Pool parties, beach trips, and refreshing dips in the lake can quickly turn from fun to frightening without proper contact lens care. If you wear contact lenses, you may wonder whether it’s safe to keep them in while swimming.
The short answer is no, but understanding why can help protect your eyes from serious complications. Keep reading to discover the best practices for wearing contact lenses while swimming and how to maintain eye health and safety at the beach, pool, or lake.
Why is Swimming with Contacts Risky?
Standard contact lenses are designed to be porous, allowing oxygen to reach your cornea. While this keeps your eyes healthy during normal wear, it becomes a liability in water.
Chlorine, salt, bacteria, fungi, and parasites can penetrate the lens material and become trapped against the surface of your eye. This creates an environment that allows harmful microorganisms to thrive.
The biggest concern is Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but severe infection caused by a microscopic organism found in virtually all water sources. This includes swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, oceans, and even tap water. Acanthamoeba can attach itself to contact lenses and cause an infection that’s notoriously difficult to treat. Left unchecked, it can lead to corneal scarring and permanent vision loss.
Beyond Acanthamoeba, other bacteria present in water can cause painful corneal infections. Your contact lenses can harbor these contaminants against your eye for extended periods, allowing infections to develop and worsen.
Does Swimming with Contacts Hurt?
Even if you avoid serious infection, swimming with contacts can cause immediate discomfort. Water exposure may lead to eye redness, itching, and a gritty sensation in the eyes. The lenses can absorb water and change shape, resulting in blurry vision or an uncomfortable lens fit. In pools, chlorine trapped behind your lenses can irritate your eyes long after you’ve finished swimming.
Corneal abrasions present another risk. When lenses become warped or shift position due to water exposure, they can scratch your cornea. These scratches can be painful and make your eyes more vulnerable to infection.
Can You Wear Goggles Over Your Contacts?
Some contact lens wearers assume that tight-fitting goggles provide adequate protection. While this approach is somewhat safer than swimming without eye protection, it’s not foolproof. Water can still seep behind goggles, especially during vigorous activity or when adjusting them. Even a small splash when you’re above water can introduce contaminants to your lenses.
Better Alternatives for Clear Vision While Swimming
Prescription swim goggles offer the ideal solution for contact lens wearers who want clear vision in the water. These specialized goggles incorporate your vision correction directly into the lens, eliminating the need for contacts entirely.
Your eye doctor at Stahl Eyecare Experts can discuss your prescription and help you find swim goggles that match your vision needs. For casual swimmers who don’t require perfect vision in the water, standard swim goggles and removing your contacts may be sufficient.
When you remove your contacts to swim, proper storage is essential. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses. Place them in a clean, dry case filled with fresh disinfecting solution, never tap water, which can harbor the same organisms that make swimming with contacts dangerous.
The Bottom Line on Contacts and Swimming
Swimming without your contact lenses might feel inconvenient, but it’s the best way to protect your vision. The risks of eye infection, corneal damage, and vision loss far outweigh the temporary inconvenience of slightly blurred vision or taking time to remove and store your lenses properly.
If you have questions about contact lens care, prescription swim goggles, or maintaining healthy vision during water activities, contact Stahl Eyecare Experts in Manhattan, NY, today! We’re here to help you enjoy swimming safely while protecting your eye health and vision.
