Heading To The Pool This Summer? 5 Ways To Protect Your Eyes In The Water
Splashing around in the swimming pool is an inherent part of summer for most Americans. But pool time can be hazardous to your delicate eyes. So, how can you keep safe and still have a good time in the water? Here are 5 easy ways.
Rinse Yourself Off
Rinsing off in the shower before and after swimming helps keep chemicals and beauty products out of the water. Things like lotions, cremes, hair conditioner, deodorants, and makeup all contain ingredients that will come off in the pool and mix with the chemicals already in the pool. These are bad for your body, your pool water, and your eyes. So get them off before you head in and once again as you leave the pool.
Wear Goggles
Pool, ocean, and lake water has chemicals and bacteria that could cause a lot of eye problems. Bacteria floating around in the water can cause contagious eye infections like pink eye (conjunctivitis), make your eyes itchy or irritate them for long after you leave the pool.
Wear Proper Sunglasses
If you're just wading around the pool or lounging beside the water, put on a pair of quality sunglasses to protect from all the extra reflected sunlight. Good sunglasses offer protection both for UV-A rays and UV-B rays and provide full coverage around your eyes.
Keep Eyes Moist
All that extra sunlight and the chemical-filled water at the pool can cause your eyes to become dry and irritated. Keep them lubricated with "artificial tears" eye drops during and after play time. And practice good blinking habits. It sounds strange to think about how much you blink, but using the natural lubricating system in your eyes is the easiest way to keep them healthier.
Ditch Your Contacts
Contacts are naturally fragile, so they can easily get irritated, torn, or dry during swim time. They can also harbor water-borne bacteria. If you can see well enough, just take them out before you head to the pool and put them back in after you've cleaned up completely. If you can't do without them, use goggles when you're actually in the water. If you're a regular swimmer, consider getting a pair of prescription goggles for pool play and/or prescription sunglasses to enjoy lounge time afterward.
Follow these few tips to keep your eyes healthy all summer long — so you can enjoy the fun both now and for years to come. For more suggestions geared toward your particular eye needs, talk with an eye doctor like those from http://www.josephdevenutojrmd.com.
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