Swimming Pool Safety

In previous columns we have talked about the need for sunblock for the skin around the eyes as well as ultraviolet filtering sunglasses, however, there is another very important safety precaution that should be considered when swimming.  That is contact lens safety.

Many people use contact lenses in swimming pools, hot tubs, and lakes, but not many people know that this could lead to very serious and potentially blinding ocular infections.  The organism that I am referring to is called Acanthamoeba.  As its name implies, this organism is an amoeba that his commonly found in tap water, swimming pools, lakes, soil, air, and dust.

This organism can withstand extreme temperatures and some chemical antibacterial agents as well so once contracted, the infection can take months to treat.  In 50% of cases, surgery may be required and loss of vision can occur in as many as 30% of infections. 

Because of the potential for such serious complications, prevention of infection is of utmost importance.  Here’s what you can do to minimize your risk of contamination:

• Remove your contact lenses before swimming or entering a hot tub
• If you do wear your contact lenses when swimming, wear swim goggles to prevent the lenses from being splashed with contaminated water
• Remove your lenses immediately after swimming, rub and rinse the surface of the lens only with sterile contact lens solutions (never tap water), then disinfect lenses prior to re-wearing
• Absolutely no sleeping in lenses after swimming
• Throw out used disinfection solution every single day!
• Contact lens cases should be rinsed with sterile contact lens disinfecting solution – not tap water – and allowed to air dry every day
• Contact lens cases should be replaced monthly at best, but at least every 3 months

An easy way to avoid even the potential for infection is to use daily disposable contact lenses.  These lenses can cost as little as $1/day and in my opinion, the peace of mind you get with these lenses is worth far more than the cost.  Even if you don’t want to use these lenses year round, we can fit you with them for swimming season and have you use regular monthly lenses the rest of the year.
At Family Eyewear Gallery, we will tailor your contact lenses not just to your prescription, but also to your lifestyle.  Give us a call for more information.