How Do You Keep Your Eyes Protected When Swimming?

When summer arrives, one of the top things people have in mind is to cool down pools, oceans, lakes and other bodies of water. Before going out for a swim, make sure your eyes are protected. Keep in mind that your eyes are exposed to chemicals, such as chlorine and contaminants that can cause infections and irritation.

A local optometrist shares helpful tips to keep your eyes protected when swimming.

Ways to Protect Your Eyes When Swimming

Wear Goggles

Protect your eyes from chemicals and contaminants in the water by wearing goggles. It also helps in keeping the protective tear film of your eyes in good shape. While chlorine in pool water kills contaminants, it can’t get rid of certain viruses and bacteria.

Do Not Wear Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are not made to be worn in water. When your contacts are exposed to water sources – pools, lakes, rivers – it increases your risk for infection. If you can’t function without your contacts, make sure you’re wearing goggles on top of your contacts or keeping your eyes closed when under water.

Stay Hydrated

Make sure to drink a lot of water to keep your eyes moist. Staying hydrated can help prevent your eyes from drying out and avoid irritation.

Use Eye Drops

Your eye doctor may suggest using eye drops if you have dryness or irritation. Consider using artificial tear drops after swimming to help replenish your tear film and keep your eyes comfortable.

When to See Your Eye Doctor

Some of the most common signs of eye infection include pain, redness, discharge, light sensitivity, swelling, and vision issues. Do not wear contact lenses while swimming as it can increase the risk of infection. Acanthamoeba keratitis is a condition that is more common in people who wear contacts. When not treated immediately, it can cause permanent vision loss. If you think that you have an eye infection, see your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Whether you need new eyeglasses, contact lenses, or treatment for ocular diseases, you can rely on Six One Six Vision Center. Call us at (208) 514-1858 or fill out our contact form to make an appointment. We assist patients in Meridian and Eagle, Idaho.

COVID-19

To our Six One Six Vision Center Families,

Our office is fully open to serve your eye care needs. We cannot wait to see you in our office again! With the health and safety of our team and patients at the forefront of our minds, the following changes have taken place while we all do our part to fight this pandemic:

We ask that if you are experiencing a fever, shortness of breathe, or a cough that you reschedule your visit at this time.

We are asking our patients to complete as much of the typical intake paperwork and collecting of insurance information electronically to reduce the amount of team members they need to be exposed to at the office.

We have very strict cleanliness procedures for anyone who comes in to our office at every point of their visit to lower risk of potential infection.

Now more than ever, we need to take care of ourselves, our families, and our communities as best we can, while practicing safe social distancing recommendations. We will get through these difficult times together, and I promise you our office and our team will be here to support you as best we can during these changes, and will be even stronger once we can return to normal care.

Be well, stay strong, take care of each other.

– Six One Six Vision Center Team

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