A refreshing dip in the pool or ocean is a fantastic way to cool off and have fun in the summer. However, for those who depend on glasses, navigating a swimming environment can present some unique challenges. Luckily, with a few simple tips, you can maximize your enjoyment and safety while swimming.
While corrective eyewear is essential for everyday activities, it’s not ideal for poolside lounging or swimming. Glasses can easily slip off your face and become lost in the water. Furthermore, glass of any kind is a big no-no in any water setting.
- Sharp Shards: Broken glass can create sharp fragments that can easily cut or pierce skin if stepped on or touched. It’s hazardous around pools and other water bodies where people are often barefoot. Consider using plastic or other safer materials for eyewear to avoid these risks.
- Hidden Hazards: Shards of glass can be transparent and difficult to see in clear water, increasing the risk of someone accidentally stepping on them.
- Difficult Retrieval: Once broken, glass can sink to the bottom of a pool or other body of water, making it difficult and potentially dangerous to retrieve.
Additional Considerations:
Dropping Glasses: Wet surfaces around pools can be slippery, increasing the chance of dropping your glasses, which could shatter.
Distraction: Worrying about your glasses falling in or getting lost in the water can distract from enjoying your time at the pool.
Contacts and Pool Water: Not a Perfect Match
Contact lenses are a convenient vision correction option, but they’re not recommended for swimming. Pool water can harbor bacteria and other microorganisms that can easily get trapped under your lenses causing irritation.
- Microscopic Menace: Pool water, lakes, and oceans teem with microscopic organisms like bacteria, parasites, and even amoebas. These can get trapped under your contacts and directly onto your eye, potentially causing serious infections.
- Irritant Overload: Chlorine, a common pool disinfectant, can irritate your eyes. However, chlorine can cause significant discomfort, redness, and burning when trapped under a contact lens.
- Lost and Found (Not the Fun Kind): The force of water while swimming can dislodge your contacts. Losing a lens in a pool can be frustrating and leave you with blurry vision until you find a replacement.
Rx Goggles: A Clear Choice
Prescription goggles are a safe and effective way for visually impaired individuals to see clearly underwater. They come in various corrective powers and offer a wider field of vision compared to regular goggles. Here’s an option that we quickly found->> Prescription Swimming Goggles
Keeping Makeup in Place: A Waterproof Must
For makeup wearers, waterproof mascara and eyeliner can help prevent products from smudging or running into their eyes while swimming. Alternatively, you can remove your makeup altogether before getting in the water. This is particularly important for false eyelashes or extensions, which can harbor bacteria. Just remember to apply sunscreen.
Bonus Tip: The Power of the Buddy System
Swimming with a sighted friend or companion is an excellent safety measure, especially for those new to swimming or who depend on glasses. Your buddy can help you navigate the pool area, describe your surroundings, and assist you in and out of the water.
By following these tips, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable swimming experience. Prioritize safety and choose solutions that best suit your vision, needs, and preferences. With some preparation, you can confidently take the plunge and enjoy the water!
Sources:
https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/can-you-swim-with-contacts
https://visionsource.com/blog/eye-care-tips-for-summer-water-fun/
https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2024/06/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-wearing-contacts-pool
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