Safe eye protection while swimming and sauna bathing
Swimming regularly is one of the healthiest forms of exercise, but the swimming pool environment presents special challenges for our eyes. Chlorinated water, humid air and improperly used contact lenses or goggles can easily cause eye irritation, infection or even long-term eye damage. It is therefore important to be aware of how to protect your eyes in swimming pools and saunas.
Wearing contact lenses and glasses in swimming pools – Why contact lenses are not recommended in swimming pools?
Wearing contact lenses while swimming is particularly risky. Bacteria and other pathogens in swimming pool water can easily adhere to the surface of the lens, which can cause:
- conjunctivitis,
- corneal infection,
- or cause severe irritation.
Chlorine alone can dry and irritate the eyes. If someone does swim with contact lenses, they should wear closed goggles and it is best to use disposable (daily) lenses, which they should discard immediately after training.
Wearing goggles in swimming pools
Traditional goggles are not ideal for swimming, they fog up easily and can damage the surface layer of the lenses. Today, dioptric goggles and dioptric diving masks are available, providing a safe and comfortable alternative for swimmers who wear goggles.
Effects of swimming goggles and diving goggles on the eyes
- Protection: the primary role of float goggles is to prevent water and chlorine from coming into direct contact with the surface of the eye. The primary purpose of a water eye is to protect the eye from direct contact with chlorine and chlorine in the water.
- Dioptric design: swimming goggles and diving masks with different dioptres are available in many places, which are a great help for spectacle wearers.
- Eye pressure and risks: with tight-fitting float goggles, the vacuum effect may slightly increase eye pressure. This is not usually a problem for healthy eyes, but glaucoma (glaucoma) patients should be careful and choose a looser fitting model.
Saunas and wet blocks: what to look out for? – Contact lenses in sauna
The hot, dry air in the sauna can quickly dry out contact lenses, which can lead to dry eyes, discomfort and irritation. Therefore, it is not recommended to wear contact lenses while in the sauna.
Glasses in the sauna
Traditional glasses fog up, making them less practical, but they have no adverse health effects.
Hygiene in wet rooms
It is also advisable to avoid wearing contact lenses in showers, steam rooms, spas or jacuzzis, where microorganisms can easily stick.
How do we protect our eyes in swimming pools and saunas?
The swimming pool and sauna environment creates special conditions for the eye. People wearing contact lenses should pay extra attention to hygiene and avoid using lenses in the water as much as possible. Dioptric swim goggles and diving masks are a good alternative for spectacle wearers. Swimming goggles generally protect the eyes, but if worn too tightly they can briefly increase eye pressure, which can be risky for certain eye conditions.
If you have any questions about the right eye protection or eyewear, contact our optometrists at Rapidus Optik and they will be happy to help you find the best solution!
