Can I Swim with Contact Lenses in? (Top Risks)

Contact lenses are a lifesaver for many sports and activities. They help people see and aren’t in the way like glasses can be.

When it comes to swimming however, wearing contact lenses is a bad idea.

Risks of Swimming With Contact Lenses In

Your contact lenses spend a lot of their life in little containers of liquid, so why can’t you swim with them? The sterile saline solution contacts rest in while they aren’t in your eyes is drastically different from the water you swim in.

Infection

The top risk of swimming with contact lenses is infection. When you swim without contacts most of the negative things in the water brush past your eyes and don’t attach. Contact lenses will push irritants against your eyes and keep them there until you take your lenses out.

Your contact lenses will also hold onto every germ and chemical they absorb. These particles will continue to bother your eyes every time you wear the contaminated pair of lenses. Even if you are no longer swimming.

It is nearly impossible to clean the lenses well enough to remove everything they came into contact with in the water. You can get an eye infection from swimming in your contacts days after you’re out of the pool.

Signs of Infection

Eye infections rarely occur silently. You will know when you’ve contracted something.

Common signs of an infection include:

• Redness
• Itchiness
• Swelling
• Discharge or Crusted Over Eyelids
• Dryness
• Blurry Vision
• Pain
• Sensitivity to Light
• A Gritty Feeling

If you have symptoms of an infection, stop wearing contacts until the infection has cleared. You should also throw away the infected lenses, even if they aren’t dailies.

Injury

Contact lenses seem harmless, but they can cause injuries. This is especially true when you are swimming.

Corneal abrasions are a moderate risk when you swim with contacts. Small particles can be rubbed into your eyes by the pressure of your contact lenses. This will create small scratches that can lead to irritation or serious problems.

Contacts can also shrink and stick to your eyes when they’re exposed to water. This can cause injuries or general irritation.

If you injure an eye while swimming, administer basic first aid and visit a doctor if the injury is serious.

Irritation

Our eyes are naturally bothered by salt water, chlorine, and microscopic freshwater organisms. Even if you don’t contract an infection or injure your eyes you can simply irritate them if you swim with your contact lenses in.

Your eyes need to be able to blink away what bothers them. That doesn’t happen effectively with contacts while you swim.

Loss of Contact Lenses

Contact lenses can pop out when we are swimming. Losing a lens is not as serious as an infection or injury, but it can hinder the rest of your plans.

If you don’t have backups you’ll have fuzzy vision the rest of the day. Which ultimately might lead to an injury of a different kind.

But What If I…

Your wheels are already spinning. What workarounds are there? What if I close my eyes? Or wear goggles? There has to be a way I can still wear contacts when I swim right?

The answer is still no, but let’s explore a few frequently asked: “What if I…” scenarios.

What if I Close My Eyes Underwater?

In theory, closing your eyes could keep them safe. But you will still likely get water in your eyes as it drips from your hair or down your face. Some water might also get in as you unintentionally crack an eye open. This water, even in smaller doses, can lead to the same irritation or infections mentioned above.

Also, if you’re keeping your eyes closed, why do you need your contacts in any way? You won’t see what is underwater either way.

What if I Swim in Clean Water?

Any natural or manmade body of water you swim in will have bacteria, salt, chlorine, or other irritants. There simply isn’t anywhere you can swim that won’t have something that could bother your eyes.

Even if you found a pristine body of water, you still have the issue of injuries. Abrasions or suctioned-on contacts will always be a risk when you’re swimming.

When it comes to swimming, contact lenses will exacerbate any potential problem and increase the risk of injury or an eye infection.

What if I Wear Disposable Contact Lenses?

Disposable contact lenses are not immune to the problems that face contacts when you’re swimming. They are still a permeable barrier that lets irritants in, but not out.

That being said, if you are going to ignore the advice to not wear contact lenses when you swim, at least wear disposable ones. Then throw them away right after you swim. Don’t save them for the next day when you’re going to swim again or just in case you need a pair. Toss ‘em.

What if I Wear Goggles?

Goggles make it possible to swim with contact lenses in. This is the one what if you can get by with. You need to make sure the goggles make a complete seal around your eyes so no water gets in. Anytime you remove them make sure you dry your face and they re-seal when you put them on.

It can be difficult to find a pair of goggles that work well on your face. Swim in them without contacts until you are sure they will not let water in.

Prescription Lenses

Goggles with prescription lenses are the best solution for people who want to be able to see while they swim. Then you don’t have to wear your contacts and you aren’t compromising on your experience.

The options are endless for prescription goggles. Many are even affordable.

I Swam With My Contact Lenses In. Now What?

It isn’t the end of the world if you took a dip with your contacts in. Make sure you clean everything up well and watch out for signs of injury, irritation, or an infection.

Contact Lenses and Good Hygiene

Cleanliness is important when it comes to putting in and taking out contacts. No matter the circumstances, always wash your hands with soap and water before putting in or removing your contacts. This is especially important after swimming.

If you use daily contacts, throw them out after you swim in them. If you have longer-use lenses you still want to consider throwing them away if you can.

If you have to keep them a while longer, clean them well. The best process is to rub the lenses and rinse them in contact solution. Then store them in a clean case with fresh lens solution. Never use water or another product.

Prevent Infection

In order to prevent an infection, wear a new pair of contacts or your glasses after swimming in contact lenses. You can also flush your eyes with clean water to make sure all irritants are gone.

If you think your contacts caused an infection or injury, reach out to a medical professional.

When to See an Eye Doctor

It can be difficult to know when an issue is serious enough for medical attention. If you went swimming with your contact lenses, but don’t have any clear signs of infection or injury you don’t need to see an eye doctor.

If your mild irritation clears up in a day or two you also don’t need to make an appointment to see anyone.

Schedule an appointment if you have signs of an infection or abrasion, you have a vision change, or your irritation lasts longer than one to two days.