Should You Go Swimming With Contact Lenses?

As the weather warms up and the sun starts shining, more and more people are excited about spending time outside. There’s nothing like going to the pool on a hot day, but what if you wear contact lenses? Do contact lenses prevent you from enjoying swimming in the pool? This is a great question because caring for your eyes as a contact lens wearer is crucial. Below, we are going to answer these questions and let you know how to avoid eye issues while swimming with contact lenses.

Eye Issues from Swimming with Contact Lenses

If you decide to swim with contact lenses, be aware that there are certain issues you might run into. Your eyes will be fine as long as you protect them from irritants and bacteria that are usually in the pool. Conjunctivitis is a possibility because it is a water-borne bacteria. That means if you swim without goggles or eye protection, you might run into problems. Additionally, swimming pools are oftentimes filled with harsh chemicals like chlorine. This can lead to blurred vision and red eyes if you aren’t careful. However, wearing goggles should help you avoid both of these common issues while swimming with contact lenses.

Tips for Swimming with Contacts

Just because you wear contact lenses doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy swimming in the pool. You just need to make sure that your eyes are protected from the issues we mentioned above. Let’s take a look at a few tips for swimming with contact lenses below.

1. Wear Goggles

The best thing you can do to protect your eyes when in the swimming pool is to get a nice pair of goggles. Make sure that they fit you well and that you keep them on the entire time you are in the pool. The chemicals and bacteria in the pool can instantly affect your eyes if you aren’t extra careful.

2. Take Out Your Contacts

If you want to take the best approach, you should simply take out your contact lenses while you are swimming. It might be a little tougher to swim without them, but you know you will be avoiding the potential eye health issues associated with swimming with contacts.

3. Eye Drops

Wearing contacts can be very convenient and helpful, but swimming with them is another story. If your eyes get irritated after a pool session, try using eye drops that can help your eyes renew their natural lubricants. Use drops right after you go swimming to restore the tear film in them.

Just because you wear contact lenses doesn’t mean you can’t go swimming. You just need to make sure that you are extra cautious whenever you enter the pool. Keep the tips mentioned above in mind this spring and make sure you visit AV Eye Care if your eyes are irritated for more than one day after you go swimming.