Why You Shouldn’t Swim With Your Contacts

Summer days spent at the beach or poolside are a highlight of coastal living. For contact lens wearers, however, these water activities can pose serious risks to eye health.

While contacts provide freedom from glasses and enhanced visual clarity during outdoor activities, exposing them to water introduces dangers that many wearers don’t fully understand. Keep reading to learn more about summer contact lens safety and why you shouldn’t swim with your contacts!

What Happens When You Wear Contact Lenses in Water?

When contact lenses come into contact with any type of water, whether it’s ocean waves, pool chlorine, or even shower spray, they immediately absorb that water along with any microscopic organisms it contains. Water sources contain various types of bacteria and microorganisms that can adhere to your contact lenses and potentially cause serious eye infections.

The cornea, the clear front surface of your eye, receives oxygen directly from the air. Contact lenses already reduce some oxygen flow to your cornea, and when contaminated with waterborne microorganisms, the risk of infection increases dramatically.

These infections can develop rapidly and, in severe cases, may lead to permanent vision damage if not treated promptly.

Is There Really That Much Bacteria in Water?

One of the most concerning risks associated with exposing contact lenses to water is Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but extremely serious infection caused by microscopic amoebae commonly found in various water sources. These organisms can attach to contact lenses and cause a painful corneal infection that is difficult to treat and can lead to vision loss or even blindness in severe cases.

Swimming, using hot tubs, or even showering while wearing contacts significantly increases your risk of contracting this infection. The amoeba can get trapped between your contact lens and cornea, creating a perfect breeding ground for infection.

Can I Just Be Careful and Keep My Eyes Closed?

Even with your eyes closed, water can still seep around your eyelids and reach your contact lenses. This means you’re still at risk for dangerous infections like Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Many contact lens wearers look for shortcuts, such as keeping their eyes closed while swimming, sleeping in daily lenses “just this once,” or rinsing lenses with tap water when the solution runs out. These workarounds might seem harmless, but they significantly increase your risk of serious complications.

Besides infection risks, water exposure creates other problems even when you try to be cautious. Contacts can wash out when you open your eyes underwater, leaving you with blurred vision in potentially dangerous situations. Water can also distort soft lenses, making them uncomfortable and potentially causing scratches on your cornea.

Perhaps most concerning, water can form a tight seal between your lens and eye, cutting off oxygen flow to your cornea, which is a problem that persists even after the water exposure ends.

The bottom line is that there are no safe shortcuts with contact lens care. The temporary convenience of bending the rules simply isn’t worth risking your vision. When it comes to activities involving water, the safest approach is always to remove your contacts beforehand.

Best Practices for Contact Lens Wearers Around Water

If you wear contact lenses and enjoy water activities, you don’t have to give up either one, you just need to take proper precautions to protect your eye health. The safest approach is always to remove your contact lenses before swimming, showering, using hot tubs, or participating in any water activity where your eyes might get wet.

If you’re just lounging by the pool or beach, prescription sunglasses offer both vision correction and UV protection. For those who absolutely must wear contacts (though still not recommended for swimming), daily disposables pose the lowest risk because you discard them immediately after use.

The LASIK Advantage for Swimmers and Beach-Goers

For active individuals who frequently enjoy water activities, LASIK or other vision correction surgeries may offer the ultimate solution. These procedures can potentially eliminate the need for contacts or glasses entirely, allowing you to swim, surf, and shower without vision concerns.

“For my patients who love water activities but struggle with the limitations of contacts or glasses, LASIK often becomes a life-changing solution,” notes Dr. Kelley. “It’s not just about convenience—it’s about eliminating the risks associated with contact lens use in water environments.”

LASIK provides the freedom to participate in water sports without the worry of infection risks, lost lenses, or compromised vision. For coastal residents who enjoy an active lifestyle, this permanent vision correction option deserves serious consideration.

What’s the Best Way to Care for Contact Lenses in Summer?

Whether you’re at the beach or pool this summer, following certain guidelines will help protect your eye health. First, never expose contacts to water, including tap water for rinsing or storage.

Always wash hands thoroughly before handling contacts and use only fresh contact solution to clean and store lenses, never “top off” old solution. Replace your contact case at least every three months and never sleep in your contacts, even for short naps.

Keep backup glasses accessible, especially for water activities, and attend regular eye exams to ensure continued eye health. By following these practices, you significantly reduce your risk of developing serious eye infections or complications related to contact lens wear.

How Do I Know If My Eyes Are Infected?

If you’ve been in water while wearing contacts and notice any concerning symptoms, remove your lenses immediately and contact your eye doctor at Wilmington Eye. Watch for redness or irritation that persists after lens removal, pain or discomfort that worsens rather than improves, increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision that doesn’t clear when blinking, or excessive tearing or discharge. Early intervention is crucial for preventing minor irritations from developing into serious infections or complications.

Enjoy Your Summer With Clear, Healthy Vision

Summer adventures shouldn’t be compromised by preventable eye health issues. By understanding the risks of water exposure to contact lenses and taking appropriate precautions, you can enjoy clear vision and eye comfort throughout the season.

If you have questions about contact lens care or are interested in exploring LASIK as an alternative for water activities, schedule an appointment with the experts at Wilmington Eye. Our experienced team can help you find the safest, most convenient vision solution for your active lifestyle.

Ready to enjoy water activities without worrying about your contacts? Schedule a LASIK consultation with Wilmington Eye today to see if permanent vision correction is right for you.