Apnea lenses

[deepdive]

Hi,

Just a short, but for me an very important question. For my underwater shows using a mask or fluid goggle is not an option. To avoid red eyes and protect my eyes against poolwater I use cheap one day contactlenses, without correction. But I can still not see clearly underwater.

Many years ago I heard about the Apnea lenses, I guess Umberto used them several times. But I cannot find them anymore.....

Does anybody know where I can find apnea lenses? I know that they are expensive, that's no problem.

Safe diving, all the best,

Kitty-Madison
FreeMerfolk Productions
www.freemerfolk.nl :: Kitty Mermaid official website

[Gwaihir]

As a contact lense user my self, I always thought that lenses would fall off if I opened my eyes under water ?????

[deepdive]

Originally Posted by Gwaihir

As a contact lense user my self, I always thought that lenses would fall off if I opened my eyes under water ?????

No. The contactlenses I use without correction are 15 mm in diameter. I've never problems with it. The apnea lenses are 22 mm in diameter....

[Jorg]

In 2001 I had contact with Adelmo Rocchi at roccade@inwind.it
He was the supplier for Umberto and his lenses back then.

Here is the text he send me:

Ottica ROCCHI Adelmo
Occhiali – lenti a contatto

Roma,

Dear Mr

Tank for your enquiry. To proceed with your request, we firstly need to know your visual data. This information is necessary to study the specific lens’s design only mapped out for you.

Specifically we need to know:
* Your exact visual defect
* Your corneal map (or your corneal parameters)
* Your corneal diameter

Including set up costs (necessary to carry out the first project of lenses) the price for your first pair will be £. 1.000.000 each (∈516.46) ; subsequent pairs will be £. 500.000 each (∈258.23 ).

The first pair will be available in 20 days, the next one in 15 days.

If you want to make a reservation, in addition to your specific data, you should send an account of £. 500.000 (∈258.23).

Best regard

I don't know if they still use that email and if they still excists. But of course you find out for yourself. Good luck!

[deepdive]

Hi, Jorg,

Thank you for the information:-)) The e-mail address does not excist. Do you also have an phonenumber or website of it? I tried Google, but mister Google can't find it............

Kitty-Madison

[deepdive]

Found it

OTTICA - Rocchi Adelmo but the e-mail address below does not work. I have to type it over....

[trux]

Originally Posted by deepdive

I tried Google, but mister Google can't find it............

It looks like Mr. Google does not like you. He gave me hundreds of links for "Ottica ROCCHI Adelmo Occhiali" and one of the first ones pointed me to their website: Ottica Rocchi - Home


EDIT: ahh, I just see Mr. Google changed his mind in the mean time

[Gwaihir]

Wow what a strange revelation,I havent opened my eyes underwater since I was 13-14 years old. I have always been afraid of loosing my lenses when swimming at beach or in the pool. but after trying to open my eyes with my head in a bucket full of water,I se now that there is noting to be afraid of I culd look around,blink and not lose the lenses.
What a weird thing to find out at the age of 34 ha ha.And only trugh the freediving community
I dont think I will be diving thou,as there was clear irritation going on in my eye and eyelids, I guess that's what the apnea lenses fixex,by being bigger in diameter,that a standard sight correcting lens.

[Bill]

Gwaihir
It's always fun to learn 'new tricks'. My mask cost many $ with the prescription lenses and then my daughter taught me that it's OK to wear contacts instead. In ten years, I've lost two contacts (not counting the time that I made a 10 meter cliff dive) and the plastic ones that I wear only cost a few dollars.

[jome]

I've been aware that contacts stay on and use them regularily when diving with a mask, but I've also been under the impression that when they come in contact with water (pool or sea), they are "contaminated" and that is something you should avoid.

So I'm not sure that using contacts for the purpose of "protecting the eyes" is really useful, in fact I've always thought it's the opposite. If they come in contact with water, you should take them off first chance you get. I guess the problem is something like if water get's stuck between the eye and the lense, all kinds of nasty things start to happen.

Might be wrong, but just thought I'd warn you.

[Magpie]

I use lenses whilst diving and have lost a few jumping into the water on occasion (without mask).

I've also had them pop out while diving so have swum to a rock to haul out on, retrieved errant lens from inside the mask and put it back in. I use continuous wear lenses and have had them in constantly for another 20+ days after them being in contact with the sea by doing this with no problems.

I'm not saying its right and that everyone would be fine, I'm sure there is an infection risk, but I'm ok.

[Lockedin]

Living just north of Los Angeles, I have become used to the idea of extra ear / nose / throat care; due to the additional "bacterial" issues of my locale (read: really nasty micro beasts from LA's septic system). I do not wear contacts, but I imagine that a standard contact wash routine would be sufficient.

BTW, anyone who swims in "questionable" waters (Malibu Pier, and the Santa Clara Rivermouth, in my case) should be performing at least a bit of a decontamination regimen. eg: Antiseptic rinse for mouth & throat, sterile saline nasal douche, and occasional ear lavage following water sports.

I'm more than a bit paranoid: I contracted a severe Staph infection following a 2 hour surf at Malibu. After 3 days, I could barely walk into my doctor's office. He informed me that I had four HUGE boils full of Staph - required lancing, scooping, and almost 6 weeks out of the water!Careful all!