For the most part, contact lenses make life easier for people with vision problems. But if you’re someone who spends a lot of time in the water, especially during the summer, contact lenses can become a real annoyance. Wearing contacts while in water can seriously harm your eyes and vision, so be sure you understand the risks before participating in underwater activities.

Is It Safe to Swim With Contact Lenses?

Exposing your eyes to water while wearing contacts isn’t safe and can lead to life-threatening damage. The FDA recommends not wearing contacts while in water such as oceans and swimming pools, and even while in the shower.

What Are the Dangers of Wearing Contacts in Water?

When partaking in underwater activities, water is likely to seep into your eyes. If bacteria from the water attaches to your contact lens, you can develop a severe bacterial contamination in the eye. This can ultimately lead to infections, eye irritation, or even vision loss.

How Can I Prevent Injury?

In general, you can prevent eye infections by removing, cleaning, and disinfecting your contact lenses. You may want to consider wearing daily disposable lenses because they’re effective at preventing eye damage and don’t require any maintenance. If you don’t use disposable lenses, remember to replace your lenses every three months to ensure they’re safe for regular wear. 

If you’re going to wear contact lenses while swimming, the best way to reduce your risk of eye irritation and infection is by wearing waterproof swim goggles.

Waterproof swim goggles are a smart preventative measure if you wear contact lenses because they protect your eyes from water while allowing you to see clearly. It’s also possible to get prescription goggles if you don’t want to wear contacts at all.

The experts at Griebenow Eyecare are ready to provide solutions for your optometry needs. With locations in Clintonville and New London, WI, they serve residents throughout Outagamie, Waupaca, Shawano and Winnebago counties. They specialize in everything from eye care disease prevention to prescriptions for contact lenses. For more information, visit them online or call (800) 427-9585.