At Kugler Vision in Omaha, Nebraska, we care very much about your contact lens safety. And you have to be particularly vigilant about it when you go swimming.
Swimming with contact lenses should be avoided whenever possible to help prevent bacterial contamination. Contact lenses trap bacteria, which can result in eye infections, irritation, and serious conditions that can threaten your eyesight, like a corneal ulcer.
You may have seen news reports from a recent study that looked at the risk of infection related to contact lens use and how it compares to the infection risk from LASIK. The study showed that one year of using extended wear of soft contact lenses led to 3 times as many cases of microbial keratitis, one of the more common types of eye infection, than LASIK. While you may still only be thinking about LASIK, this research makes a strong point about how important it is to be safe with your contact lenses.
Common Complications From Swimming With Contact Lenses
Swimming with contact lenses can irritate and even damage your eyes. Common problems include:
- Red, painful eye infections
- Blurred vision with a foreign body sensation
- Tearing
- Sensitivity to light
- Unusually long period of red, irritated eyes – even after contact lenses are removed
What You Need to Avoid
Water is full of potential eye hazards that you can’t see. In general, you should avoid exposing your contact lenses to any type of water, including:
- Swimming pools
- Lakes
- Oceans
- Hot tubs
- Tap water
- Even baths and showers
Can You Swim With Contact Lenses?
It’s best for you to swim without your contacts, but if that’s not an option, there are three possible alternatives for you to consider.
- Prescription swimming goggles – allow you to see clearly underwater without any risks associated with swimming in contact lenses.
- Swim goggles – allow you to still wear contact lenses and reduce risk of eye irritation, infection, and contact lenses dislodging from your eyes. After swimming, we recommend you remove your contact lenses and soak them in contact solution for 24 hours. If you experience any redness, pain, blurred vision, or discharge, remove the contact lenses and inform your eye doctor.
- Laser vision correction – When your vision stabilizes as a young adult, typically between the ages of 18-21, laser vision correction procedures such as LASIK or a lens implant, are available to permanently correct your vision. Many people, especially those with an active lifestyle, choose to say goodbye to glasses and contact lenses. It’s their best solution to enjoy swimming without the hassles.
Find Out If You Are a Candidate
Kugler Vision can help you achieve your best vision, so you can live a life free from visual barriers. You will be able to enjoy swimming without worrying about possible eye infections and other complications. If you have questions or would like to schedule a consultation to find out if you’re a candidate for LASIK, please contact us at 402.558.2211.
Lance Kugler, MD, is a specialist in LASIK and vision correction surgery and CEO of Kugler Vision. A proud Omaha native, he is passionate about improving lives through clear vision. Dr. Kugler serves on several national boards, and his practice is recognized internationally as a center of excellence. Dr. Kugler is one of the original founders of the Refractive Surgery Alliance, an international organization comprised of over 350 of the world’s leading vision correction surgeons; he also served as its first president. In 2019, Dr. Kugler was selected as a TEDx speaker, and delivered a talk in Omaha about the worldwide epidemic of nearsightedness and refractive solutions. Dr. Kugler is an Associate Professor of Refractive Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Truhlsen Eye Institute, has been published in many medical journals, and participates in numerous clinical studies to advance the field of vision correction surgery. Additionally, Dr. Kugler is proud to be a Board Certified Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences. Dr. Kugler and his wife are proud parents to five active kids. When he has a spare moment, he enjoys skiing, tennis, travel, and fine coffee.
