat.
- Never dive with nasal congestion: If you have mucus or difficulty breathing through your nose, postpone the dive for another day.
- Learn to equalize gently and without rushing: Descend at the speed your ears dictate; never accelerate just to keep up with the group.
- Communicate any discomfort to your guide: Professional instructors are trained to adapt the descent rate to your individual needs.
- Consult health professionals: If you have any doubts about ear issues, consult an ENT specialist trained in underwater medicine.
Enjoy Diving with Maximum Safety and Peace of Mind
Don’t let doubts about your eyes or ears keep you from discovering the beauty of the underwater world. Diving safely, comfortably, and in a personalized manner is the key to overcoming any minor technical hurdle and turning every dive into an unforgettable memory.
If you want to take your first steps underwater or continue your training with professionals who adapt 100% to your pace and unique needs, Pasku Dive offers exclusive and attentive service. Our team will be delighted to advise you so that you can enjoy the ocean floor with complete confidence, comfort, and safety. Visit our website, contact us, and book your next underwater adventure today!
