Contact lenses are an integral part of the lives of people who have vision problems. Today they are worn by over 120 million people around the world. Lenses are a fragile type of optics and one of the most popular methods of vision correction. Thanks to them, a person begins to see better, gets the opportunity to live a full life, play sports and always be on the move. This is much more convenient than wearing glasses, which not everyone likes.
People who have worn contact lenses for a long time are very familiar with the daily process of removing them before going to bed. However, not everyone knows that they also need to be removed during evening swimming.
An optometrist (a specialist who selects vision correction products) explained why it is so important to remove disposable lenses before going to bed and what serious consequences this can lead to.
Is it possible to shower with contact lenses?
The specialist answered this question with a categorical “no”. Showering while wearing contact lenses is not recommended. “One of the main reasons is that water (even the smallest amount) inevitably gets into our eyes, no matter how hard we try to prevent it,” the doctor explained.
The fact is that bacteria accumulated on the surface of lenses can cause various diseases that result in either partial or complete loss of vision.
Not to mention, unfiltered shower water can contain harmful bacteria and chemicals. “Such water may contain minerals, various chemical elements, impurities and even microorganisms that are absorbed by the contact lens material,” said the ophthalmologist. “This reduces the effectiveness and durability of the lenses, and also reduces the quality of vision. It's important to note that showering with contact lenses can provide direct exposure to harmful pathogens from the water, sometimes leading to infections."
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Is it possible to swim with lenses in a pool or sauna?
Ophthalmologists do not recommend using lenses when swimming, anywhere. However, their use in the pool is not strictly prohibited, since this device protects the corneas of the eye from the aggressive effects of water, which contains a disinfectant in significant concentrations (for example, chlorine).
Unfavorable factors in the pool:
- Water containing disinfectants. On the one hand, the lens protects the eye from its effects, and on the other, like a sponge, it absorbs the chemical. Even after bathing, the eye will be exposed to chlorine that has accumulated in the material of the device;
- Microbes. Even in the pool there are microbes, since there are forms that are resistant to various disinfectants. The consequence is bacterial inflammation;
- Lost lens. It can be washed off with water.
You should not wear lenses in the bathhouse. They are exposed to high temperatures, which causes their deformation. There is a high probability of injury to the mucous membrane and cornea. Also, in a warm environment, bacteria begin to multiply faster.
What happens to contact lenses in the shower?
When showering, people usually close their eyelids to prevent water from getting into their eyes. According to the optometrist, this action only deprives the contact lenses of essential oxygen.
“The effort we put into keeping our eyes tightly closed in an attempt to retain water will put some pressure on the eye and lens,” the optometrist explained. “By squeezing our eyelids tightly, we deprive our lenses of oxygen, causing them to become dry and harmful to our eyes.”
Is it possible to wear makeup and wash your face with lenses?
Applying makeup without removing your lenses is strictly prohibited. Ophthalmologists and cosmetologists recommend that the fair sex wear makeup only after this type of optics is placed in the eyes. If you violate this order and start applying makeup before inserting lenses, the risk of particles of cosmetics getting on the surface of the optical device increases. The result can be the accelerated formation of lipid deposits, causing discomfort, blurred vision, and rendering the optics unusable.
Before removing makeup and washing your face, your lenses should also be removed. This will protect them from damage and help prevent items from falling out or being washed out.
What are the long-term effects of showering with contacts?
Symptoms may be mild at first, so you may not even realize they are caused by showering with your lenses on. For example, inflammation or irritation of the mucous membrane of the eyes may make itself felt. However, most problems can be solved simply by following some instructions, such as making sure to remove your contact lenses before showering.
According to your eye doctor, constantly wearing lenses in the shower can cause dry eyes, blurred vision, discomfort, burning, tearing and redness. The most serious thing that can happen is infection. In this case, a person will need careful treatment and medical supervision. In the worst case, the patient may lose his vision completely, and only surgery will help him.
Opinions of ophthalmologists about bathing in different conditions
Most ophthalmologists consider swimming in lenses as an undesirable activity that can harm optical devices and worsen their quality characteristics. In addition, water procedures can lead to inflammation or irritation of the mucous membrane of the eyes, and deterioration of visual function.
Natural fresh water bodies
In terms of the degree of danger, swimming in fresh water occupies a leading position. This feature is associated with an increased concentration of pathogenic microorganisms in non-salty water bodies. For many bacteria and viruses, lakes, ponds, and rivers provide an ideal breeding ground.
The concentration of harmful microbes in fresh water is much higher than in salt water. In such reservoirs there is a dangerous bacterium Acanthamoeba (Acanthamoeba), which affects the cornea of the eye, causing acanthamoeba keratitis. Such a disease is fraught with a sharp deterioration in visual perception and even the onset of blindness.
