Do not open your eyes under water if you are swimming with contacts on. The salt in seawater draws water out of the contact lens, making it tight and difficult to remove. Attempting to remove a tight lens might cause corneal injury. Instead, take the contacts off and rinse them thoroughly under running water before putting them back in their case.
If you have to go under water for any reason, make sure that your contacts are removed first so they do not cause harm if inhaled or ingested.
Contact lenses can be a convenient way to enhance your vision without having to wear glasses, but they also have their drawbacks. If you plan to swim with your contacts in, it is important to know how to take them off safely so as not to cause damage.
Wearing waterproof swim goggles while swimming while wearing contact lenses is the greatest strategy to limit your risk of eye discomfort and infection. Swim goggles, in addition to protecting your eyes from watery toxins, lower the likelihood of your contacts dislodging from your eyes. Even when you're not swimming, be sure to remove your contacts before going into any body of water that may be warm or contain salt.
If you wear contacts, be sure to follow these tips to keep both yourself and your eyes safe in the pool:
Always wash your hands before putting in your contacts and after taking them out. This prevents spreading bacteria or chemicals through your body.
Never share needles, pens, or other items that might have been used to inject drugs. This can lead to infections that could spread to your eyes.
Contact lenses are only meant to be worn for short periods of time. If you plan on diving into a lake or ocean, it's best to take your contacts off first so that you don't aggravate an existing condition called "keratoconus," which leads to thinner corneas.
Don't use household cleaners to clean your contacts. These products are harsh and can damage your lenses over time.
Have your contacts checked by an eye doctor at least once per year.
1. Swimming with contacts can cause eye infections, discomfort, and even blinding diseases including corneal ulcers. Contacts should not be exposed to ANY form of water, including tap water, swimming pools, seas, lakes, hot tubs, and showers, according to the FDA. The agency also warns that if you do require medical assistance or have visual problems after diving into any body of water, it may not be able to be obtained until after you are re-surfaced.
2. If you wear contacts, it's important to know how to take them off safely. Without removing your lenses, contact lens cases, and straps completely, you leave yourself vulnerable to infection from contaminated water.
3. The best way to protect your eyes is by wearing protective gear when participating in activities where there is a risk of being immersed in water. This includes wearing goggles or sunglasses, a life jacket, and ensuring that someone has a clear view of your location in case help is needed.
4. It is important to rinse your eyes with clean water after engaging in activity that may have involved exposure to water. This will help remove any debris that may have come out of the water. Doing so will also help prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and hepatitis A and E, which can be found in the feces of infected animals and people, respectively.
Wearing contact lenses while swimming increases your chances of getting an eye infection. Wearing goggles or not wearing any contact lenses at all can help keep your eyes safe and healthy when swimming.
Contact lenses change the way light enters your eye, similar to how glass blocks out light. This means that if you are wearing contact lenses when exposed to sunlight, you will be putting yourself at risk for developing a sunburn even though you may appear to have no skin exposed. Sunburns increase your chance of getting skin cancer later in life.
If you do decide to wear contacts, remember to remove them before going into the water. This is important because if you leave them in, they could be pushed further into the eye which could cause pain or injury when you take them out later.
There are different types of contacts. Some are made specifically for swimming while others are also suitable for other activities such as hiking or skiing. Find out what type of contacts you have before you go swimming so you can choose the right one for the activity.
Contacts should never be worn more than 24 hours a day. If you wear them during sleep time, you are putting yourself at risk of sleeping through the removal process which could lead to sore eyes when you wake up.
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