Can You Swim With Contacts In? Risks, Tips, Water Safety, More
Yes, you can swim with contacts in, but there are risks involved. Contacts can become dislodged or lost while swimming, and they can also be contaminated by bacteria and other microorganisms in the water. This can lead to eye infections, irritation, and other problems.
Risks of Swimming With Contacts In
* Eye infections. The most common risk of swimming with contacts in is eye infections. Bacteria and other microorganisms in the water can get trapped under your contacts and cause an infection. Symptoms of an eye infection include redness, swelling, pain, discharge, and blurred vision.
* Corneal abrasion. Contacts can rub against your cornea, the clear outer layer of your eye, and cause a corneal abrasion. Symptoms of a corneal abrasion include pain, redness, light sensitivity, and blurred vision.
* Lost or dislodged contacts. Contacts can easily become dislodged or lost while swimming. This can be a problem if you need your contacts to see clearly. If you lose a contact, you should stop swimming and look for it immediately.
Tips for Swimming With Contacts In
If you do decide to swim with contacts in, there are some things you can do to reduce the risks:
* Wear daily disposable contacts. Daily disposable contacts are designed to be worn for one day only, so you don't have to worry about cleaning or storing them. This can help to reduce the risk of eye infections.
* Use a swim goggle. A swim goggle can help to protect your eyes from the water and keep your contacts in place.
* Rinse your eyes with fresh water after swimming. Rinsing your eyes with fresh water can help to remove any bacteria or other microorganisms that may have gotten trapped under your contacts.
* Don't wear contacts if your eyes are red or irritated. If your eyes are red or irritated, you should not wear contacts. Swimming with contacts in can worsen these symptoms.
Water Safety Tips
In addition to the tips above, there are some general water safety tips that you should follow when swimming with contacts in:
* Never swim in polluted water. Polluted water is more likely to contain bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause eye infections.
* Avoid swimming in chlorinated water if you have dry eyes. Chlorine can irritate dry eyes.
* Take breaks from swimming if your eyes start to feel irritated. If your eyes start to feel irritated, take a break from swimming and rinse them with fresh water.
* If you experience any eye problems after swimming, see your eye doctor. If you experience any eye problems after swimming, see your eye doctor right away.
By following these tips, you can help to reduce the risks of swimming with contacts in and enjoy a safe and fun swimming experience.
