Summer is almost here, which means it’s time to hit the pool and beach! Before we all jump into the nearest body of water, though, let’s take a look at some tips on how to protect your eyes while participating in water activities. Safety first!
Eye Irritants in the Water
The truth is that many of our favorite summertime activities can put our eyes at risk. Even if you don’t wear contacts or glasses, swimming with your eyes exposed can still cause irritation and potential damage. That’s because there are many eye irritants present in the water that can be difficult to avoid. Bacteria, chlorine, salt, sand, and other contaminants can all get lodged in your eyes and cause discomfort or infection.
Wear Goggles Whenever Possible
The best way to protect your eyes from these irritants is to wear goggles whenever you go into the water. This applies even if you're just going for a dip—goggles will help keep out any sand or bacteria that may be floating around in the pool or ocean. Goggles also keep chlorine from getting into your eyes—this chemical is often used to sanitize public pools but can still be quite irritating when it gets into contact with your eyes. If you don't want to wear goggles every time you go for a swim, at least make sure you have them handy whenever you plan on swimming for an extended period of time.
Don't Bring Contacts into the Water
If you are a contact lens wearer, then it's important that you never bring your contacts into the water with you. Even if you think they're designed to last underwater (e.g., specially designed scuba diving lenses) they should still only be worn with caution and not for long periods of time. The same goes for prescription swim goggles—they should only be worn as needed and removed as soon as possible afterwards. Contamination from bacteria and chlorine present in the water can not only irritate but also potentially damage contact lenses over time so it's best to leave them on land when swimming!
Summertime activities involving water can definitely be fun but there are certain risks involved as well—namely those affecting our vision! In order to stay safe this season and protect our valuable eyesight, we need to be aware of these risks before jumping in headfirst (or should we say feet-first!). Wear goggles whenever possible, avoid bringing contacts into the water if possible, and make sure never to swim alone—these simple steps will help ensure that everyone has a safe yet enjoyable experience this summer!