Swimming with contact lenses

GlasweJen

I don't understand how tap water doesn't equal in the shower? It's the same stuff!

terra_ferma

GlasweJen wrote: »

The advice from the college of optometrists is no water period. They also scrapped the advice of cleaning contact lens cases with boiling water after a few infections were caused by not airing the case and that's why a lot of opticians give contact lens wearers silver lined cases that don't need sterilised.

The infections I've seen were Acanthomeba keratitis but I've seen some pretty nasty non contact lens related infections too - most worrisome one was an STI that she'd contracted working at a sexual health clinic, she washes her hands better now.

As for my "shouldn't be wearing contact lenses" I do refuse to prescribe lenses to people with persistent non-compliance issues, covers me from being sued.

The information out there is contradictory, according to the NHS.
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Eyehealth/Pages/Contactlenssafety.aspx

The College of Optometrists offers this advice on how to use contact lenses safely.
...................

• never wear your lenses while you're having a shower or going swimming (unless you use goggles)

Page last reviewed: 25/06/2014

while in fact:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.college-optometrists.org%2Fdownload.cfm%2Fdocid%2F8A0A543B-B5B2-48B8-829BC32E34CF8FAA&ei=h-zIU_6JNoat0QX5sYDgBA&usg=AFQjCNFM_otvdenQE1iwJ8d45VOX5kXXGg&bvm=bv.71198958,d.d2k

Contact lens wearers should not swim in their contact lenses and should always remove their
lenses before showering or using a hot tub. If you are a contact lens or spectacle wearer, it is
particularly important to invest in prescription goggle lenses microorganisms in the water may
attach themselves to the lens and cause an infection in your eye. This can be extremely painful
and in severe cases could blind you.

PS nothing personal, I always double check sources of information posted anonymously on online forums

terra_ferma

GlasweJen wrote: »

I don't understand how tap water doesn't equal in the shower? It's the same stuff!

You shouldn't shower wearing contact lenses

terra_ferma

Final note from me, my daughter has decided not too go swimming after all, too much fuss involved. She'll stick with the gym for now, and look for something else not involving water.
Although the fact that the pool that she was going too use is full of children and hardly any adults (and we all know what children do in the water ) might have swerved her decision...

GlasweJen

The guidance in Scotland is different again and that's frustrating, another thing that does my head in is GPs who tell people it's fine to swim/shower etc and then refer said person to us when they get a giant ulcer.

I know you shouldn't shower in lenses - that's my point! People come in and mention losing a lens in the shower and you ask why they were showering in lenses when their notes show they've been told not to expose them to tap water and the person just looks at you and says "they've not been near tap water".

Thankfully I can fob most contact lens work off on my pre-reg, I used to love lenses but the national average IQ seems to have dropped.

theoretica

I have found it quite interesting to look up contact lenses and water polo as players are not permitted to wear goggles.

nedmundo

I would imagine they would need a totally different type of lens - a haptic, which is made of perspex and covers the whole eye. They would be less prone to picking up bugs as long as they are removed and sterilised straight away.

Bargain_Bette

I have been swimming with contacts for years and never had a problem yet (touch wood).

nedmundo

Bargain_Bette wrote: »

I have been swimming with contacts for years and never had a problem yet (touch wood).

Meanwhile, on another thread.........

Bargain_Bette wrote: »

I had an eye infection and couldnt wear contacts for ages. Once i gave my eyes a rest from contacts for a while (2 months) then it was fine again. I try to only wear contacts now if wearing glasses would be annoying, such as playing sport. I haven't had any issues since.

Coincidence?

Yesha_P.

terra_ferma wrote: »

Although the fact that the pool that she was going too use is full of children and hardly any adults (and we all know what children do in the water ) might have swerved her decision...

Oh yes that is so true! LOL One should never open one's eyes underwater, especially in a joint adult-kids pool. With or without contacts.