Contact lenses make daily life easier, but in the sea or a swimming pool they can become a risk factor for eye disease. Tap water, pool water, lakes and seawater are not sterile. They may contain bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms that do not usually harm an intact eye but can become trapped between a lens and the cornea.

Water may also cause a lens to change shape or adhere more tightly to the eye. Microscopic damage to the cornea and prolonged contact with microorganisms increase the risk of keratitis, an inflammation or infection that requires timely treatment.


Clear water is not sterile water


Chlorination reduces many microorganisms but does not make pool water sterile. Seawater may contain microbes, organic material and particles that irritate the eye. Even when tap water is safe to drink, it is not sterile and should never be used to rinse or store contact lenses.

Only the contact-lens solution recommended by an eye-care professional should be used for cleaning and storage.


What is Acanthamoeba keratitis?


Acanthamoeba is a microscopic organism found in water and soil. Acanthamoeba keratitis is rare, but it can be extremely painful, difficult to treat and capable of causing permanent vision loss. Most people who develop the infection are contact-lens wearers.

The risk is not limited to Acanthamoeba. Bacterial and fungal keratitis may also be associated with incorrect lens wear, cleaning or storage.


Are swimming goggles enough?


Tight-fitting goggles reduce the amount of water reaching the eyes, but they cannot eliminate leakage. The safest practice is to remove contact lenses before swimming, showering, using a hot tub or taking part in any activity that may expose them to water.

Prescription swimming goggles are a useful alternative for people who need clear vision in the water. Carrying backup glasses is also sensible at the beach and while travelling.


What to do if contact lenses get wet


If water reaches the lenses, remove them as soon as possible with clean, dry hands. Daily disposable lenses should be discarded. Reusable lenses need to be cleaned and fully disinfected with the correct solution before they are worn again, following professional and manufacturer instructions.

Never use water or saliva to moisten a lens, and do not top up old solution in the case. Clean the case with fresh solution, allow it to air-dry and replace it regularly.


Symptoms that require urgent assessment


Severe pain, increasing redness, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, excessive tearing, discharge or a persistent foreign-body sensation after swimming require urgent advice from an eye-care professional. Do not simply wait for symptoms to pass or use random eye drops, particularly steroid drops, without an examination.

Early diagnosis matters because different infections may look similar at first but require different treatments. https://healthpont.com/swimming-with-contact-lenses-risks/