Swimming with poor eyesight HELP!!!?

Question

Without glasses my eyesight is poor, about 20/400 and I am near-sighted so I can only see the outline of objects or people from a distance. I am required to do a test without glasses in the water listening to the instructor and possibly having to do things in the water such as tying trousers together or something.

Will I have any problems with my eyesight in water (a pool) and will I be able to see everything? I'm worried I might look stupid as I rely on specs, although I am not legally blind and if I came up to something close, could easily see it.

Thanks for your help (p.s. no prescription goggles allowed).

ALSO WOULD I BE ABLE TO JUMP OFF THE DIVING BOARD AS REQUIRED WITHOUT SPECS

Answer 1

You should be able to do everything, but you will probably have a headache by the end.

I once had to use a girl's strong prescription goggles for a race because mine broke on the starting block, and my head hurt for the rest of the day because of that.

Answer 2

My daughter, son and I all swim with contacts. The key is to use well fitting goggles and wear your contacts. That way you can open your eyes and the contacts are protected. Voila, you can see underwater.

Answer 3

My eyesight is comparable to yours. I rely on contact lenses in the pool, but only because I know I won't be opening my eyes underwater.

How you do on the test depends on what you'll be asked to do -- obviously. Following verbal instructions? Manipulating close objects? No problem. Finding coins on the bottom? Reading lips? Not so good. You should be able to go off the diving board without a problem. The board is straight, has no obstacles, and is usually high contrast to its surroundings.

Just let the instructor know that you are very nearsighted so they don't make unreasonable requests.

Good luck!