With summer comes fun in the sun and water. It’s tempting to leave your contact lenses in while swimming, but below we have listed some very good reasons not to do that.
Why shouldn’t I swim with contact lenses?
- The FDA recommends that you refrain from using contact lenses in any kind of water including pool, lake, river, tap, shower, hot tub or bath water. All water contains bacteria and other organisms including amoebae and parasites. If water gets trapped beneath your lens, you are risking a serious eye infection, which could potentially lead to injury or permanent loss of vision.
- Chlorine in pool water is a known eye irritant. Once again, getting water trapped between your contact and your eye can cause extreme discomfort or infection.
- You can easily lose a lens in the water.
What about using goggles?
Swimming goggles may seem like a good alternative, but if they shift they can still let in water. Proceed with caution.
But I can’t see! What should I do?
If you swim regularly and want clarity of vision, corrective swim goggles are an excellent investment. You will be able to see, and you won’t have to worry about risking an eye infection. An added bonus is that most provide UV protection.
I accidentally got water in my eyes with my contacts in. What should I do?
This one is easy: take out your lenses and disinfect them right away.