Summertime in North Carolina and Virginia offers plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the sun. One of area residents’ favorite activities is swimming. When swimming in a lake, river, ocean or a man-made pool, you need to protect your eyes. Most people do not realize the dangers involved in swimming. So, below we offer some eye safety tips to keep your eyes healthy and seeing clearly.

If you notice any signs of eye health or vision problems, see your eye care specialist at Clarity Vision as soon as possible. With locations in North Carolina and Virginia, we make seeing an eye doctor convenient. Our locations include:

• Smithfield, NC

• Apex, NC

• Williamston, NC

• Clayton, NC

• Holly Springs, NC

• Suffolk, VA

Also remember that going back to school means getting involved in organized sports programs. Many programs offer swimming. If you expect your young person to pursue swimming as a sports activity, they need to understand the importance of eye safety well beyond summer fun. 
 

Water-Bourne Eye Irritants

Public pools are notorious for high chemical content in their water. These high-traffic swimming venues must work hard to keep their water clean. Sometimes, they go overboard in this effort and put you at risk for eye safety. 

If you feel your eyes stinging or burning after swimming in a public pool, you have some familiarity with chloramine. Chloramine is the chemical reaction caused by contact between chlorine used to clean the pool and natural contaminants like oils, dirt and urine. Of course, public pools need chlorine to keep the water safe from harmful bacteria. But you experience the chlorine at work, when your come up for air and feel your eyes burning. This eye irritation is only temporary, but certainly feels uncomfortable. 
 

Eye Safety for Swimming

Wearing goggles is an important step toward eye safety when swimming. This inexpensive eyewear found anywhere pool floats and toys are sold protect your eyes from the chloramine sting. They also make swimming more fun, helping you see better underwater.

A good pair of goggles fits snugly over the skin around your eyes to form a water-tight seal and keep bacteria and stinging chlorine from causing irritation. Another option is to see your eye care specialist for a pair of prescription goggles. These replace your contacts or glasses while engaging in water sports, so you can enjoy 20/20 vision all summer long. 

For eye safety, do not wear your contact lenses with swimming goggles. This puts your eyes at risk for infiltration of microorganisms found in most water. One microorganism in particular, acanthamoeba keratitis, damages the cornea and can cause permanent blindness. Contacts can also fall out or shrink and tighten around your cornea while swimming. Obviously, these are great reasons for investing in a pair of prescription swimming goggles.
 

Eye Exams and Eye Safety in NC and VA

When you experience any eye safety or eye health concerns, call your nearest Clarity Vision Eye Care Center. Our eye care specialists provide eye exams and treatment for a wide range of conditions. They also have options for protective eyewear, such as swimming goggles. With a little preparation, you can see clearly above water and beneath it.