POOL OF KNOWLEDGE: EDUCATE PARENTS ON SWIMMING AND EYE SAFETY
The Wisconsin Optometric Association offers tips for parents to safeguard their little swimmer’s sight.
MADISON, Wis. – With the start of summer, many local public pools and swimming parks will reopen. This is the perfect time to remind swimmers about eye safety.
According to Dr. Andrew Nahas, President of the WOA, “There are several types of bacteria and other microorganisms in pool water, especially public pools, which can cause eye irritation or, in some cases, serious sight-threatening infections.”
May 27 - 31, 2024, was designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, aiming to raise public awareness of how to stay healthy and safe in the water. Dr. Nahas explains, "As summer begins, we see more patients – particularly children – with irritated eyes from swimming due to pool chemicals.” Whether they are dealing with red, irritated eyes or seeking advice on wearing contact lenses in the water, patients turn to Doctors of Optometry for guidance on safe swimming practices.
A CDC report published in May 2018 in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report noted approximately 500 disease outbreaks in treated recreational water from 2001 to 2014, resulting in over 27,200 cases of infection and eight deaths in 46 states and Puerto Rico. Most outbreaks (94 percent) were caused by pathogens, while chemicals in the water were linked to the remaining outbreaks. The majority of outbreaks occurred in hotels (32 percent), followed by community/municipal/public parks (23 percent), club/recreational facilities (14 percent), and water parks (11 percent).
Dr. Nahas advises his patients that even with good disinfection systems, pools and hot tubs still harbor bacteria that can adhere to contact lenses and cause infections.
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Edward Bennett, O.D., M.S. Ed., past chair of the American Optometric Association’s Contact Lens and Cornea Section (CLCS), notes that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that contact lenses not be exposed to any form of water, including swimming pools, wells, showers, or kitchen taps. "There are many types of bacteria and microorganisms in pool water. If the eye is already irritated, these org
anisms can cause serious sight-threatening
infections, such as corneal ulcers," says Dr. Bennett. "Although rare, the most severe infection is 'Acanthamoeba keratitis,' which may require a corneal transplant. These organisms can attach to contact lenses, increasing the risk of infection. Symptoms include red, painful eyes and blurred vision. Immediate treatment from an eye care doctor is essential."
Doctors of Optometry recommend:
- Removing contact lenses before swimming, showering, or using a hot tub.
- Using watertight goggles if contact lenses must be worn in water.
- Disposing of contact lenses immediately if they are exposed to water.
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