Summer Eye Care Tips for Contact Lenses

Summer is the time to kick back and have some fun! If you’re headed to the pool to beat the heat, you might have some questions about wearing contacts to the pool. At Greenwich Eye Care in Old Greenwich, we want our patients and online readers to consider their eye safety this summer. Keep reading for some FAQs and the best eye care tips from our optometrist team!

Can I Swim with Contact Lenses?

When it comes to contact lenses, you should never expose them to water for long periods of time. This includes any time spent in the pool. Contact lenses absorb water, which means trapping bacteria and viruses from the pool. Wearing contacts while swimming in any body of water, especially lakes, rivers, and oceans, can be extremely dangerous. While pools do use chemicals to kill off bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, that doesn’t mean all of them are killed! When in doubt, take your contacts out before you take a dip.

Can I Swim with Contacts if I Wear Goggles?

While we still recommend that you remove your contact lenses to decrease risks, swimming with Goggles is a lot safer. Goggles help avoid any dangerous chemicals from entering your eyes and reduce the likelihood of your contacts being dislodged. You also have the option of ordering prescription goggles!

What Can Happen if I Wear Contacts while Swimming?

Because contact lenses trap the water and bacteria in your eye, you can experience a variety of eye problems. A few common issues people experience include eye infections, eye inflammation, eye irritation, and dry eyes. If you spend a lot of time swimming during summer, pack an extra contact case and eye cleaning solution with you! Whether you store it in your purse, beach bag, or in the car, you will always have a place to store your contacts before you head into the water.

Let Us Help with Your Eye Care This Summer

Our optometrists understand that sometimes you forget to take your contacts out. However, we will always encourage you to remove them. At Greenwich Eye Care, we are here for all your eye care needs. If you’re new to Old Greenwich or you are looking for a new optometrist, our team is here to help! Request an appointment or call us at (203) 698-5049 to get started.