Contact lens wearers may not think twice about taking a shower or jumping into a swimming pool with their lenses on. A common misconception is that contact lenses sit directly on the eye and are safe around water. However, wearing contact lenses around water can increase the risk of eye irritation and serious infections.

Swimming pools and showers can contain microorganisms and contaminants that can become trapped in the lens and cause an eye infection. This can damage the cornea and potentially affect vision. So, how safe is it to wear them near water? Most importantly, what can you do about it? Let’s find out. 

Can You Shower or Swim While Wearing Contact Lenses?

The short answer is no. You shouldn’t wear contact lenses in the shower, even if you plan to keep your eyes closed. Here are a few reasons why: 

Trapped Microorganism

Tap and shower water may contain microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and other parasites, including Acanthamoeba, which can get trapped in the lens and cause infection.

Risk of Corneal Infection

Water exposure can penetrate the lens and risk damaging the cornea. Harmful contamination can cause inflammation around the cornea and hamper vision.

Changes in Lens Shape

Soft contact lenses act like sponges and absorb water, which changes their shape, causing them to swell or stick to your eye, and can create micro-scratches. This process is called lens wrapping. 

Chemical Irritation

Chemicals from soaps and shampoos can also enter the lens, get trapped, causing irritation on the eye surface. Chemicals can cause dryness, claims an expert on contact lenses in Houston, TX. 

Can You Swim While Wearing Contact Lenses?

Swimming in Chlorinated Pools

Even though chlorinated pools are sterilized, do not wear contact lenses to the pool for the following reasons:

• Not Completely Sterile: Chlorine does not eliminate all bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms.

• Risk of Acanthamoeba Keratitis: Acanthamoeba may become trapped between the lens and the cornea, increasing the risk of Acanthamoeba keratitis.

• Chlorine-Related Eye Irritation: Eye lenses may retain some of these substances, potentially contributing to discomfort and a burning sensation. 

• Chances of Water Being Trapped: A lens may hold contaminated water against the eye, increasing chance of an infection. 

Swimming in Lakes, Rivers, and Oceans

Unlike swimming pools, rivers, lakes, and oceans are not sterilized and can cause harm to your eyes if you’re wearing corrective lenses while swimming. Here are risks that lens wearers should understand: 

• Exposure to Harmful Microorganisms: Corrective lenses can trap microorganisms in lakes and rivers within their gaps, leading to an infection.

• Salt and Other Contaminants in Ocean Water: Contaminated seawater may introduce microorganisms that can also contribute to discomfort for eye lens wearers.

• Lens Wrapping: Lenses can absorb water and swell or change shape, which may affect how they fit or make them stick to the eye.

Using Hot Tubs While Wearing Contact Lenses

Hot tubs might be cleaner than rivers and lakes. But they are not safe for wearing contact lenses either, eye experts in Houston, TX, suggest. Here are some risks associated with it: 

• Breeding Ground for Microbial Growth: Hot tubs provide warm, moist environments where certain microorganisms can survive, even when the water is treated with disinfectants.

• Continuous Water Circulation: Microorganisms may spread faster throughout the tub in warm water than cold water, rather than remaining in one area.

• Discomfort from Chemical Exposure: Disinfectants may irritate the eyes, particularly when contact lenses are exposed to the water.

• Risks of Hot Water Jets: Hot tub jets create strong water movement and splashing, which can expose your corrective lenses to potentially contaminated water.

• Contaminated Shared Facilities: Water quality is variable when used by the public. So don’t assume that every hot tub is completely free of harmful microorganisms.

What Eye Infections Can Result From Contact Lens Exposure to Water

Here are some infections you risk when your contact lens is exposed to water:

• Acanthamoeba Keratitis: A rare but serious corneal infection caused by the Acanthamoeba parasite; can lead to permanent vision loss.

• Bacterial Keratitis: A bacterial infection of the cornea; can cause eye pain, redness, blurred vision, and light sensitivity.

• Fungal Eye Infections: May cause redness, pain, and blurred vision.

• Corneal Inflammation: Causes discomfort, redness, and excessive tearing.

How Can You Protect Your Vision While Swimming?

Contact lenses might be vulnerable to water, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your swimming and compromise your vision. Here are a few methods to achieve clear vision during swimming: 

• Remove Lenses Before Swimming: Especially in pools, lakes, rivers, oceans, and hot tubs

• Choose Prescription Swimming Goggles: As a safer alternative to corrective lenses

• Wear Well-Fitting Goggles: To reduce direct water exposure and protect your eyes from irritants

• Avoid Reusing Water-Exposed Lenses: Discard daily disposables after water exposure

• Keep Your Hands Clean: Especially before handling eye lenses

• Watch for Warning Signs:  Signs such as pain, redness, blurred vision, excessive tearing, or light sensitivity after swimming

When Should You See an Eye Doctor After Water Exposure?

Here are some warning signs that require medical intervention if the discomfort continues:

• Eye pain or persistent discomfort.

• Redness.

• Blurred vision.

• Sensitivity to light.

• Excessive tearing.

• A sensation that something is stuck in the eye

Protect Your Eye Health With Professional Contact Lens Care in Houston

Searching for high-quality contact lenses in Houston, TX? At Focus Refined Eye Care, Dr. Bimal Patel provides personalized contact lens evaluations and guidance to help patients maintain comfortable, healthy vision. Schedule a contact lens examination with us in Houston, TX. Get professional guidance to make informed choices about your vision care. 

FAQs

1. Can you get an eye infection from swimming with contact lenses?

Yes. Water may contain harmful microorganisms. Therefore, swimming with corrective lenses can increase your risk of eye infections. Remove your contact lenses before swimming in pools, lakes, rivers, or oceans. 

2. Are prescription swimming goggles a safer alternative to contact lenses for swimming?

Yes, prescription swimming goggles provide vision correction without exposing contact lenses to contaminated water. Contact your eye doctor before using swimming goggles. 

3. Where can I schedule a contact lens examination in Houston, TX?

You can schedule a contact lens examination at Focus Refined Eye Care in Houston, TX. Dr. Bimal Patel provides personalized eye lens evaluations to help ensure proper fit and eye health.