Whether it’s myopia or astigmatism, many people need prescription eyewear to see clearly. But what happens if you want to swim? Can you wear your corrective lenses underwater? What about contact lenses?
If you need prescription glasses and want to swim, you have options. These can range from attaching a strap to your eyeglasses to buying prescription goggles designed for swimmers. Avoid wearing contact lenses, as subjecting them to water can increase your risk of eye infections.
If you’re an avid swimmer, discuss eyewear options with your optometrist.
Swimming with Glasses
Swimming, like many physically active hobbies, can be very good for you. It can be a suitable form of exercise for people with joint problems or arthritis because the buoyancy of water eases pressure on their joints.
But many people need prescription eyewear to see clearly, and swimmers are no exception. So, how can you enjoy the health benefits of taking a dip without sacrificing crisp vision?
Glasses with a Strap
A simple solution is to wear your glasses with a strap that goes around your neck. This type of accessory can be easy to find and inexpensive. Some are made with floatable materials and come in a variety of colors to choose from.
Wearing glasses with a strap isn’t foolproof, however. Your glasses can still fall off, and it’s a good idea to check with your optometrist about whether your frame and lens materials can be safely submerged in water. Prescription glasses aren’t cheap, so it’s a good idea to protect your investment.
Still, wearing glasses with a strap can be an economical solution for people who only swim on occasion, or for those who just want to visit the beach.
Prescription Goggles
If you’re an avid swimmer, consider purchasing prescription goggles. Prescription goggles are similar to regular goggles, except that the lenses are customized to your specific prescription power. There are also premade prescription goggles that work much like reading glasses.
While this may be a more expensive solution, it can be worth it for those who swim often. You will see clearly underwater, and you don’t have to worry about damaging your daily pair of eyeglasses or the risk of eye infections that come with contact lenses.
Swimming with Contact Lenses: What You Need to Know
You may be tempted to swim with contact lenses or to wear your contact lenses underneath non-prescription goggles.
Wearing contact lenses in water—be it showers, swimming pools, or lakes—can be dangerous. Doing so puts you at risk of eye infections because contact lenses can absorb water and trap debris and pathogens against the eye. The chlorine in commercial swimming pools can’t get rid of all harmful germs.
Along with infections, exposing contact lenses to water can increase your risk of irritation, dry eye, corneal abrasion, inflammation, and corneal ulcers.
Consider Ortho-K Contact Lenses
Orthokeratology (ortho-k) involves wearing contact lenses overnight to reshape the cornea, resulting in clear vision the next day. Thanks to the corneal reshaping, you don’t need to wear any lenses the following day.
Ortho-k lenses can be an appropriate solution for people who swim and need prescription eyewear.
Swimming & Eye Health
The chlorine used to clean pools can cause dry eye in some people, characterized by symptoms such as irritation, redness, and blurry vision.
Chlorine also affects the tear film, making the eyes more susceptible to infections like conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye). And while chlorine is an effective way to keep pools clean, it’s not perfect and can’t kill all germs completely.
Signs & Symptoms of an Eye Infection
It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with eye infection symptoms so you can seek help right away if you suspect one. Look out for:
- Redness, pain, or swelling
- A feeling that something is in your eye
- Excessive tears
- Sensitivity to light
- Fuzzy vision
- Discharge
Eye Care in Lake Elsinore
We understand and appreciate the health benefits of swimming and water sports. If you have any questions or concerns about swimming and your eye health, don’t hesitate to reach out to Total Vision Lake Elsinore. We offer a variety of frames and lenses, sunglasses, and contact lenses.
Our mission is to serve the vision needs of the entire family. If you or a loved one is due for an eye exam, book an appointment with us today.
