Wearing Contact Lenses Whilst Swimming

15/11/2018

Did you know that swimming whilst wearing contact lenses is not recommended?

Water can contain various viruses and dangerous microbes that contact lenses should not be exposed to, and swimming in them increases your risk of serious eye infections.

Wearing prescription swimming goggles in the pool enable you to see clearly and are a great investment as they correct refractive errors such as long and short sightedness.

Soft lenses are porous so they allow chemicals and bacteria to penetrate them and then press against your eye increasing the risk of infection.

Rigid contact lenses (RGP) carry the same associated risks and can also easily be dislodged from the eye whilst swimming.

If swimming in contact lenses is unavoidable then a tight fitting plano pair of goggles over the top could be an option but you must remove the lenses immediately afterwards and discard dailies or thoroughly clean monthlies in your recommended solution before re-inserting as this eliminates the risk of exposing your eyes to the bacteria that may have been absorbed into the lenses.

ALWAYs seek the advice of your optician before considering swimming in any contact lenses.