Can You Wear Glasses in the Pool?The Dos and Don'ts of Swimming with Glasses
Ah, warmer weather means long summer days spent poolside. However, your relaxing trip to the pool can turn salty if you don’t come prepared with the proper eyewear. Hanging by the pool usually means exposure to pool chemicals, salt water or sunscreen—all of which can damage your glasses if you’re not careful. So, can you wear glasses in the pool at all? The eye care experts at Visionworks explain the dos and don’ts of wearing glasses in the pool so you can stop worrying about your frames and dive into some summer fun. As an added bonus, we also share our rules for swimming with contacts (and you’ll want to pay attention)!
Can You Swim with Glasses?
Glasses in Chlorine Pools
Can you wear glasses in a freshwater (chlorine) pool? If you plan to put your head under water, it’s best to take your glasses off before swimming. It’s okay to lounge around in the pool with your glasses on, even if you get splashed a bit. However, pool chemicals can leave residue on your lenses and frames, so cleaning them right after hopping out of the water is a good idea. If you’re worried about glasses falling off in the pool, get a stylish eyeglass strap to hold them around your neck.
Glasses in Saltwater Pools and the Ocean
Exposure to salt water in pools or the ocean is damaging to your glasses. Salt water can corrode metal frames with prolonged exposure. Additionally, it can damage your lens coatings. When salt water dries, it leaves behind tiny salt particles on your glasses, which can scratch your lenses and degrade blue light, light-reactive and anti-glare coatings. Therefore, it is best to avoid wearing glasses in saltwater pools and the ocean altogether. However, if you forget and accidentally wear your glasses in salt water, be sure to thoroughly rinse them with fresh water before wiping the lenses to avoid scraping debris across the surface.
Different Eyewear for Different Pool Activities
Consider the type of pool day you’ll be enjoying. Will you be swimming laps or simply dipping your feet in the water? If you plan to spend the day floating or relaxing on the tanning ledge, wear high-quality sunglasses or light-reactive lenses to protect your eyes from damaging UV rays. If you plan to swim laps or make a splash with a few cannonball jumps, it’s best to wear goggles, which can be made in your prescription if needed. Glasses won’t protect your eyes from irritating chemicals and bacteria in the water, but goggles give you better visual clarity and the protection you need to ace your freestyle stroke. Additionally, goggles have a secure fit. So, you don’t have to worry about losing them at the bottom of the pool like glasses.
Can You Swim with Contact Lenses?
Wondering whether you can swim with contact lenses? The short answer is—no! Swimming with contacts is not a safe alternative to wearing glasses or goggles at the pool. You should always avoid exposing your contacts to any type of water, including pools, hot tubs, oceans, lakes—even showers. Swimming with contacts can result in severe eye infections and even vision-threatening conditions like corneal ulcers. All water contains bacteria that can attach to your contacts and sit on the surface of your eyes. Always immediately remove contacts after water exposure and thoroughly clean them or replace them with a new pair.
The Dos and Don’ts of Swimming with Glasses
At Visionworks, we’re on a mission to simplify eye care. Here is our easy list of dos and don’ts for swimming with glasses.
Dos
- Wear goggles when planning to swim laps or spend the day splashing in the pool to protect your eyes from irritants and bacteria.
- Wear high-quality sunglasses or light-reactive lenses to protect your eyes from damaging UV rays when lounging poolside.
- Put your glasses in a case if you take them off poolside to protect them from splashes and scratches.
- Clean your glasses right after getting out of the water, thoroughly rinsing them off before wiping them.
- Allow sunscreen to dry before putting your glasses back on—and thoroughly clean off any residue that gets on nose pads and frames.
- Wear an eyeglass strap to prevent glasses from falling to the bottom of the pool.
Don'ts
- Wear glasses in saltwater pools, as they can corrode and scratch.
- Dive or swim underwater with glasses, because they can fall off and won’t protect your eyes from chemicals and bacteria.
- Swim with contacts or expose them to water, because they can harbor bacteria and lead to eye infections and irritation.
- Forget to clean your glasses thoroughly after spending the day at the pool to ensure they’re free from lingering grime.
- Forget to wear sunglasses when lounging poolside to protect your eyes from UV rays.
- Put glasses on before your sunscreen has dried, as they can slip and collect residue.
Find Your Perfect Pair of Poolside Frames at Visionworks
At Visionworks, we want to provide information you can use, including to help you have the perfect pool day. Remember, wear sunglasses when lounging poolside and goggles when diving into the water. No matter how careful you are at the pool, accidents happen. So, it pays to have a backup pair of glasses. Visit a Visionworks store near you to find the perfect poolside frames, get fitted for prescription goggles and talk to your eye doctor about summer eye safety. With our help, you’ll have everything you need to enjoy a crystal-clear day at the pool!
Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
