Have you ever been in a swimming pool, and felt a sharp sting when you opened your eyes underwater? If so, then you know first-hand how important it is to protect your eyes while swimming. Swimming pool eye safety is not something that should be taken lightly. Unfortunately, many people don’t take the proper precautions to keep their eyes safe from potential damage caused by the chlorine in the pool. Here are some essential tips on how to protect your eyes from potential harm while enjoying time in the pool.
Invest In A Good Pair Of Goggles
The best way to protect your eyes from any potential harm caused by chlorine is to invest in a good pair of swimming goggles. Not only do goggles keep chlorine out of your eyes, but they also help you see more clearly underwater. That sting isn’t from the chlorine itself, but a compound called chloramine which forms when chlorine combines with ammonia present in sweat and other bodily fluids. Goggles help prevent this irritating compound from coming into contact with your eyes. It’s also important to make sure that the goggles fit well and that there are no gaps between the seal of the goggle and your face as these can allow water (and chloramines) into your eyes.
Skip The Contact Lenses When You’re Swimming
It may seem like a no-brainer, but many people still opt for contact lenses while they’re swimming even though this isn’t recommended. There are a lot of harmful microorganisms that enjoy swimming as much as we do. Chlorine kills most of them, but not all, and we don’t want those little critters anywhere near our eyes! Another danger with contact lenses is that they simply aren’t designed for underwater wear; it doesn’t take long for them to dry out or become dislodged as soon as water enters them — leaving you vulnerable to infection or irritation of the eye if these contacts come into contact with water or chemicals present in the pool such as chlorine or bromine.
Taking care of your vision means taking extra steps when engaging in activities around water such as swimming pools or hot tubs. Investing in a good pair of goggles and skipping contact lenses can go a long way towards protecting your vision and keeping it healthy for years to come! As always, if you have any concerns about eye health or vision protection during aquatic activities feel free to reach out to an optometrist who can provide guidance tailored specifically for your needs!