Prescription Swimming Goggles Help
What do I need to do first?
Before Choosing Prescription Swimming Goggles, find out what your existing eyeglass prescription is! The person who tested your eyes or who dispensed your last pair of glasses will have this information and will give you the details. The prescription numbers will contain some uncommon terms, such as:
- OD – Ocular Dexter (simply means your RIGHT eye)
- OS – Ocular Sinister (your LEFT eye)
- Sphere – This measures the degree of weakness in diopters and for nearsighted (myopic) people this is always a (-) negative number
- Cylinder – This refers to the degree of astigmatism in the eye. In selecting step diopter lenses (which do not correct for cylinder) you must add one half (½) of this number (to a maximum of .50 diopter) to the sphere number to determine the correct step diopter lens!
CAUTION: Ophthalmologists often use a + (positive) number for cylinder and you then have to be careful with the + and – signs when doing the calculations!
How do I choose the proper strength lens?
Choosing the proper strength lens can seem a little confusing, which is why we have provided you with a quick and easy way to determine what lens strength is right for you.
The selection of appropriate corrective lenses for the swimming goggles does require some understanding of your visual acuity requirements and your most recent prescription.
How do I calculate my lens strength?
Choosing Prescription Swimming Goggles lens strength can be done easily by using our calculator or manually by using the formula below.
| Sphere | Cylinder | Diopter Strength | |
|---|---|---|---|
| O.D. (right eye) | |||
| O.S. (left eye) |
SPH____ + 1/2 Cyl ____ = _____
For example,
- If the sphere (Sph) is -2.5 and the cylinder (Cyl) is -1, then -2.5 + (1/2 x -1) = -3 step diopter lens: Adding -2.5 and -0.5 together
- If the sphere is -4.0 and the cylinder is +1, then -4.0 + (1/2 x +1] = -3.5 step diopter lens: Adding -4 and +0.5 together
*Note that we do not recommend moving more than 0.50 in either direction,.
In situations where the cylinder is 0, the same formula is still used.
For example,
- If the sphere is -2.5 and the cylinder is 0, then -2.5 + (1/2 x 0) = -2.5 step diopter lens
- If the sphere is -4.0 and the cylinder is 0, then -4.0 + (1/2 x 0) = -4 step diopter lens
See, simple! By plugging in the appropriate values into the formula above, you can determine what lens strength you need for your Aquagoggles prescription swim goggles!
Do not move more than a 0.50 diopter step in either direction from your sphere.
Once you have this information, our goggles can be selected here.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us
There is also a great tool at Glasses Simulator
Special Considerations
In order to produce lenses for swimming goggles, and keep the price reasonable they are made in one-half (.5) diopter increments. These lenses are not a full custom prescription and do not correct for cylinder or astigmatism. They are not intended for full-time wear. Extended wear of step diopter lenses will cause various degrees of eye strain but they are more than adequate for occasional wear especially if the cylinder is close to or less than 1.
Always move DOWN to the closest step diopter! If the calculation of your prescription shows that you should have a -2.75 (step diopter lens) then you should choose a -2.5 lens for the swimming goggles. This causes less strain and you will be unlikely to notice any significant loss of acuity within a reasonable distance. There is also a slight magnifying effect when underwater.
Getting used to Step Diopter Lenses
The corrective lenses in these swimming goggles do not have correction for cylinder and are not a direct match for your regular prescription but are more than adequate for temporary use.
A number of swimmers have told us that it takes a short while to adjust to their goggles. Wear them for a few minutes, your eyes will adjust and you will be more than satisfied with the results! Enjoy your swimming experiences and please drop us an email with your comments.
Fitting and Care Instructions
We appreciate your business and trust you have received your order in perfect condition. If there is a problem with your order, please contact us so that we may correct this issue as soon as possible.
Please note that the goggle lenses are of step diopter construction. This means that they will not exactly match your prescription and are not meant for prolonged use. Aquagoggles are recommended for recreational swimming and should not be used for diving or other high-impact water sports. Careless or inappropriate use can cause injury.
Fitting your goggles
Goggles come pre-assembled with the seal/strap combo already in place. All you have to do is adjust the head strap tension to suit your size and comfort. Remember, tighter is not necessarily better, as this may cause discomfort and markings around the eyes.
