Swimming with Contacts in Lake Houston: The Hidden Infection Risks & Safe Alternatives

Swimming in Lake Houston is a popular way to cool off, exercise, and enjoy the outdoors. However, contact lens wearers should take extra precautions before entering the water. Swimming with contacts can expose the eyes to microorganisms that may cause irritation, corneal damage, or a serious eye infection.

Why Water and Contact Lenses Do Not Mix

Contact lenses are designed to sit directly on the cornea. When exposed to lake water, soft lenses may absorb water, change shape, swell, or stick more tightly to the eye. This can cause discomfort and create small scratches that make it easier for germs to enter the cornea.

Lake water is not sterile. It can contain bacteria, fungi, and microscopic organisms that become trapped between a contact lens and the eye. Even clear-looking water may contain microorganisms capable of causing an infection.

The Risk of Acanthamoeba Keratitis

One of the most concerning contact lens infection risks is Acanthamoeba keratitis. Acanthamoeba is a microscopic organism found in lakes, tap water, soil, and other environments. Wearing contact lenses while swimming increases the chance of this organism reaching the cornea.

Although uncommon, Acanthamoeba keratitis can cause severe pain, redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and excessive tearing. It can be difficult to treat and may lead to permanent vision loss in serious cases.

Daily Disposable Contacts Are Not Waterproof

Some swimmers assume daily disposable contact lenses are safe because they can be thrown away afterward. While disposing of wet lenses is safer than continuing to wear them, daily contacts still expose the cornea to contaminated water during swimming. The FDA recommends removing contact lenses before swimming in lakes, pools, hot tubs, and oceans because each environment carries a risk of eye infection.

Safer Ways to See Clearly While Swimming

Contact lens wearers near Lake Houston have several safer options:

•          Use prescription swim goggles that provide clear vision without contact lenses

•          Wear regular glasses before and after swimming

•          Remove contacts before entering the lake and insert a fresh pair after drying off

•          Keep clean hands, contact lens solution, a storage case, and backup glasses nearby

•          Remove lenses immediately if water reaches the eyes

If reusable contacts are exposed to water, remove them as soon as possible and clean and disinfect them overnight before wearing them again. Disposable lenses should be thrown away.

When to Contact an Eye Doctor

Remove your contact lenses and contact an eye doctor promptly if you experience eye pain, unusual redness, blurred vision, discharge, excessive tearing, swelling, or sensitivity to light after swimming. Contact lens infections can progress quickly, so symptoms should not be ignored.

Schedule a contact lens exam with Texas State Optical Kingwood to discuss safe vision options for swimming and other summer activities. Contact our office in Kingwood, Texas, by calling (346) 466-4600 to book an appointment today.