Strategies for Avoiding Chlorine in Your Eyes during Summertime
Having a blast at the pool during summer can be a total blast, but if chlorine leaves your peepers feeling like they've been dipped in acid, you might start to view pool time as more of a punishment than a pleasure.
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So what gives here? Ophthalmologist Craig See, MD breaks it down: when chlorine hits your eyes, it can bring on a condition called swimmer's eye, or chemical conjunctivitis. Symptoms include:
- Red, sore, bitchin' eyes
- Itching, burning, and stinging like hell
- Cloudy vision
- Dry, irritated eyes
- Swelling and inflammation
But guess what? Chlorine ain't the only culprit here. It's one of several chemicals used to rid those pools of germs and bacteria. And when these chemicals interact with the acid-base balance of the pool (or what we like to call the pH), the irritation can ramp up. So yeah, it's important to ensure your pool technician is regularly checking and balancing the pool's chemistry.
Now here's where it gets tricky: when pool water has a lower salt concentration than our own tears, our cells start to suck up that pool water, causing 'em to swell up like a bloated toad. That's why using saline solution is a lifesaver when it comes to rinsing out our peepers or storing our contact lenses.
So what's the deal with swimmer's eye? Its root cause is a combo of chemical conjunctivitis, dry eyes, and swollen corneas. And don't forget about those recreational waterborne illnesses that can strike if you decide to go swimming in fresh water. These infections can wreak havoc on your peepers if you're not careful.
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If your eyes are red, sore, and crying for help after a swim, here's what you can do to treat the pain:
- Take a nice, long shower to rinse off the chlorine
- Rinse your eyes with plain, chlorine-free water
- Apply a cold compress to your eyes
- Flush your eyes with a sterile eye wash if it helps
- Reach for preservative-free, lubricating eye drops to combat dryness and discomfort
If things don't start to improve, it's time to make an appointment with an eye care pro.
So how long does swimmer's eye usually last? In most cases, it clears up within a couple hours. If you've got persistent issues, especially if you already suffer from the grittiness of dry eyes, it might linger for a day or two. If your home remedies aren't working after a couple days, see a primary care doc.
Want to avoid swimmer's eye altogether? Here's how to do it:
- Keep those peepers closed when you're underwater, unless you've got protective goggles on
- Ditch the contacts when you're swimming—they can trap chlorine and bacteria, causing more irritation
- Rinse your face and hands with clean water right after swimming
- Apply lubricating eye drops before or after swimming if you're prone to dry eyes
Remember: keeping those peepers healthy is important at any age. If you take the time to take care of your eyes, swimming underwater can be one of life's simple pleasures.
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- Maintaining proper health-and-wellness practices can help prevent swimmer's eye, a condition caused by chemicals like chlorine used in pools.
- Regularly applying lubricating eye drops can combat the dryness and discomfort associated with swimming, especially for individuals who are prone to dry eyes.
- Proper nutrition, including a balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals, can support overall eye health and potentially protect against certain recreational waterborne illnesses.
