Contact lenses give plenty of freedom during daily activities, but when summer arrives, and you’re ready to dive into the pool or lake, you might wonder if it is safe to keep them in. The appeal of clear underwater vision without the hassle of prescription goggles seems obvious.
You should avoid swimming with contact lenses because water can trap harmful bacteria against your eyes and cause serious infections that threaten your vision. While it might seem convenient, the risks far outweigh any temporary benefits.
Why Swimming with Contacts Creates Problems for Your Eyes
There are a few issues that can occur if you start swimming with your contacts in, including:
Bacterial Infection
Every body of water contains microscopic organisms that can attach to your contact lenses and create a breeding ground right on your eye’s surface. Pool water, despite chlorine treatment, still harbors bacteria that find soft contact lens materials particularly welcoming. Lakes, rivers, and oceans contain even more dangerous microorganisms that your eyes were never meant to encounter.
When these organisms get trapped between your contact lens and your eye, they multiply rapidly in the warm, moist environment. Your natural tear film cannot wash them away because the contact lens acts as a barrier, trapping contaminants against your cornea.
Chemical Irritation
Swimming pool chemicals can react with contact lens materials, causing immediate discomfort and potential long-term damage. Chlorine can make your lenses feel tight and scratchy, while other pool chemicals may cause the lens material to slightly change shape.
Your eyes can likely feel dry, burning, and irritated even during your swim. This discomfort is your eye’s way of telling you that something harmful is happening to the delicate surface of your cornea.
Lenses Can Shift, Fall Out, or Get Lost
Water pressure from diving, swimming underwater, or even gentle waves can easily dislodge your contact lenses. You might surface from a dive to discover one or both lenses have disappeared completely, leaving you with blurry vision until you can find a replacement.
Even if your lenses stay in place, they often shift position on your eye, causing distortion that makes it difficult to see clearly underwater or judge distances accurately.
Serious Eye Infections That Can Happen
Acanthamoeba keratitis represents one of the most serious infections you can develop from swimming with contacts. The Acnathamoeba parasite is microscopic and lives in various water sources. It can cause permanent vision loss or require a corneal transplant in severe cases.
The infection develops slowly, often starting as a minor irritation that gradually becomes excruciating pain. Treatment requires months of intensive medication, and even with proper care, some people experience lasting vision problems.
Common bacteria in water can multiply rapidly when trapped under your contact lenses, leading to painful bacterial conjunctivitis or more serious corneal infections. These infections often require antibiotic treatment and can keep you out of work or school for days.
The warm, moist space between your contact lens and eye creates ideal conditions for bacterial growth that wouldn’t normally occur with healthy, contact-free eyes exposed to the same water.
Signs Your Eyes May Be Infected
Watch for these common symptoms of eye infections:
- Severe pain or burning sensation
- Redness that does not go away
- Blurry vision or light sensitivity
- Discharge or excessive tearing
- Feeling like something is stuck in your eye
Safe Alternatives for Clear Vision While Swimming
While the most straightforward answer is often simply to remove your contacts before swimming, blurry vision can also be a safety hazard in the pool or ocean. Here are some options to still enjoy clear vision while out in the waves:
Prescription Swimming Goggles
Prescription swimming goggles can provide clear underwater vision without compromising eye health.
These goggles cost less than you might expect and last much longer than disposable contacts, making them a smart investment for regular swimmers.
Daily Disposable Contacts With Tight-Fitting Goggles
If you absolutely need to wear contacts while swimming, daily disposables combined with well-sealed goggles offer a safe option. You can throw away the lenses immediately after swimming, reducing but not eliminating the risk of infection.
Consider Laser Eye Surgery for Active Lifestyles
If you plan to make swimming and other water activities a permanent part of your life, LASIK and other laser eye surgery options can eliminate your need for contact lenses. If you spend significant time in pools, lakes, or oceans, the freedom from contact might make surgical correction worth considering.
What to Do if Water Gets in Your Eyes While Wearing Contacts
Take out your contact lenses immediately after any water exposure, even if it was just a splash. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water before touching your eyes or lenses.
Rinse your eyes gently with clean tap water or sterile saline solution to remove any bacteria or chemicals that might remain on your eye’s surface. Avoid rubbing your eyes, which can push contaminants deeper or scratch your cornea.
Do not rinse and reuse the lenses. Throw them away and use a fresh pair once your eyes have fully recovered.
Pat the area around your eyes dry with a clean towel, but let your natural tears handle the cleaning inside your eye. If you experience persistent irritation, seek emergency eye care services immediately. Don’t wait to see if symptoms improve on their own, as early treatment can prevent permanent vision damage.
Any discharge, extreme light sensitivity, or feeling that something is stuck in your eye also requires prompt professional attention.
Take Care of Your Vision
Your vision deserves protection, especially during the activities you love most. At Pinehouse Eyecare, we understand how important clear, comfortable vision is to your active lifestyle. You should not have to compromise your eye health to get the most out of life.
Schedule your appointment today and ask us about prescription goggles, laser eye surgery, and other safer alternatives so you can enjoy swimming without risking your eye health.
