Best prescription goggles for perfect underwater vision

Spectacles are inconvenient, especially if you lead an active life. Contact lenses can help in cases but not always. If you want to go into the water, the simpler option is to get a pair of prescription goggles.

Somehow, I had always assumed that prescription swimming goggles would be super expensive and way outside the budget of a casual swimmer like me. While there are expensive powered goggles, I found that there are many affordable options, too.

The best thing about researching this list, though, was discovering how well prescription goggles actually work! If you have been suffering and squinting away every time you swim, here is the perfect solution.

The 10 best prescription goggles

If you already know what you want in your powered goggles, here is my list of the top 10 prescription goggles in Singapore. If this is your first pair of powered swimming goggles, check out the guide I created at the end of the list to help you decide what power of goggles you need and find the best type for you.

1. Corrective prescription swimming goggles

• Prescription strength (dpt): -1.5 to -10.0

• Lens material: Polycarbonate shatter-resistant

• Anti-fog?: Yes

• UV protection?: Yes

• Adjustable components: Strap length, nose bridge (interchangeable)

• Comfort features: Hypoallergenic silicone seals

Buy now from S$7.72 on Lazada 

2. Large frame wide-angle swimming goggles

• Prescription strength (dpt): -1.0 to -9.0

• Lens material: Polycarbonate

• Anti-fog?: No

• UV protection?: No

• Adjustable components: Strap length, bendable nose bridge

• Comfort features: 3D soft silicone seals

Buy now from S$6.23 on Lazada 

3. Arena AGL-4500C

Note: You can opt for different prescription for right and left lenses with this model

• Prescription strength (dpt): -1.5 to -8.0

• Lens material: Polycarbonate

• Anti-fog?: Yes

• UV protection?: Yes

• Adjustable components: Strap length, swappable nose bridge

• Comfort features: Elastomer cushioning

Buy now from S$96 on Lazada 

4. Large frame prescription goggles

• Prescription strength (dpt): -2.0 to -6.0

• Lens material: Shatter-resistant polycarbonate

• Anti-fog?: Yes

• UV protection?: No

• Adjustable components: Strap length

• Comfort features: Soft silicone seal; integrated earplugs

Buy now from S$13.44 on Lazada 

5. Aleefa JH8660 Girl’s Prescription Goggles

• Prescription strength (dpt): -2.0 to -8.0

• Lens material: Polycarbonate

• Anti-fog?: Yes

• UV protection?: Yes

• Adjustable components: Strap length, nose bridge

• Comfort features: Thick silicone seals; integrated earplugs

Buy now from S$15.96 on Lazada 

6. Aushark 005 Myopia Unisex Prescription Swim Goggles

• Prescription strength (dpt): -2.0 to -6.0

• Lens material: Polycarbonate

• Anti-fog?: Yes, dual layer

• UV protection?: Yes

• Adjustable components: Strap length, swappable nose bridge

• Comfort features: Silicone seals

Buy now from S$12.90 on Lazada 

7. Kids and adults prescription swimming goggles

• Prescription strength (dpt): -2.0 to -8.0

• Lens material: Polycarbonate

• Anti-fog?: Yes

• UV protection?: Yes

• Adjustable components: Strap length, nose bridge

• Comfort features: Cushioned seals

Buy now from S$13.40 on Lazada 

8. Swans SR2 NEVOP racing goggles

• Prescription strength (dpt): -1.5 to -8.0

• Lens material: Polycarbonate

• Anti-fog?: Yes

• UV protection?: Yes, 100% UV-A and UV-B

• Adjustable components: Strap length, 4 nose bridge options

• Comfort features: Hypoallergenic silicone gaskets (replaceable)

Buy now from S$49 on Lazada 

9. GG072 adult HD goggles

• Prescription strength (dpt): -1.5 to -9.0

• Lens material: Polycarbonate

• Anti-fog?: Yes

• UV protection?: Yes

• Adjustable components: Strap length, swappable nose bridge

• Comfort features: Cushioned seals

Buy now from S$5.80 on Lazada 

10. Arena AGY-700XNS myopia goggles

• Prescription strength (dpt): -2.0 to -7.0

• Lens material: Polycarbonate

• Anti-fog?: Yes

• UV protection?: Yes

• Adjustable components: Strap length, swappable nose bridge

• Comfort features: Cushioned seals

Buy now from S$169.85 on Lazada 

Quick guide on how to choose the best prescription goggles

1. How do prescription goggles work?

Prescription goggles lenses come with a ‘dioptre’ rating indicating their corrective power. A negative dioptre rating indicates prescription goggles for nearsighted swimmers while a positive rating indicates it is meant for farsighted swimmers.

The dioptre (dpt) rating is usually either a whole number (-1.00, 5.00, etc.) or a half (-1.50, 3.50, etc.). It is also known as the S or SPH rating, because it is the spherical correction value.

To give a pair of swimming goggles lenses a dioptre rating, a special coating is applied to them. This refractive layer works like the lenses of regular corrective spectacles, bending light to focus them in the wearer’s eyes.

2. What if my eyes require different correction power?

Most corrective swimming goggles come with identical correction values for both lenses. If, like me, your eyes have different S ratings, choose the lower one (closer to zero) to avoid unnecessary stress on your peepers.

Of course, the better option is to get custom lenses for each side. Some brands let you do that for certain models. Another option is to buy 2 sets of goggles with the 2 required corrective powers and switch the eyepieces.

3. What power of prescription goggles do I need?

If you have your spectacles prescription handy, yaay! Somehow, I never have my eye prescription handy when I need it. For all us disorganised myopics, here is a quick and simple way to determine the corrective SPH value for each eye. (Having someone assist can be convenient but it’s not absolutely essential)

1. Hold an open book in your outstretched hand(s) so you can see the words.

2. Close one eye and move the book slowly towards your face until the letters are in focus.

3. Measure the distance between your eye and the page in centimetres.

4. The SPH for that eye is this reading divided by 100.
   E.g., if it was 25 cm, SPH is 100÷25 = 4 => -4.00 dpt

1. Repeat for the other eye and choose the lower absolute value
   E.g., if you get -3.00 dpt and -4.00 dpt, the corrective value is -3.00 dpt

One last step. Because water itself is refractive, reduce the S or SPH number by 0.5 to know which prescription goggles will work best. For example, if the SPH value is -3.00, you should use prescription goggles with a -2.50 rating.

4. Can I swim in contact lenses?

Please don’t. Experts are very clear in their opinion that swimming wearing contact lenses, whether in a pool, freshwater or the ocean, is a bad idea. It can lead to eye irritation, serious infections, and even the loss of the eye!

5. What to look for in swimming goggles, both regular and powered.

1. Anti-fog coating

There’s no point in spending all the time and effort getting corrective swim goggles and then still not being able to see clearly. An anti-fog coating works brilliantly to keep your vision crisp and clear.

1. UV protection

Protect your eyes form harmful UV radiation when you swim. Fortunately, UV protection is very common in swim goggles nowadays.

1. Comfort & fit

Choose goggles that have adjustable components such as straps and nose bridge. The eye cushions should be soft and made of a pliable hypoallergenic material. Together, these features ensure a snug fit and a smooth, irritation-free swim.

1. Durability

A good pair of swim goggles can last years if treated right and maintained well. Invest in a reliable pair that will give you clear sight in the pool and the ocean.

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