Oh, joy. I can open my eyes and see a little in chlorinated water, but salt water really hurts my eyes. I hope that's normal.
Here's a little advice. If you are even just a little freaky in the water, close your eyes during the blindfolded egress out of the dunker until you surface. It works. I was a swimmer, drown-proofed, completely comfy in and underwater, no panic. Open your eyes underwater blindfolded expecting to see light and yeehaaaw, here comes the freak monster!
And it ain't fun unless you get kicked in the face during egress.....:icon_tong