If pathogenic microbes from fresh water settle between the optical product and the mucous membrane of the eye, the pathology will manifest itself with the following symptoms:
- the appearance of purulent masses;
- painful sensations;
- inflammation;
- formation of crusts on the eyelids;
- redness of capillaries;
- sensation of small objects getting into the eye;
- swelling of the eyelids;
- visual impairment.
If swimming is still planned, using special goggles for swimming helps reduce the risk of bacterial infection. After leaving the pond, it is worth introducing drops of antibiotics (Levomycetin, Tsipromed) into the organs of vision.
Bath or shower
Taking a bath or shower while wearing lenses can cause unpleasant consequences for the eyes or damage fragile optics. If detergents accidentally come into contact with the surface of the lenses, they may be damaged. Under the influence of a water jet, transparent plates can be washed out of the organs of vision, after which it will be quite problematic to detect them.
Curtains in the bathroom pose a significant danger, as pathogenic microorganisms thrive on them. During hygiene procedures, microbes can penetrate the eye area and begin to multiply on the surface of corrective optics.
Swimming with lenses in the bath or shower is primarily dangerous due to the development of acanthamoeba keratitis, a severe infectious pathology that causes inflammation and swelling of the cornea and severe redness of the eyeballs. The disease is difficult to treat even with the use of strong antibiotics and may require complex surgery.
Pool
While swimming in the pool, the following negative factors are present:
- Negative effects on the mucous membranes of the eyes and contact lenses of disinfectants (bleach) used to purify water from harmful microbes.
- The likelihood of infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which has increased resistance to disinfectants.
- Possibility of losing optical products.
To protect your vision, ophthalmologists recommend wearing one-day lenses when going to the pool, which can then be immediately disposed of. Colored contact products that have low oxygen permeability and are more durable and durable can also be used. When using standard optical devices, it is better to swim with special glasses.
Swimming in the sea
Despite the fact that the likelihood of contracting an infection in the sea is much lower than while staying in fresh water, it is recommended to avoid swimming with lenses. This ban is associated with the likelihood of deformation or damage to optical products. This can happen when particles of silt or small grains of sand get into the gap between the lens and the mucous membrane of the eye. In addition, there is an increased risk of losing lenses under the pressure of sea waves.
Experts say that the presence of salt in water does not completely exclude the possibility of infection of the organs of vision. The contact of pathogenic microflora on the surface of the lenses and its further development are fraught with the development of conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye conjunctiva), keratitis (inflammation of the cornea). In particularly severe cases, significant deterioration or complete loss of vision may occur.
To avoid unwanted problems while on vacation at sea, you should take the recommendations of doctors. As in the case of a swimming pool, wearing daily contact lenses or using swimming goggles will help protect your visual apparatus.
The danger of fresh water bodies
Also, you should not forget about this when you go swimming in public places. According to the doctor, fresh water bodies contain much more harmful bacteria than salt water bodies. For most bacteria, lakes, ponds and rivers provide an ideal habitat. It is in such places that there is a high probability of encountering a dangerous microorganism, Acanthamoeba, which affects the cornea of the eye and causes such a dangerous disease as acanthamoeba keratitis. It is characterized by a sharp deterioration in vision and severe pain in the eyes.
Experts explain the dangers of showering with contact lenses
Experts explain why you should never shower with contact lenses.
This increases the chance of introducing a harmful microorganism called Acanthamoeba, which may be found in tap water. They say contact lenses
were invented by Leonardo da Vinci, who in 1508 created several drawings of early prototypes of these very useful devices that replace glasses.
Today, several million contact lenses
, and although they are safe and very effective for the vast majority of people, significant health risks arise when contact lenses are used improperly. These risks must always be remembered in order to prevent the development of dangerous diseases.
To begin with, you should always use the lens storage and cleaning solution recommended by an experienced optician or ophthalmologist. If this solution has expired, it should not be used as it may not be sterile, increasing the risk of eye irritation and bacterial infections. If you suffer from hay fever, you may find that wearing contact lenses reduces your symptoms. They serve as a kind of barrier that prevents pollen from entering the eyes. But if the symptoms of hay fever are too severe, it is better to wear glasses, since you will have to use eye drops several times a day, which requires constantly taking out the lenses and then putting them back in your eyes.
Under no circumstances should you swim with contact lenses or take a shower, no matter what advice your friends give you. There is a tiny organism, a type of amoeba, that lives in tap water and can end up behind contact lenses. Acanthamoeba causes dangerous infections that lead to eye injuries. These infections are extremely rare, but they are very difficult to treat and their victims are often left with disabilities. The sooner the doctor detects acanthamoeba and begins therapy, the higher the chances of success.