Goggles are also shipped with Small, Medium and Large sized nosepieces. The Medium nosepiece comes pre-installed. If the goggles do not fit right, stand in front of a mirror with the goggles held to your eyes and without the nose bridge installed. Find the most comfortable position. Select the nosepiece that best fits your comfort position (the space between the lenses) and clip the nosepiece in place.
Removing the nosepiece
Firmly grip the outside of an eyecup piece and the nosepiece. Carefully pull on the nosepiece until it pops out. A small twist and pull motion may be needed as the nosepiece fits quite snuggly. For a demonstration, Aquagoggles Youtube!
Removing and replacing seal/strap
Removing the seal/strap is easy since the Silicone stretches. Carefully pull the seal, starting with the widest end, away from the lens. Pay close attention to how the seal is removed since you’ll be replacing it in the same position. It’s much easier to remove and install with the nosepiece removed. To install, start with the narrow end of the lens and insert it into the narrow end of the seal. There will be a slit in the middle of the seal for the lens to fit in. Push the lens as far down into the seal as possible (try to get it as close to centered as possible as well), then pull the seal forwards and push the other end into the top of the lens cup groove, then work the seal around the lens into the molded retaining groove. A rolling and pushing action with your thumb will help ensure a full seal. You will faintly see the seal in the groove of the lens. This will ensure that the seal is on the lens properly.
Adjusting strap
When adjusting the straps for correct tension, DO NOT PULL on the ends of the straps BEFORE you have slid the end sideways out of the ladder retaining clip. This end half loop has an edge that can “nick” the silicone strap and then results in tearing. Note: Do not over tighten, silicone seals do not require much compression to seal properly.
Eyecup Seal
The eyecup seals are part of the strap assembly and fit tightly around the lens itself. If you do peel off this seal for any reason it can be replaced but you do have to stretch & push/roll the seal inwards to get a proper seal. This will take some time to accomplish!
Cleaning
These lenses have been coated with an anti-fog solution during manufacture. This coating will scratch easily and soap or other surfactants can damage the coating. Rinse and shake to dry ONLY. Using fingers, tissues or cloth will scratch the anti-fog coating inside the lenses.
Removal of Anti-fog coating
If you have scratched the coating inside the lens or damaged it by using detergents or other surfactants there is a solution! You can use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to remove all of the factory applied coating. Pour some alcohol inside the lens & let sit for a few minutes then use a fingertip to rub around the inside of the lens, removing the coating and then rinse under hot water. It is not necessary to remove the silicone seals or strap as alcohol will not affect the silicone. Now you have an untreated polycarbonate lens!
If you want an aftermarket solution, we carry Zero-Fog. But there are other options. Your local optometrist or sporting goods store should carry some.
Additional instructions are included with your goggles (blue insert).
Guarantee, Privacy, and Ordering
Aquagoggles.com takes your business seriously and we take all steps necessary to ensure that you can order from us confidently. Please read the following section to learn more:
If you need additional help Choosing Prescription Swim Goggles, please contact us directly and we’ll do our best to answer your questions.
- Prescription Goggles Help – How do I choose the proper strength lens?
- Fitting and Care Instructions – Aquagoggles v2
- Guarantee, Privacy and Ordering
- FAQ
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My eye doctor told me to add the Axis which I have in my prescription but I don’t see that option…
Here is what I have for far sightedness.
Right -3.25 (sphere), -1.0 (Cylinder), 100( Axis)
Left -3.75 (sphere), -.75 (cylinder) 85 axis
Mark,
The lenses correct for Sphere only, but we can adjust based on the Cylinder (Astigmatism) as a workaround.
For you, if we took the whole 1/2 of your Cyl it would end up being -3.75 Right, and -4.125 Left. So we step down a bit from those numbers and get -3.5 Right, and -4 Left.
If my son’s prescription is: OD: -400 -150 *180; OS: -300 -175 *168
What would be his prescription for swim goggles?
Thank you.
Helen,
I’d recommend -4.5 Right and -3.5 Left for your son. Won’t be perfect, but should still work quite well for him.
Hello, the online ordering asks for a diopter for each eye. I have my prescription and can not find the diopter number. I do have an “Axis” number of 150 and “Add” OD number of +2.25 and OS of +2.25.
Can you help so I can complete my order?
Thank you.
David,
They wouldn’t be perfect, but the V2+ in +2 strength would work best for you.
Ordering goggles for an 11 year old girl with a small face. Prescription is -2.25 right eye and -1.75 left.
