Before you take a dip at the pool this summer, it’s important to protect your eyes. Pool water contains chemicals that can increase the risk of developing eye infections.
In today’s post, your local binocular vision dysfunction specialist, I See Vision Care, shares tips on protecting your eyes when swimming in a pool.
Chlorinated Pools
Chlorine in pools keeps the water clean, but it can also strip away the outer film layer of the eye that acts as a protection against infection. Without this protective tear film, swimmers are at risk of developing pink eye and other eye infections.
Chlorine can cause irritation in the cornea leading to dry eye disease, which can result in blurry vision. Get in touch with your eye doctor if you experience severe eye discomfort or irritation after swimming in a pool.
Protect Your Eyes
Wear a pair of swimming goggles to protect your eyes from chemicals and bacteria in the pool water. This can also help keep your tear film healthy.
Rinse your eyes with fresh water as soon as you get out of the pool to wash off chlorine and chemicals from your eyelashes and eyelids. Using non-prescription lubricating eye drops before and after hitting the pool can help keep the tear film balanced and make your eyes more comfortable while swimming.
Gel tears, which are thicker than artificial tears, can help with dry eye. Drinking a lot of water can help keep your eyes moist.
Keep in mind that it’s not recommended to wear contact lenses while swimming in any type of water. Doing so puts you at a high risk of developing a corneal infection as bacteria can adhere to the lenses. Eye infection due to chemicals, bacteria, fungi or parasites can lead to corneal damage and vision loss. Symptoms may include redness, pain, tearing, light sensitivity, blurry vision, swelling, and discharge.
Visit your eye doctor immediately if you’re experiencing symptoms of eye infection. At I See Vision Care, we can also address issues linked to TBI concussion and vision. Call us at (561) 733-9008 or fill out our online form to request an appointment. We help patients in Boynton Beach, FL.
Dr. Erin Sonneberg
Dr. Erin Sonneberg, OD, received her Doctor of Optometry degree from New England School of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts in 2004. She completed her undergraduate studies at City University of New York, Queens College in 2000, where she graduated with honors in business. Dr. Sonneberg relocated to Boynton Beach, Florida, in 2006, and has been practicing alongside prestigious ophthalmologists in the area since that time.
