can chlorine damage eyes??

[thishells73]

can anyone help?? I want to know if the chlorine they use in swimming pools can damage my 8yr old daughter's eyes.
She swims with a swimming club 6 nights a week and they advised me to buy goggles for her because of the amount of time in the water... But now she's back in school they start to go swimming with the school once a week But the swimming baths where she will be going say the children are not allowed to wear goggles unless they have a doctors note..i have explained that she wears they as advised by the swimming club BUT there having none of it...and my G.P looked at me as if i was pulling his leg when i asked him for a note saying the reasons why i think she should wear goggles. he told me to send her with the goggles and refused to give me a note.
can anyone help???? thanx

[Buenchico]

At the standard levels present in swimming pools, chlorine does not present any danger to eyes, within the true meaning of 'eyes'. i.e. there's no risk of damage to the surface of the eyeball or to the tissues inside the eye.

However, some people find that they suffer irritation and swelling to the upper and lower eyelids through contact with chlorine. (This is similar to the irritation and 'puffiness' experienced by many hay fever sufferers). Swimming clubs tend to 'play safe' with their rules (so that they don't get blamed for any such problems) but, for most leisure swimmers, goggles are probably totally unnecessary.

If there was any serious risk to eyes from chlorine, there would be representatives of firms like Claims Direct waiting outside every swimming pool in the country to find potential clients for lawsuits. You won't find them there, simply because chlorine (as used in swimming pools) is totally safe.

Chris

[sandmaster]

Goggles are recommended by clubs because of the irritation to the eyes that chlorine can cause over a prolonged period. However, clubs also teach beginners to learn to open their eyes under water without goggles, as part of confidence building. The one lesson a week with the school is unlikely to affect your daughter and you shouldn't worry. Just let her enjoy the lessons - being a club swimmer she will probably be one of the best there and this will boost her confidence!!

[Velvetee]

Actually, yes it can damage eyes, especially if you work with some of the lazy t wats I work with.

I work in the Fitness Industry and if the Lifeguards are off duty, it's the responsibility of the gym staff to check the pools have the correct levels of Chlorine. I know some of my lazy colleagues pretend they have done these tests, when they haven't, so the Chlorine levels are often too high.

Pools are fine, providing they are looked after properly.

[thishells73]

Thanks everyone for your comments.
my daughter did use to swim without goggles when she had 1 day a week lessons But just with the club saying the amount of swimming and too buy them.
Thanx again