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Re:Vision Advises on Taking Care of Your Eyes When Swimming

Wednesday 4 December 2019, 1:42PM

By Beckie Wright

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Whether you enjoy a leisurely dip in a hotel pool or compete in the Olympic 200 meter freestyle, you may be familiar with the stinging, burning and redness of ‘swimmer’s eye.’ While swimming is a great form of exercise and a relaxing way to cool down, it can be hard on your eyes.

A thin layer of tears called the tear film coats the surface of our eyes, and this tear film keeps our eyes moist, smooth and clear. Chlorine and other chemicals used to keep pool water clean can wash away the moist layer of tear film, leaving eyes uncomfortable and red.

People who swim frequently may develop dry eye, where they don’t produce enough tears or the right quality of tears. It can feel like they have grit in their eyes, or their vision becomes blurry. Without the protection of a fully functioning tear film, eyes are exposed to harmful pool chemicals and lingering bacteria. Chlorine itself can cause a reaction, leaving the surface and edges of your eyes red, itchy, watery and uncomfortable, and bacteria that survive the chlorine can lead to an eye infection, such as pink eye (conjunctivitis).

Re:Vision have some tips on how to keep your eyes healthy while swimming this summer, starting with wearing goggles every time you swim. And then, immediately after your swim, make sure to wash your closed eyes with fresh water. They also recommend using eye drops or gel tears, and staying well hydrated.

When swimming, they say you shouldn’t wear your contacts. You can get prescription swimming goggles to help keep your vision clear and eyes healthy in the pool, so talk with your eye care provider for more information about the different kinds of swim goggles available.

Re:Vision wish everyone a very happy festive season and safe swimming, and for more information on pterygium eye surgery, cataract surgery cost and lasik eye surgery please go to https://www.revision.nz/ .