Question about swimming and contacts?

[johnjbruin]

This is for people who wear contacts.
When you guys go swimming, do you have them on, take them off or what? Do you have to wear swimming goggles? If you have them on will they just come out if you open your eyes underwater? Are they safe to wear without goggles? With goggles?
Just curious because I wanna start swimming and considering the different factors.
Thanks.

 

[Kalvin00]

AFAIK, wearing contacts and swimming is a bad idea..

 

[Orsorum]

I used to swim and wear contacts... it was okay, as long as I didn't swim for too long and didn't constantly open my eyes underwater.

I wouldn't recommend doing it daily or for long periods of time.

 

[Ikonomi]

I'd strongly advise against getting pool water in your contacts. Take them out, or wear goggles and be careful. If you're just swimming above the water or something, then whatever. Just don't open up your eyes and stare around underwater.

 

[Kilrsat]

Chlorine + contacts = very, very bad.

If you swim with your contacts in, keep the goggles on. (Alternative is getting perscription goggles, then you don't have to worry.)

Not only can you lose the contact, but your eyes will become very dry and irritated. Sometimes making it nearly impossible to take the contact out, and even if you can, you risk scratching the eye as the contact has also dried out severly at that point.

 

[johnjbruin]

hmm... how am i suppose to see then? I cant wear glasses?
So what are the possible solutions?

 

[jacob0401]

As kilsrat stated you could get prescription goggles. However IIRC they are expensive.

 

[kami333]

I swim with mine in all the time and usually don't have any problems. I try not to open them underwater since they float off very easily and the chlorine is very irratating. I was never a big fan of googles, even back in jhs when I swam competitively, so getting prescription ones are out of the question.

 

[johnjbruin]

Originally posted by: kami333
I swim with mine in all the time and usually don't have any problems. I try not to open them underwater since they float off very easily and the chlorine is very irratating. I was never a big fan of googles, even back in jhs when I swam competitively, so getting prescription ones are out of the question.

Do you just try to keep your head above the water then?

Any other people have experience with this?

 

[Kelvrick]

I just make it a point to use eye drops every once in a while.

 

[Savij]

I keep losing my contacts in the water so either I make a point to keep my eyes closed or just take them out. My vision isn't that bad so taking them out isn't a big deal.