Improper use of contact lenses can lead to anything from mild discomfort to infections and permanent eye damage, such as corneal scarring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With summer in full swing, there’s nothing more appealing than taking a dip outdoors. However, wearing contact lenses while swimming can pose a risk to eye health if the proper precautions are not taken. Exposure to seawater or pool water, combined with heat and dry environmental conditions, can lead to discomfort and even eye infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHigh salinity in seawater and the chemicals used in swimming pools, such as chlorine and algaecides, can irritate the eyes and reduce contact lens tolerance\u201d, explains Dr. Alberto Mui\u00f1os<\/a>, medical director at Miranza Cl\u00ednica Mui\u00f1os<\/a>. \u201cOn top of that, contact lenses are foreign bodies that rely on the eye\u2019s natural moisture to remain comfortable, so it\u2019s no surprise that eye discomfort tends to increase during the summer\u201d, he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most common mistakes is allowing contact lenses to come into contact with water. \u201cWater is the number one enemy of contact lenses. They should never be cleaned with tap water or any other type of water, only with dedicated contact lens solutions or sterile saline\u201d, the specialist emphasizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n