Please suggest what to order?
Jessica,
I’d suggest stepping down slightly. So -2 for her Right eye, and -1.5 for the Left. Should work very well with the small nosebridge.
OD: sphere +2.35, cylinder -0.75, (Axis 100) Diopter Strength: +1.875
OS: sphere +1.25, cylinder -0.75, (Axis 058) Diopter Strength: +0.875
It appears I might benefit with +2.0 on right eye, but not on left. Is it possible to get one regular lens in a pair? Or would the +2.0 be ok for both eyes?
Pat,
Yes it would work out to +2 and +1 for you (Roughly). Unfortunately our lenses start at +2, and we do not have a 0 in that style.
If you’d like to see what +2 would be like for your Left eye (OS) then I’d suggest trying on a pair of the +2 reading glasses at your local pharmacy (Walgreens etc). They would be doing pretty much the same thing as our prescription swim goggle lenses.
Graham, Thank you for your quick response!
I wear bifocals most of the day with the ADD prescription of +2.50 for reading, cooking, computer use etc . I also have +2 readers stashed around in different places for quick use. +2 would be a bit strong for any distance more than a computer screen away for me. I could use some distance correction for underwater lifeguard rescues but +2 would not be helpful with that.
Thanks for you help, Pat
I am looking for a pair of goggles for swimming laps at the local Y and for snorkeling when I go on cruises. My prescription is as follows
SPH +2.5 CYL-0.50
SPH +3.50
What would you recommend.
Cheryl Wells
Cheryl,
While they wouldn’t be perfect, the V2+ (Blue ones) in +3’s should help immensely.
Right eye:
sphere (-7.25) cylinder (-2.50) axis (+010)
Left eye:
sphere (-6.25) cylinder (-2.75) axis (+180)
What would you recommend? I am planning to learn swimming recently and wants to see clearly.
Nicole,
I would say that a -8 Right, -7 Left should work pretty well for you. Not perfect due to your astigmatism, but much better than nothing.
Here is what my daughter has, what should she wear?
Right -4.50 (sphere), -1.0 (Cylinder)
Left -5.50 (sphere), -1.0(cylinder)
Thank you
Nurul,
She would use a -5 Right, and -6 Left. Should work quite well for her.
My son’s prescription is
OD: -7.25, -2.25, 002
OS: -6.5, -2.75, 175
Is it possible to get goggles that would help him see?
Jen,
Yes, I would only move him to a -8 Right, and -7 Left though. Due to his astigmatism, they won’t be perfect but should let him see you across a pool, read signs, etc.
OD = -1.25
OS = -1.125
Should I consider the -1.5?
I do triathlons and sporting distances is important
Ben,
They’d be just a little stronger than you need, so should be fine for the period you’re in the water (1-2 hours? Ironman?)
That’s where I started myself actually, when my eyes were a little better than they are now.
My doctor didn’t mentioned the cylinder he mentioned only the sphere (Right eye – 2.5 and Left eye – 1.75), what is the myopia number should I get in my goggles?
That’s a good thing! In your case, -2.5 Right, and step down the quarter diopter and use -1.5 for the Left. That should work really well for you.
Hello, I have an OD -5.375 &
O.S. -5.625. I think I need a 5 & 5.5. Is this close enough to just get 1 pair in size 5 or do you recommend getting 2 pair & swapping lenses?
Darren,
You could go with -5.5 for both eyes, or step down with your right and select -5. No need to swap lenses, we let you choose a different lens for each eye!
My Daughters proscription is:
Right -125 -450 x 005
Left +050 -475 x 160
What should I go for?
Mangesh,
Unfortunately your daughter has mostly correction for astigmatism (Cyl), while our lenses only correct for Sphere. I don’t think even the -1.5 would be very comfortable for her.
Hi.
I have a prescription of:
OD -3.00 Sphere, -2.75 Cyl
OS -1.50 Sphere, -2.75 Cyl.
What lenses would you recommend?
Thanks.
Kevin,
I wouldn’t recommend moving more than 0.5 for both eyes. So -3.5 Right, and -2 Left.
My husband has
R -2.5 , -1.25, 180
L -4.0, -1.25, 18
What would his prescription be
Cari,
-3 Right & -4.5 Left should work pretty well for him.
Thank you so much! I’ll give t a go!
Hi
My prescription is
Right -1.00 Sph -2.75 Cyl 107.5 axis
Left -0.5 Sph -3.75 Cyl 70 axis
What would you recommend?
