Warmer months welcome one commonly enjoyed activity for families and individuals everywhere: swimming. But regardless of its advantages, swimming can come with some unwelcome downsides, including eye burning, redness, and cloudy vision. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or enjoy an occasional dip in the water, you’ve likely asked: why are my eyes foggy after swimming?
Fortunately, you can reduce eye irritation without giving up your favorite summer activity. That said, let’s dive into how to keep your eyes haze-free after swimming.
Swimmer’s Eye: Eye Irritation After Swimming
Let’s face it: eyes are designed for land. That famous sting as you leave the pool is a condition called “swimmer’s eye,” which is the disruption of the tear film that protects our eyes from foreign substances and keeps them lubricated. Swimmer’s eye symptoms include redness, irritation, blurred or foggy vision, burning, swollen eyelids, and watery eyes.
Causes of Eye Irritation While Swimming: Chlorine and Other Factors
Most pools are cleaned with a widely recognized chemical called “chlorine,” a strong disinfecting agent in plenty of cleaning products like household bleach. Chlorine sanitizes pools by killing most harmful microorganisms in the water. Coming in contact with chemicals like chlorine can damage the layers of our eyes that protect the cornea and wash out any natural oils, leading to redness and eye irritation after swimming.
Believe it or not, chlorine isn’t the only factor causing eye issues for swimmers. As a chemical, chlorine can bind with other elements, including sweat and urine, that swimmers might bring to swimming pools. When chlorine mixes with other components, it’s known as a chloramine–a chemical irritant. These compounds can cause significant eye irritation.
Although chlorine does its job and keeps most pools free from bacteria and viruses, it might not shield all harmful microorganisms potentially floating alongside us. With more bacteria in the water, it’s more likely to catch an eye infection if the proper precautions aren’t taken.
How Long Does Swimmer’s Eye Last?
If you’re suffering from eye irritation and hazy vision after swimming, you’re likely wondering how long swimmer’s eye can last.
For most, blurry vision after swimming in chlorine will likely clear up within a few hours after stepping out of the pool. However, it is possible for eye irritation to last for up to 24 hours after swimming. If you’re concerned about foggy vision post-swim or facing symptoms for much longer, it’s best to contact your doctor.
Relieving Swimmer’s Eye: How to Get Rid of Blurry Eyes After Swimming
While swimmer’s eye will likely take care of itself without any treatment, there are a few things you can do to ease any eye discomfort so you can jump back into the pool sooner rather than later.
- Invest in some eye drops
Artificial tears or over-the-counter eye drops can do wonders for eye irritation after swimming. Since a large contributor to swimmer’s eye is dryness, proper eye lubrication before and after swimming can be significantly helpful in soothing irritation.
- Try Compresses
Cold and warm compresses can be invaluable in soothing eye irritation and offering relief. Using a wet cloth and alternating between cold and warm water can also help reduce inflammation.
- Flush Your Eyes
Rinsing your eyes with water can aid in removing any leftover chemicals in and around your eyes and prevent any further irritation.
Steps to Relieve Eye Irritation Immediately Post-Swim
When in need of a quick treatment, here are some options for immediate eye relief post-swim:
- Remove contact lenses immediately as they can further irritation
- Immediately rinse your eyes with cool, fresh water for at least 30 seconds to remove any remaining chemicals
- Use a sterile eye wash and/or eye drops to help rinse and lubricate your eyes, heal any damage, and reduce inflammation
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes
- Allow your eyes to rest, including time away from screens
Preventing Swimmer’s Eye: How to Avoid Cloudy Vision After Swimming
Fortunately, eye irritation and foggy vision after swimming don’t have to be inevitable. Here are some strategies to prevent swimmer’s eye after dipping in the pool.
Remove Your Contacts
Contacts should be avoided as much as possible while swimming as wearing them in any water can expose your eyes to bacteria that can lead to eye infections and even sight-threatening conditions.
Go for the Goggles
On top of the ability to see underwater, goggles give you a leg-up in ensuring your eyes stay protected from any chemicals and other foreign substances found in water. Choose a pair of goggles that fit snugly around your eyes to prevent leakage.
Eye irritation can be largely avoided by swimming in salt water rather than chlorinated swimming pools. Saltwater is considered a more natural option for swimming and doesn’t rely on any harsh chemicals to clean, making it safer for your skin and eyes.
Bottom Line
Managing eye irritation after swimming is possible and can be avoided altogether. By wearing goggles, properly rinsing your eyes, opting for saltwater swims, and relying on drops, swimming can always be a comfortable and pleasant experience.
Eye Health and Swimming: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best eye drops for after swimming?
There are various brands of eye drops available over the counter; any lubricating artificial tears will work. Some of the most popular brands include Blink, Refresh, and Systane.
How can I get chlorine out of my eyes?
The most effective and quickest way to remove chlorine from your eyes is to flush them with fresh water for 30 seconds. Holding your eyelids open can aid in flushing your eyes out. You can also use an eye wash to rinse them.
Can swimming cause eye infections?
Swimming in any form of water can result in eye infections if your eyes come in contact with any contaminants or contagious bacteria or viruses. Common eye infections from swimming include conjunctivitis (pink eye) and bacterial eye infections.
Is it okay to open my eyes underwater?
Although it is generally fine to open your eyes underwater, most medical professionals advise against it as it can lead to eye irritation and can affect your eyes and vision.
Can you go blind from chlorine in your eyes?
While it can lead to temporary vision distortion, chlorine alone coming in contact with your eyes is unlikely to lead to permanent blindness.
