Can I Swim with Scleral Lenses? Safety Rules for Pools, Oceans, and Hot Tubs

Ah, the enchanting siren call of the water. Whether it is the rhythmic lapping of the Pacific Ocean against the sun-drenched shores of Newport Beach, the crisp, chlorinated embrace of a pristine lap pool, or the bubbling, steamy allure of a midnight hot tub, aquatic adventures are an undeniable cornerstone of the good life. For those of you who have been gifted the visual miracle of scleral lenses, you already know the profound joy of seeing the world in breathtaking high definition. These magnificent, bespoke domes of optical engineering vault delicately over your cornea, providing unparalleled comfort and crystalline sight to those with complex visual needs. Naturally, as you pack your beach bag, you might wonder if these trusty companions can accompany you on your aquatic escapades. The short, rather unromantic answer is a gentle but firm cautionary tale.

Water, in all its majestic and refreshing forms, is secretly teeming with microscopic life. While this invisible biodiversity is excellent for the planet, it is quite disastrous for your precious eyes. Rivers, oceans, lakes, and even the most meticulously maintained swimming pools and hot tubs harbor a rather unsavory cast of microscopic characters. The most notorious villain among them is Acanthamoeba, a tiny, free-living amoeba that fancies the human cornea as a delightful place to set up camp. When you are wearing any contact lenses, swimming is already a risky endeavor. But when you introduce scleral lenses to the mix, the stakes are elevated to a rather dramatic degree.

You see, the very design that makes scleral lenses so miraculously comfortable—their ability to hold a soothing, tear-filled reservoir of fluid against the eye—becomes their Achilles' heel in the water. If you happen to catch a splash of ocean spray or a rogue wave, contaminated water can easily seep under the edge of the lens. Once trapped in that cozy, warm little vault between the lens and your cornea, bacteria and amoebas throw an absolute rave. Without the eye's natural ability to blink away these tiny intruders, you are essentially providing a VIP lounge for pathogens, which can rapidly lead to severe, sight-threatening infections.

Does this mean your days of being a magnificent mermaid or a dashing merman are entirely behind you? Not necessarily, but it does require a touch of strategic wardrobe planning. The absolute golden rule of swimming with scleral lenses is to erect an impenetrable fortress around them. We speak, of course, of swimming goggles. Not just any goggles, mind you, but a high-quality, impeccably fitted pair of watertight goggles that would make an Olympic athlete nod in quiet approval. If water cannot reach the eye, the lens remains safely nestled in its proper environment. However, should a leak occur and water grace your eye, you must promptly exit the water, remove the lenses, and subject them to a vigorous, uncompromising disinfection routine before they ever dare touch your eyes again.

A special, rather stern word must be said about hot tubs. While they are splendid for melting away the tensions of a long Tuesday, the warm, bubbly environment is essentially a luxurious spa resort for bacteria. The steam alone can carry unwanted microbes directly into your eyes, bypassing the need for you to even put your head underwater. It is generally the wisest, most sophisticated choice to simply leave your scleral lenses safely in their case while you soak, opting for blurred relaxation over the risk of a dramatic ocular catastrophe.

Navigating the waters of life with scleral lenses is merely a matter of mastering a few elegant habits. By treating your lenses with the utmost reverence and keeping them safely shielded from the aquatic elements, you ensure that your vision remains as brilliantly clear and boundless as the ocean horizon.

Contact our office in Irvine or Newport Beach at (949)-854-7122 or (949) 476-2870 to book an appointment.