If your eyesight is weak, you may feel like you need contacts to see well while swimming. Although they may help you to avoid bumping into walls or other things it’s important to know that wearing contacts while swimming can be dangerous for your eyes in a number of ways.

Risks of wearing contacts while swimming

Swimming with contacts in isn’t advised at all. The lenses can absorb water, trapping potential bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens against your eye. Swimming in the ocean, lakes, and rivers is riskier than swimming in a pool. It’s because natural water bodies are more prone to various viruses, bacteria, and harmful pathogens that may get killed by pool chemicals. This doesn’t mean swimming in a pool with your contacts in is safe. Your lenses can absorb chlorine and other pool chemicals that can lead to various eye issues, including:

• Dry eye syndrome
• Corneal abrasion
• Corneal ulcers
• Eye irritation
• Eye inflammation

Symptoms of eye infection

If you swim while wearing your contact lenses, make sure to look out for eye infection symptoms, such as:

• Pain in eyes
• Excessively watery or teary eyes
• Red eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Swelling in eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurry vision
• Eye discharge
• Feeling like something is in your eyes

If you have any of these symptoms after your contact lenses get wet, see your doctor. Early diagnosis is essential for any eye infection.

Tips for swimming safely with your contacts in

If you can’t swim safely without wearing your contact lenses, here are some precautions you must follow to reduce the risk of an eye infection:

1. Wear tight-fitting goggles ­– Wear tight fit goggles to keep water out of eyes. If you’re a regular swimmer, it would be best to get prescription goggles so you won’t have to wear contact lenses while swimming.
2. Take your contacts out immediately after swimming – If you don’t have prescription goggles and wearing contacts while swimming, make sure to take your lenses out once you come out of the pool. Then rinse your eyes with clean water and put on your glasses or a new pair of lenses. Also, don’t forget to disinfect your used lenses in contact lens solution for 24 hours. You can also wear disposable contact lenses that you can throw away after swimming.
3. Put eye drops in your eyes – Use rewetting drops or artificial tears before and after swimming to reduce the risk of dryness in your eyes.

If you’re a professional swimmer, consult with your doctor about rigid gas permeable contact lens. You can wear these lenses at night to reshape your cornea, eventually leading you not needing contact lenses during the day. You can also consider LASIK surgery to help correct your vision.

Conclusion

Swimming with your contacts in can damage your eyes. It’s better not to wear them while you’re in the water to reduce the risk of any eye infection. However, if you have to wear your lenses while swimming, don’t forget to follow the tips mentioned above. Also, get in touch with your doctor immediately if your eyes are itchy, red, excessively watery, or painful.

If you still have any doubts about wearing your contact lenses while swimming, get in touch with Life Saver Poolfence experts today!