The length of continuous contact lens wear varies from person to person. With dry eyes, it can be as little as 4 hours, since the lenses absorb tears, but their new variety of soluble silicone hydrogel increases the access of oxygen to the cornea, so they can be worn for up to 16 hours at a time. Still, you shouldn’t overdo it; lenses should not be worn for more than 16 hours to reduce the risk of corneal neovascularization, in which this part of the eye is deprived of oxygen, which provokes the growth of blood vessels. You should also not sleep in lenses, as they prevent the access of oxygen to tears, which are sent to the cornea. (READ MORE)
How to avoid it
The good news is that all these risks can be significantly reduced if you take a responsible approach to your own health. The first step is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, remove your lenses and, using a contact lens solution, gently wipe them down and store them in a safe place to maintain hydration and minimize contamination when showering. By taking a little time to follow these steps, you can save not only your lenses, but also your vision.
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Opposite opinion
At the same time, regarding the question “is it possible to wear lenses in the pool”, there is another opinion. Numerous studies conducted by scientists have been unable to confirm the presence of a clinically dangerous amount of microorganisms that accumulate on the surface of correction products after swimming. In addition, some experts suggest that lenses in the pool, on the contrary, are necessary, as they can protect the visual organs of their owner. They prevent chloride compounds from entering the mucous membrane and can reduce the likelihood of damage to epithelial cells. Ophthalmologists recommend that patients buy one-day optical products or color ones. As is known, the latter, due to their low oxygen permeability, are more durable and rigid. It is also a good idea to order a sterile saline solution, which is ideal for washing the eyes.
In order to avoid problems, ophthalmologists advise removing contact lenses 20-30 minutes after leaving the water.
In their opinion, this is necessary so that the natural composition of the tear fluid and the original shape of the lenses have time to be restored. At the same time, it is recommended to use moisturizing drops, a wide range of which is presented in the online contact lens store Ochkov.Net.
How to protect yourself while swimming?
If you are planning a trip to the pool or to a pond, then do not forget to first visit
an ophthalmologist in Chelyabinsk , with whom you can discuss the risks and possible remedies associated with wearing lenses. At the same time, if you plan to swim in lenses, then you should choose:
- one-day models that can be changed immediately after swimming and getting wet;
- eye wash solution, which should be used after being in a body of water;
- swimming goggles that fit tightly to the eyes, protecting them from moisture, sand, and microorganisms.
An ophthalmologist may also suggest orthokeratal lenses, which help restore vision for a short period. By wearing such optics at night, you can refuse vision correction during the day, which will solve the problem of being on the beach.
Swimming in the sea
All of the above generally applies to swimming at sea.
If we are talking about swimming near the shore, then it is quite possible to swim with contact lenses, provided that leak-proof glasses or a mask are worn on top.
However, special care should be taken in the sea : if water does get into your eyes and the lens moves, then stopping and adjusting it will be extremely inconvenient: unlike a swimming pool, there will be no bottom under your feet, and there will be no wall of the pool next to which you can it would be to hold on.
Therefore, it is safer to swim where it is shallow or where there is a shore nearby.
From a safety point of view, I do not recommend longer and more serious swims in the sea wearing lenses.
In addition, be careful when swimming in waves: a strong wave, if not knocking your glasses off, can at least move them, as a result of which water can get inside.
How am I doing now?
As noted, more than five years have passed, I haven’t abandoned the pool, I continue to swim))
At the same time, I still swim with lenses on top of which I wear regular swimming goggles.
I can’t say that I’m campaigning for this, but it turned out that even simple swimming goggles are not easy to fit on my face.
I wrote a separate article about choosing glasses.
The most important thing about them (for all swimmers, including those with good eyesight) is that they do not leak during swimming , that is, that water does not get into them.
To do this, during fitting, they must stick to the face, that is, hold on even without putting the elastic band on the head:
Recently, I once again bought myself swimming goggles, and out of more than 10 models, only one (!) suited me.
Accordingly, for me personally, choosing such a model with diopters so that it does not leak is even more difficult - since their choice is much smaller, and even out of a dozen ordinary models, only one or two fit well on my face.
That's why I continue to swim like this. However, I fully admit that many readers will find it easier to choose glasses with diopters and avoid the inconveniences described below.
What to do if problems arise after swimming with lenses?
If you experience any redness, pain, irritation, sensitivity to light, unusual discharge, or blurred vision after swimming in your lenses, this could be a sign of an infection developing. If you have any of these symptoms, remove your contact lenses right away. If symptoms persist for several hours, contact your ophthalmologist immediately. Be sure to tell your doctor that your symptoms may be related to swimming in your lenses.
