Summer in Utah means sunshine, swimming, and time outdoors. But while you’re diving into fun, your eyes might be paying the price. Pool chemicals, lake bacteria, and salty ocean water can cause more than temporary discomfort—they can interfere with your tear film, lead to eye infections, and make your eyesight blurry after swimming.
Dry eye syndrome, eye pain, and “swimmer’s eye” aren’t just nuisances—they could be signs your eyes need extra attention. Eye Clinic & Aesthetics of Provo is here to help you protect your vision all summer long with simple, effective habits that keep your eyes healthy before, during, and after a swim.
How Water Affects Eye Health
Your eyes are protected by a thin layer called the tear film. This barrier keeps the surface of the eye smooth and hydrated, supports clear vision, and helps prevent infection. Unfortunately, pool chemicals like chlorine, as well as salt and debris from natural water sources, can strip away the tear film. Once that layer is compromised, irritation quickly follows.
Many swimmers experience burning, itching, or red eyes—common symptoms of “swimmer’s eye.” Some also report blurry vision or sensitivity to light after swimming. These symptoms are more than annoying. They can indicate that your tear film is damaged or that bacteria and irritants have made their way into your eye, setting the stage for an eye infection.
If you’ve felt like your eyesight is blurry after swimming, or you’ve noticed recurring eye pain or discomfort after time in the water, your eyes could be signaling that it’s time to adjust your swimming routine.
4 Tips for Swimming and Eye Health: Protecting Your Vision This Summer
1. Wear Swim Goggles Every Time
This is your first line of defense. Goggles shield your eyes from pool chemicals, saltwater, and bacteria. They also help keep your tear film intact, reducing the risk of irritation and infection.
Be sure to choose goggles that form a proper seal without being too tight. Poorly fitting goggles allow water in, defeating the purpose. For children or frequent swimmers, investing in a pair with anti-fog and UV protection can make a big difference.
Pro Tip for Contact Wearers:
If you wear prescription lenses, avoid combining contacts with water and try prescription swim goggles instead. Swimming with contact lenses increases the risk of serious complications, including corneal infections and vision loss.
2. Skip the Contacts
Speaking of contact lenses, keep them far away from the pool, hot tub, ocean, or lake. Wearing contacts while swimming traps microorganisms and chemicals against the eye. This environment encourages the growth of harmful bacteria, potentially leading to severe infections like Acanthamoeba keratitis.
For those who absolutely need vision correction while swimming, daily disposable lenses combined with sealed goggles are a safer choice. Discard them immediately after swimming. Even with this precaution, the risk still exists. That’s why prescription goggles remain the better option.
Symptoms like redness, discharge, tearing, or a gritty feeling could mean you’re dealing with an eye infection from swimming. If your eyes feel uncomfortable or your vision seems off after time in the water, it’s important to get checked promptly.
3. Rinse Your Eyes and Use Eye Drops After Swimming
Once you get out of the pool or ocean, take a few minutes to rinse your eyes. Use clean water or sterile saline solution. This helps flush out lingering chlorine, salt, or debris that can cause eye pain or leave your eyesight blurry after swimming.
Even better, follow up with lubricating eye drops that swimming won’t wash away. These drops help restore moisture and rebuild the tear film. For swimmers with existing dry eye syndrome, thicker artificial tears or gel drops may provide additional relief and protection.
Avoid rubbing your eyes after swimming. Rubbing can damage the corneal surface or introduce bacteria, making any irritation worse.
4. Hydrate and Protect Your Tear Film
Hydration doesn’t just help your body—it helps your eyes, too. Dehydration reduces tear production, making your eyes more vulnerable to irritation from swimming. Drink plenty of water before and after time in the water to keep tear production at healthy levels.
Tips for Swimmers & Solutions for Dry Eye Syndrome
For those who frequently swim or already deal with dry eye symptoms, treatments like radiofrequency therapy (such as TempSure Envi) or autologous serum tears might help. These therapies support tear film restoration and address underlying causes like Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, a leading contributor to dry eye.
If your tear glands aren’t working properly, pool water can have an even greater impact. Prolonged dryness can increase your risk for infection, eye pain, and long-term inflammation. Keeping your eyes hydrated from the inside and out is critical for comfort and vision clarity.
Eye Health 101: Know When Something’s Wrong
It’s normal for eyes to feel a little dry or irritated after a swim. But if you experience ongoing symptoms such as:
- Redness that doesn’t fade
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision hours after swimming
- Excessive tearing (tear production)
- Eye pain
- A feeling of grit or something stuck in your eye
- Discharge or swelling
…it’s time to visit an eye care professional. These signs could point to an infection or a damaged tear film, both of which can impact your long-term eye health.
Your Eye Health Shouldn’t Take a Summer Break
Clear vision is key to enjoying the season. But blurry vision, eye infection and swimming, or recurring swimmers eye can quickly put a damper on your summer fun.
Don’t wait for symptoms to get worse. If your eyesight feels blurry after swimming or you’re struggling with dry, irritated eyes, let our team at Eye Clinic & Aesthetics of Provo help. We offer advanced diagnostics, effective dry eye treatments, and expert advice tailored to your unique needs.
Schedule Your Summer Eye Health Exam Today
Summer is short, but your vision should last a lifetime. Protect your eyes with simple, practical habits and stay ahead of issues before they impact your quality of life.
Book your eye exam today to address dry eye, blurry vision, or other concerns. Let’s help your eyes feel as good as summer looks.