Thanks
Michael,
You have significant astigmatism (Cyl). The best we could do is -1.5 Right, and 0 for the left. But I’d ask your optometrist for confirmation.
I need Google’s for skin and my left eye is -0.75 and my right eye is -1.00 what would you recommend for me
Aris,
Our lenses start at -1.5, so unfortunately I don’t think they would work in your case.
Hi,
My elder son’s prescription is
SPH R -3.50 CYL+2.50 AXIS 095
SPH L -6.00 CYL +2.25 AXIS 075
My younger son’s prescription is
SPH R -8.50 CYL+2.25 AXIS 075
SPH L -8.75 CYL +2.00 AXIS 105
May I know what should be the lens strength for both of them?
Thank you in advance.
Avy,
I would suggest:
-3 Right & -5.5 Left for your elder son, and:
-8 Right, & -8 Left for your younger son.
They won’t be perfect due to their astigmatism, but they should be able to read a pool clock, signage, where you are, etc.
Hi, Male aged 37, amateur swimmer and amateur waterpolo player, my prescription is:
RIGHT: -5.00 (sphere), -2.25 (cylinder), 10 (axis)
LEFT: -4.25 (sphere), -2.25 (cylinder), 165 (axis)
Please recommend. Thanks in advance.
Anshu,
I would only move you to a -5.5 Right, and a -5 Left. It won’t be perfect due to your astigmatism (Cylinder) but it will be much better than without anything.
We love your content. Regards from Pissouri Bay Divers from Cyprus!
Hi I need prescription goggles for my son:
OD -1.750 Cyl -0.500x 170 axis
OS -1.500 Cyl – 0.250x 175 axis
What should I order for his goggles?
Thank you
Gabriela,
I would recommend -2 Right, and -1.5 Left for him. Should work quite well.
Hello, my daughter’s #s are
OD Sp: -3.25 Cy: -1.00 Ax: 0.15
OS Sp: -2.50 Cy: -0.75 Ax: 160
Hope you can help. Thank you.
Josefina,
Yes your daughter would do very well with -3.5 Right, and stick with -2.5 for her Left.
Hi Please can you calculate for me swim/dive goggles to help with my difficult prescription which is:
Right eye sphere +2.50 cylinder -2.50 Axis 180
Left eye sphere + 2.25. Cylinder -1.75 Axis 1
I wear varifocal glasses and my reading addition for right and left is + 2.25
Many thanks!
Linda
Linda,
I think to make it really simple, stick close to your sphere and get the V2+ in a +2. They should be fairly close to your readers.
Hello,
Please help me find the proper goggles for my son and I.
Me: OD -3.75 *-.75*040
OS -4.50*-1.00*148
SON: OD – 3.50*1.25*005
OS -3.25*1.25*170
Thank you so much!!
Maria,
-4 Right and -5 Would work well for you, and -4/-4 would work well for your son.
Hello,
My son is a
OD -075 Sphere, -4.75 Cylinder, 005 Axis
OS -075 Sphere, -4.50 Cylinder, 180 Axis
What would you recommend for goggles? Do you recommend a certain brand? He is 12 years old. Thank you
Unfortunately, your sons prescription is mostly Cylinder (or Astigmatism). Our lenses correct for Sphere only, and wouldn’t help at all. He would likely need a fully customized pair of swim goggles.
I have a child with a prescription of Right- Sph -3.00, Cyl -3.00 axis 5. Left – Sph -1.25, Cyl -3.50 axis 170. What would be good for him please?
Clarissa,
I think only moving to -3.5 Right, and -2 Left should still work fairly well for him.
Hi
I like to check for my son googles.
Right -1.00/-1.50 X179
Left -5.00/-3.25 X164
Thanks
Amely,
I think a -1.5 for the Right and -5.5 for the Left should work pretty well for him.
OD -6.25, Cylinder -1.25, Axis 171, Add +1.25
OS -6.75, Cylinder -1.75, Axis 131, Add +1.25
PD 67
Much appreciate your advice!
Larry,
I would suggest -6.5 for your Right, and -7 for your Left.
OD -4.25, Cylinder -0.5, Axis 175
OS -5, Cylinder -0.5, Axis 180
What would you recommand?
Med,
I’d suggest sticking very close to your Sphere in your case. So -4 Right, and -5 Left.