Swimming with Contact Lenses: Is it Safe?
Swimming with contact lenses is a common dilemma for those who wear them regularly. Is it safe? What are the risks involved? Here’s what you need to know.
The Risks Involved
One of the biggest risks of swimming with contact lenses is the possibility of contracting an eye infection. This is because the water in swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes and oceans can be contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that can cause infections such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, and corneal ulcers. Contact lenses can act as a trap for these microorganisms, increasing the risk of infection.
Tips for Safe Swimming with Contact Lenses
If you must swim with contact lenses, there are several precautions you can take to reduce the risk of infection. First, consider wearing prescription goggles to avoid exposing your eyes to water altogether. Alternatively, you can wear disposable contact lenses that you can discard after swimming. If you choose to wear your regular contact lenses, be sure to remove them and clean them thoroughly with contact lens solution as soon as you get out of the water. Never rinse your lenses with water from a swimming pool or other source, as this can introduce bacteria directly into your eyes.
Why You Should Avoid Swimming with Contact Lenses
While there are ways to reduce the risks of swimming with contact lenses, it’s important to remember that these risks still exist. Even taking all of the necessary precautions, you can still end up with an eye infection that can cause serious and permanent damage to your vision. For this reason, it’s generally recommended that you avoid swimming with contact lenses altogether.
Swimming with contact lenses is not recommended due to the risks involved. If you must swim with contact lenses, be sure to take all of the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of infection, including wearing prescription goggles or disposable contact lenses, and cleaning your lenses thoroughly after swimming. However, the best way to protect your eyes is to simply avoid wearing contact lenses while swimming.
