There’s no better way to spend a summer day in North Carolina than at the pool. Whether you prefer lounging with your feet in the water or doing cannonball after cannonball, though, your eye health is at risk. To protect your vision all summer long, follow these tips whenever you find yourself poolside. 

3 Tips for Protecting Your Eyes at the Pool 

1. Keep Water Out While Swimming 

Before swimming underwater, switch out your glasses for goggles. Chlorine can irritate the eyes—even if you don’t open them underwater. What’s more, even the cleanest pools contain at least some bacteria, which may cause a painful eye infection. When shopping for swim goggles, look for a high-quality pair that fits comfortably and doesn’t leak. 

2. Wear Sunglasses While Lounging 

Sunglasses aren’t just a fashionable poolside accessory; they’re a must for preventing eye problems. Whether you’ll be at the pool for 30 minutes or three hours, you should wear sunglasses the entire time.

Exposure to the sun’s UV rays—which can bounce off the surface of the water and into your eyes—increases the risk of photokeratitis, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration. For optimal protection, wear a pair of sunglasses that blocks at least 95% of both UVA and UVB rays. You’ll also want polarized lenses because they’ll reduce glare reflecting off the water. 

3. Flush Your Eyes After Getting Out 

When you’re done swimming for the day, flush your eyes with artificial tears to restore their natural pH and eliminate contaminants. Even if you wore goggles while swimming, chlorine or other debris could’ve made its way into your eyes, causing irritation.

Just make sure the product you rinse with is specially formulated for use in the eyes; standard tap water could contain bacteria or minerals that only worsen any irritation. 

If you intend to spend a lot of time at the pool this summer, head to Optics Eyewear for a high-quality pair of sunglasses. Located in High Point, NC, this practice has been supplying individuals across the Triad Area with eyeglasses, sunglasses, and prescription sunglasses since 1955. Their optician services also include eye health testing and vision exams. To learn more about the vast selection of sunglasses they carry, visit their website or call (336) 884-5677.