Should I Wear Goggles when I Swim?

Your bathing suit isn’t the only gear you’ll need when swimming, even if it’s in a pool nestled right in your own San Diego–area backyard. Goggles are just as important and beneficial as anything else you may prefer to wear while swimming. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned swimmer, this type of eyewear is strongly recommended by the American Optometric Association. The experts from San Diego Pools, one of the premier swimming pool companies in North County, explain why.

The Human Eye Isn’t Designed for Water

The human eye is versatile, but it doesn’t naturally adapt to long-term water exposure. This is why your vision becomes blurry when you’re immersed in water as you turn your head and make your preferred strokes as you swim. Goggles resolve this problem by providing protection for your eyes.

Goggles Help with Underwater Vision

Even if you’re very familiar with your pool, you’ll still need to see to get your bearings from time to time as you swim, especially if you’re doing laps. Goggles allow you to clearly see where you are, what’s coming up in front of you, and whether or not there are any obstacles in the pool you’ll need to maneuver around.

Goggles Can Be Customized to Correct Your Vision

Wearing contacts while swimming isn’t advised because of the potential for the removable lenses to absorb pool water and trap bacteria or viruses that could harm your eyes. But if you want to maintain clear vision as you swim, prescription goggles can help you achieve this goal. These are customized goggles that allow you to maintain 20/20 vision in a safe way as you swim, and they’re something to consider if you’re a frequent swimmer.

Clean Water Isn’t Pure Water

Just because a pool is clean doesn’t mean the water in it is pure. There are tiny microscopic impurities that even chlorine can’t completely get rid of. This is why it’s best to err on the side of caution and put on comfortable, properly fitting goggles, especially if you’ll be swimming for a while.

Pool Chemicals Can Affect Your Eyes

Another reason goggles are recommended when swimming is because of the chlorine and other chemicals typically used to keep pool water free of bacteria and other impurities. Chlorine, the most commonly used pool chemical, can irritate your eyes even when it’s at an acceptable or balanced level. Long-term exposure to chlorinated water may also contribute to:

• Bacterial or viral eye infections
• Red eyes that are itchy or irritated
• Eyes that are excessively dry

Goggle Exceptions for Very Young Swimmers

Babies and other young swimmers usually don’t want anything on their faces. Plus, goggles aren’t likely to fit right or be worn correctly at young ages. For this reason, it’s often recommended that you get your child used to wearing goggles in a more comfortable setting like a bathtub first. Swimming pool floats and similar accessories can keep very young swimmers’ faces and eyes from having direct contact with pool water.

Wearing goggles when you swim is just one of the tips to follow if you own a swimming pool. If you don’t have a pool yet but you’re ready to add one to your home, reach out to the experienced pros at San Diego Pools. As premier specialists in modern pool design, we’ve been building high-quality pools for more than forty years, and we can build a pool that’s perfect for you and your family. Give us a call today at 888-707-7786 to learn how we can create the pool of your dreams.