Enjoying Swimming Pools Without Eye Irritations

Planning on taking a dip in the pool this weekend? If so, check out these tips to help protect the health of your eyes while you go for a swim.  New JerseyMeadowlandsHospitalMedicalCenter emergency room physician Dr. Sampson Davis explained in a July 2014 news release that while the chemicals that are used to treat pool water, such as chlorine, help keep the pool water clean they can also cause eye irritations and leave swimmers more susceptible to developing eye infections, including pink eye infections.

According to Davis, the chemicals in the pool water tend to wash away the outer protective layer of film that helps shield the eyes and prevent infections. The chemicals in the pool water can also dry-out the eyes and irritate the cornea, both of which can cause blurry vision and discomfort. Thankfully there are ways to soothe and protect the eyes so we can still enjoy that refreshing dip the pool.

Tips For Protecting The Eyes While Swimming in Pools

-- Wear a pair of water-tight goggles

-- Try to avoid opening the eyes while under water if you don’t have googles

-- Don’t wear contact lenses while swimming, which can allow bacteria to get caught between the lens and the eye and lead to infections

-- Use eye lubricating drops to help relieve dry eyes or the Rohto Cool Redness Relief Eye Drops to help relieve redness, burning, and irritations

-- Use an eyewash station or clean running tap water to flush severely irritated or burning eyes for about 15 minutes

-- Get soothing relief from pink eye infections by using the Similasan Pink Eye Relief Eye Drops

Another great tip, using the Auto Eye Drop Guide makes putting in eye drops without wasting medications a cinch. This clever device helps keep the eye open and prevent blinking while providing users with greater levels of control and precision over the bottle.

Swimmers who experience red eyes that are seeping out fluids, severe pain, or bothersome blurry/distorted vision should seek immediate medical attention to rule out more serious problems.

Those who have active eye infections, including pink eye, should avoid swimming. The treated water could worsen the infection and cause more discomfort. Swimming with active eye infections can also spread the infection to other people that swim in that pool.

Sources:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=179754

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_147565.html