Can you swim with contact lenses?

By ClearSight, 18 January, 2024

Swim with contact lenses? The U.S. FDA recommends “always removing contact lenses before swimming.” For clear vision at the pool, consider using prescription goggles.

Are you a parent whose child is navigating the world with nearsightedness, relying on glasses or contact lenses for clear vision? If so, you're not alone. In the United States, approximately 41.6% of Americans require glasses or contact lenses for clear vision due to nearsightedness. Additionally, 16.7% of US adults wear contact lenses, and about 14.5% of all children under 17 years old wear contact lenses. According to a survey conducted by the American Optometric Association (AOA), one of the key reasons parents seeking contact lenses for their children often do so is because glasses can interfere with sports or daily activities.¹

A common question arises from parents of children who enjoy water sports such as swimming: is it safe for your child to swim with contact lenses? This article aims to address this query, shed light on the potential risks associated with water-related activities while wearing contact lenses, and discuss the current FDA recommendations. Let’s dive right in.

Understanding contact lenses for vision correction

Contact lenses are placed directly on the eye's surface to correct vision by altering how light enters the eye. They feature microscopic pores that allow the passage of oxygen and fluids, ensuring good oxygen permeability to prevent discomfort and potential damage to the cornea. The pores also facilitate the exchange of tears and other fluids, maintaining a healthy and comfortable eye environment.

However, if not cleaned properly, the lenses' pores may become clogged with debris, absorb chemicals, or accumulate bacteria. This can lead to eye irritations, scratched corneas, and the risk of vision-threatening infections.²

Can you wear contact lenses in a swimming pool?

Wearing contact lenses in a swimming pool is not advisable due to the potential risks associated. Swimming with contact lenses increases the likelihood of dryness, irritation, scratched cornea, and infection. The porous nature of contact lenses allows bacteria and other substances present in water to become trapped in the lens material or between the lens and the eye.

Bacteria and microbes, especially Acanthamoeba, thriving in water, can pose a risk to vision loss. The prevalence of Acanthamoeba keratitis was reported to be 1 to 9 cases per 100,000 individuals, with contact lens usage identified as the primary risk factor. Up to 93% of reported cases of this eye infection occurred among contact lens wearers, emphasizing the connection between the condition and contact lens use. Furthermore, it's important to note that pool chemicals, including chlorine, do not completely eliminate all pathogens.³

Due to the severity of associated risks, the U.S. FDA recommends, “Always remove contact lenses before swimming.”⁴

Furthermore, while some might consider wearing goggles to be protective, a study involving 23 subjects who swam with and without goggles while wearing contact lenses revealed valuable insights. The group wearing goggles had reduced bacterial growth on contact lenses measured in colony-forming units per lens (CFU/lens), with the non-goggled group having a higher median value (80 CFU/lens) compared to the goggled group (20 CFU/lens). However, it's essential to note that both groups experienced bacterial growth, meaning goggles don’t eliminate such risk.⁵

Alternatives to swim with contact lenses and goggles

Many of us have tried swimming with contact lenses and tightly sealed goggles or have done it regularly. In fact, I used to do it myself. I remember doing it only led to dryness and occasional minor red eyes afterward; I was fine for many years. That is until I finally got an eye infection and was lucky that it was successfully treated. As discussed earlier, while wearing goggles can play a significant role in reducing the risk of infection, they don't completely eliminate the risk.⁵

Moreover, children, by nature, are full of energy. Merely relying on goggles to shield contact lenses from pool water may prove insufficient. Water slipping into improperly worn or accidentally dislodged goggles during play should be expected. Just sit by a swimming pool with a bunch of kids, and you will see it happening all the time: how many kids still have their goggles on after their cannonball dives?

As a parent, it's unimaginable for me to contemplate if my son happens to be the one in ten thousand or a million, regardless of the odds. Moreover, when faced with the consequences of swimming with contact lenses—where the choices are "being infected with vision-threatening bacteria" to "did get infected this time"—why not simply opt for the safer choice: "don't swim with contact lenses"?

For children requiring clear vision while swimming, prescription goggles can be a practical, affordable, and safer solution. Investing in these goggles not only provides clear sight but also minimizes the risk discussed. Additionally, it's reassuring to note that high-quality prescription goggles in the USA typically range from US$20 to 30.

Other activities to approach with caution for contact lens wearers

Showering with contact lenses:

Showering while wearing contact lenses can increase the risk of eye infections and other complications. If your child has swum with contact lenses, it's possible that they also showered with the contact lenses on before heading home. However, showering with contact lenses on may raise the likelihood of developing an eye infection, similar to swimming with contact lenses.

Illustrating the severity of the risk, a rare and extreme incident reported by several news outlets in 2019 involved a 29-year-old UK man, Nick Humphreys. He was infected by Acanthamoeba in his right eye after showering with his contact lenses on. Humphreys noticed dryness and sensitivity to light, prompting a visit to an eye doctor who diagnosed him with AK. Despite initial treatment, he ultimately lost all vision in his right eye several months afterward.⁶

Using hot tubs or water spas while wearing contact lenses

Using hot tubs or water spas with contact lenses on can increase the risk of eye infections. If your children are older, they may also use the hot tub or water spa amenity provided by many swimming pools. Chemicals, including chlorine, used do not guarantee the elimination of all pathogens. Even if your head remains above water in a hot tub, splashing can lead to an increased risk.

The U.S. FDA advises removing contact lenses before swimming and emphasizes avoiding exposing contact lenses to any water source, such as lakes, ponds, oceans, distilled water, tap water, or even homemade saline solutions. These water sources can harbor microorganisms that pose a serious threat of causing eye infections.⁴

Contact lenses for water-loving children

Let's explore various types of contact lenses if your child enjoys water-related activities.

1. Vision Correction Contact Lenses:

Soft Contact Lenses: Widely recommended for children due to their comfort, soft lenses come in daily, biweekly, and monthly disposables. Opting for daily lenses allows easy disposal if exposed to water.
Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses (RGP): Known as 'hard lenses,' RGPs offer clear vision but are replaced every one to two years. Thorough cleaning after swimming is crucial, making them less ideal for water-loving kids.
Scleral Lenses: Tailored for specific eye issues, these lenses are replaced every one to three years and may have special coatings. Not the best choice for water enthusiasts.

2. Myopia Control Contact Lenses:

Myopia-Control Soft Contact Lenses: Daily disposable multifocal lenses effectively reduce nearsightedness progression, and they can be easily discarded if exposed to water.
Ortho-k Lenses: Worn overnight and not during swimming, making them a viable option for kids who love the water.

Signs of eye infections after swimming

If your child has been exposed to water while wearing contact lenses, remain alert for potential sign of any infection:⁷

Irritation, soreness, or pain in the eyes that doesn’t improve with traditional treatment
Persistent redness and/or itching, even after removing the contact lenses
Complaints about feeling something in the eye
Presence of eye discharge
Sensitivity to light

These symptoms may suggest an eye infection. It's crucial to promptly have your child's eyes checked by an eye doctor and initiate appropriate treatment if necessary.

Key Takeaway

To safeguard your child's eye health during water activities, adhere to the following key precautions. Don’t swim with contact lenses, as emphasized by the U.S. FDA; opting instead for prescription goggles for clear vision with reduced risks. Exercise caution in all water-related activities, including showering and hot tub use, as wearing contact lenses also increases the risk of eye infections. Stay vigilant for symptoms like eye irritation or redness post-water exposure, seeking prompt attention from an eye doctor for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. So, dive in with goggles and keep those eyes twinkling like stars!

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