swimming in contact lenses

[christy053]

hey i wear contact lenses and in 2 week am off to spain but my optition says i cant swim in them but i need them in so what do i do about swiimming in the pool ertc :) x x ta

[orangelady]

Hi Christy, I have worn goggles in the past. It seems to me to be the only solution as its no fun if you can't see.

[christy053]

yes i thouight about that but then u will haev pale marjks around ure eyes and look weird and what if they leak ?

[orangelady]

just put them on top of your head when you are splashing around and put them over your eyes when you have a swim. If they leak just come up and empty them and see if you can get a better suction seal by wetting them slightly.

[Octavius]

I always swim with my CLs in as I won't see where I am going otherwise.

Mostly I swim without goggles and just make sure that I don't open my eyes under water (obviously) or try not to get splashed.

Sometimes, when swimming for speed/exercise - even when scuba diving I just have a very good pair of goggles and get along just fine.

Is your optician trying to get you to buy prescription goggles...? You just have to use some common sense and be sensible. Keep a bottle of solution nearby just in case.

[mattoc66]

I wear contacts and cant swim whilst wearing them. The solution I found was to buy a pair of subscription sunglasses and wear them instead of the lenses. I know it dosnt help swimming in the pool or the sea but it saved all the hassle of having to take my lenses out everytime I went in the water.

[teag1rl]

I'm avid contact lens fan, but I just got me a pair of funky glasses I can actually wear infront of people, so wear glasses in day and you're eyes'll feel super fresh when you put lenses in to go out at night-otherwise I find em gritty by the time I'm going out in the evening and spend all night like blinky bill or having to whack drops in which heaven knows is no good if you're allergic to waterproof mascara as well.!
Or just wear your lenses in water anyway and be careful though it's not advised I've done this in past and I shouldn't recommend it x have a fab holiday!

[heathfield]

Two reasons behind your optician's advice...1) If you open your eyes underwater, the lenses can be easily washed off and you'll lose them...2) If you get any bacteria behind them from the water, and you carry on wearing them, you risk getting an eye infection.
Personally, I have to wear glasses, but love snorkelling on holiday. So I got a supply of 'Dailies' to wear with my dive mask. Wonderful! Everything's in focus, and if I lose one in the water, it doen's matter too much.

[heathfield]

Should have added a word of caution...I've found that these 'Dailies' will absorb the chlorine from a swimming pool and can make your eyes quite sore even after you've come out of the water.

[christy053]

so if i wear dailies in the pool and swim in them and take them out the second i leqave the pool will that be ok ?