Ah, the joys of a summer swim! There’s nothing like dipping into a refreshing pool or splashing around in the ocean waves to beat the heat. But before you throw a cannon into the water, have you thought about protecting your eyes? As much as we love water, it isn’t always good for our eyes. Here, we will go into detail about how to protect your eyes while swimming in summer and how to avoid common eye problems if you don’t.
eye problems due to swimming
Many eye problems can arise if proper precautions are not taken while swimming. Here are some common eye problems that can occur if you don’t take care of your eyes while swimming, especially in chlorinated water.
1. Chlorine Irritation: Chlorine is commonly used to disinfect pool water, but it can irritate your eyes.
2. Swimmer’s Eye: Also known as swimming pool conjunctivitis, this is a type of conjunctivitis that can occur after swimming in chlorinated or contaminated water. Swimmer’s eye is caused by bacteria or viruses that can enter the eye while swimming. If left untreated, a swimmer’s eye can lead to a more serious eye infection, such as a corneal ulcer or vision loss.
3. Dry eyes Swimming in chlorinated or salt water can cause dryness in your eyes, which can lead to irritation and discomfort.
4. Corneal abrasion: If you rub your eyes while swimming, you can scratch the cornea, causing a corneal abrasion.
5. UV Damage: exposure to UV radiation from sunlight can damage your eyesIncluding cataracts, macular degeneration and corneal sunburn.
Many eye problems can arise if proper precautions are not taken while swimming and therefore, it is important to take steps to protect your eyes while swimming to avoid these problems and maintain good eye health.
How to protect your eyes while swimming?
1. Wear goggles
The most important thing you can do to protect your eyes while swimming is to wear goggles. Goggles create a barrier between your eyes and the water, preventing irritants like chlorine and salt from getting in. A study published in the Journal of Ophthalmology found that wearing goggles while swimming reduced the risk of developing swimmer’s eye or other ocular surface disorders. Pool water.. These also help keep your eyes moist and reduce the risk of infection. The study also recommended wearing glasses with UV protection to protect the eyes from UV damage.
Read also: Summer Eye Care: Protect Your Eyes From The Scorching Heat
2. Use lubricating drops
Chlorine and salt water can cause dryness and irritation in your eyes. Using lubricating eye drops before and after swimming can help keep your eyes moist and reduce your risk of infection. Choose eye drops that are specifically designed for swimmers and do not contain preservatives.
Read also: My mother says that using rose water for eyes can keep eyes clean and healthy
3. Take a break
Swimming for long periods of time without taking a break can strain your eyes. The previously mentioned study also found that taking regular breaks while swimming can reduce eye fatigue and prevent eye strain. The study recommends taking a 10-minute break for every hour of swimming.
4. Take a shower before swimming
Before entering a pool or ocean, take a shower to clean off any sweat or bacteria on your body. This will help reduce the amount of bacteria in the water, which can cause an infection in your eyes.
5. Avoid rubbing your eyes
If you feel itching or burning in your eyes while taking a shower, avoid rubbing them. Rubbing your eyes can transfer bacteria and irritants from your hands to your eyes, increasing your risk of infection.
Seek medical attention for eye problems after swimming
If you experience any signs of eye irritation or infection, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms may include redness, itching, discharge, or blurred vision. Delaying treatment can result in serious eye damage or even permanent vision loss.
Finally, it’s important to take care of your eyes while swimming in the summer to prevent eye irritation and infection. By following these tips, you can enjoy summer swimming without compromising the health of your eyes. So, raise your glasses and let’s make a splash!
