Summer is around the corner, and that means trips to the beach, lake, or pool! If you’re new to contact lenses, you might be wondering if it’s safe to swim with them in — the answer is no — it can raise your risk of eye issues, from dry eyes to eye infections and corneal damage. It’s best to avoid wearing contacts while in any type of water or while showering. However, it’s critical to take measures to protect your eyes before and after if you need to wear them. Our optometrist in Fairfax, VA, explains how below.
Wearing contact lenses while swimming is hazardous. Your lenses can absorb the water due to the prolonged exposure. This can trap bacteria and viruses that may be present in the water in your eye — especially if you’re swimming in the ocean, a river, or a lake, as they contain more pathogens than treated pool water does.
Wearing your contact lenses while swimming can lead to the following:
If you can’t swim safely without your contact lenses, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of eye problems, such as:
You can also throw away your contact lenses, put on a clean pair, or stick with daily contact lenses if you frequently swim.
Even with precautions, you should watch for signs of eye infections to catch it early and get to our optometrist for treatment, such as:
If you have any of these symptoms after swimming with your contact lenses, call our optometrist.
Contact Our Optometrist in Fairfax, VA, To Learn More!
To learn more or to schedule an appointment for a consultation, please contact us at any of the below phone numbers:
Arlington & Clarendon: 703-721-7754
Arlington in Ballston: 703-844-1726
Ashburn: 571-371-0075
Fairfax: 703-214-7992
Herndon: 571-454-8471
Springfield: 703-214-5843
Woodbridge: 703-214-7627
Our friendly staff will be happy to answer any of your questions or help you schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you!
https://visualhealthoptometrist.com/
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