contact lenses and salt water
 

Hi,

Is it OK to wear contact lenses while swimming in salt water? Would it be OK for snorkelling? I much prefer contact lenses to glasses and I have swum with my contacts in several pools/lakes without incident.

Thanks in advance!

I've worn contact lenses snorkeling with no problems, but the mask protects my eyes from the water.

When I got contacts a zillion years ago, the man who fit them said the only time he'd ever lost a pair was swimming, so I've never swum in mine without a mask or goggles.

It depends what type of contact lenses you have. Soft contact lenses act like a sponge and easily absorb contaminants, which could cause irritation or infection/corneal ulcers. The biggest water risks with CLs are from hot tubs. I've seen some SCLs change shape and power due to some solutions, but I'm not sure what salt water would do. It's always safest to not wear SCLs while swimming. However, in the same breath, it's safest not to wear CLs overnight. And many people do this without harm!! Now if you wear rigid gas permeables (RGPs), then I wouldn't risk it. Even though they don't absorb like sponges, they can easily dislodge and you could lose it. If you wear some type of protective mask/eyegoggles, then I think the CLs are probably OK. Sorry to get long winded on the topic!

Funny--I just posted a question about prescription snorkel masks!

if you open your eyes under water w/o goggles, the contact could slip out, unless you squint. saltwater, chlorinated pool, hot tub, doesn't matter where. i've lost them far away while in a pool. i had spares in my luggages, plus prescription sunglasses.

Our othomologist said it's not a good idea to swim with contacts because bacteria in the water will sit behind the lenses and can create problems.

Some of the cons mentioned are why they now make disposable contacts. I wear mine all the time while swimming & have had a couple 'float' on me but have never lost one.

I wear disposable soft contact lenses. I wear them swimming all the time, as I am pretty much blind without them. :( I usually keep several old pair to swim with in salt or lake water, so that I can just throw them away after. That way, you don't have to worry about them holding bacteria.

I will admit, though, that I've never asked my doctor about this, so this is just my experience, not a medical opinion!

I think it may also depend on how sensitive your eyes are. Salt water burns my eyes. I can't imagine how it would be if they started burning with contacts in.

I have swam in the ocean in my contacts since I was 18. (as well as the pool) I have never lost one or had any problem at all. What I have lost are sunglasses, but that's another story. If you swim in lakes with your contacts, the ocean should be no trouble. After all, your tears are salty, no?

I forgot to inform y'all that she's now 19 years old.

Fehgeddaboudit -- that's hilarious!! You do have some funny comments. Your ID is actually my favorite line from 'Mickey Blue Eyes' with Hugh Grant.

Litespeed, your tears do contain lysozyme, to help fight against certain bacteria with cell walls. However, the biggest concern with lakes, oceans, pools, and hot tubs is a parasite that causes acanthamoeba keratitis. This mainly affects CL wearers. The condition causes a corneal ulcer, scarring, and could lead to blindness. That is why it's always best to not wear CLs while swimming. The condition might be rare (1:30,000 CL wearers), but I sure wouldn't want to be the one who gets it.

Can you call up your Dr's office and ask? They may know your particular product the best.

I've worn contact lenses almost all my life and I've lived on the beach for the past 20 years so I feel qualified to answer this question.

Yes, you can wear your contacts while swimming in salt water.

I've never lost a contact in the ocean or in a pool.

Yes, the salt water can irritate your eyes if you are in the water for too long.

The most frequent thing that happens to me is that one will feel like it is 'drying up' and get lost in my eye. As soon as I blink a couple of times, it drops back over my cornea.