Introduction

Swimming is a fun activity that everyone loves to indulge in to beat the heat. However, if you wear contacts, you might wonder if it’s safe to swim with them. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of swimming with contacts and alternatives to keep your vision corrected while swimming.

Swimming with Contacts: Is it Safe or Risky?

Swimming with contacts can be convenient for those who have vision problems and do not want to invest in prescription goggles or masks. However, it does come with potential risks and dangers.

While most contact lenses are designed to protect your eyes from external irritants, swimming exposes your eyes to chemicals and bacteria present in the water. This increases the risk of infection, which can lead to redness, pain, sensitivity to light, and discharge. A study conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that contact lens wearers who swim with lenses are 3.4 times more likely to develop eye infections than those who do not.

Additionally, contact lenses can absorb the water, changing their shape and leaving your eyes with an improper fit. This may cause blurry vision, discomfort, and corneal ulcers (open sores on the surface of the eye).

Despite these risks, there are some benefits of swimming with contacts. For instance, contact lenses allow you to have a more free range of motion than glasses, which tend to slip or fog up when exposed to water or moisture. Contact lenses also offer a full field of vision, which is crucial when swimming in open water.

In conclusion, while swimming with contacts may seem like a convenient option, it is essential to weigh the risks and benefits before you make a decision.

Expert Tips for Protecting Your Eyes When Swimming with Contacts

If you do decide to wear contacts while swimming, it is essential to take proper measures to ensure your eye’s safety and prevent infections. Here are some tips:

• Before swimming, apply eye drops specifically designed for use with contacts to moisturize and protect your eyes. This will help to seal off the contact lens surface, preventing them from absorbing water and bacteria.
• Wear goggles designed for swimming to protect your eyes from chemicals and other irritants in the water. Make sure to choose goggles that fit snugly around your eyes but not too tight that it may dislodge or damage your contacts.
• Keep your eyes firmly closed during diving or jumping and wear goggles for extra protection.
• Remove your contacts right after swimming and thoroughly clean them with a disinfectant solution to remove any bacteria that may have accumulated during swimming.
• Avoid wearing contact lenses for prolonged hours before and after swimming as this can lead to dehydration within the lenses and reduce their effectiveness.

By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of eye infection and protect your eyes when swimming with contacts.

What Happens When You Swim with Contacts: A Detailed Look

Swimming can lead to several potential dangers when using contact lenses. When lenses come into contact with water, they swell and cause discomfort and blurred vision. Swimming pools contain chlorine and other chemicals that can accumulate in the lenses, drying them out and causing irritation. The water in ponds or oceans may contain different types of bacteria and parasites that can attach to the contact surface, leading to infections or corneal ulcers.

Corneal ulcers are painful sores on the outer layer of the eyes that can cause eye redness, discharge, or even blindness if left untreated. So, it is essential to remove all contact lenses immediately after swimming and seek medical attention if you experience any persistent irritation, pain, or vision problems.

It is important to note that the risk of eye infection and corneal ulcers increases significantly when wearing contact lenses for prolonged hours, not using sterile solution, or sharing contact lenses with others.

Alternatives to Wearing Contacts While Swimming

If you want a vision correction method that is safe for swimming, there are several alternatives to contact lenses that you can consider:

• Prescription goggles: Prescription goggles are specifically designed for swimmers with vision problems and offer a comfortable and watertight seal around the eyes. They come in different diopters, allowing you to choose the one that suits your vision requirements.
• Daily disposable contacts: These types of contacts are a good option for people who swim frequently and want to avoid risks associated with other forms of contact lenses. However, this can quickly become costly if you swim regularly.
• Prescription swim masks: Prescription swim masks offer complete protection of the whole face and eyes, making them an effective solution for those with particularly sensitive or irritated eyes. They do tend to be bulky and can be a little heavy, and make it challenging to dive or swamp in open water.

Each of these alternatives offer their own unique advantages and disadvantages, but these may prove to be a safer option than swimming with contact lenses.

My Experience with Swimming with Contacts: Pros and Cons

I used to swim regularly with my contact lenses, I found it a convenient way to swim without the worry of losing my glasses or getting water trapped in them. However, after a while, I started feeling discomfort and experiencing blurred vision. Eventually, I developed a corneal ulcer that required immediate medical attention.

Since then, I have stopped using my contact lenses when I swim. Now, I prefer prescription goggles, which have proven to offer clear vision and protection against chemicals and bacteria.

So, in my opinion, while swimming with contacts may be feasible for some, I believe the risks outweigh the benefits. Therefore, I suggest that swimmers handle contact lenses with great care and seek alternatives that provide better protection.

Conclusion

Swimming with contact lenses is a decision that you have to take after evaluating the pros and cons. After considering the potential dangers of swimming with contacts, it is crucial to make an informed decision. If you decide to swim with contact lenses, follow the tips and precautions by experts to minimize the risk of infection and corneal ulcers. Lastly, it is crucial to seek the advice and opinion of a physician or optometrist before attempting to swim with contacts.