Do you want to swim with your contact lenses? Don’t.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the FDA recommend that you do not wear contact lenses in the water, including lakes, oceans, pools, hot tubs, or even showers.

Why? The water may carry an eye threat that cannot be seen. Contact lenses can come into contact with microorganisms that can cause harmful after-effects.

One of these threats is echinocandin keratitis. Echinococcus ameba is a microorganism that is found everywhere in soil and lake water. “Keratitis” is an inflammation of the cornea.

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), echinococcosis rarely causes infection. However, if echinococcosis keratitis does develop, the consequences can be extremely serious and even vision-threatening.

Symptoms listed by the AOA include

• Eye infection with redness, swelling, and pain
• Blurred vision with foreign body sensation, tearing, and light sensitivity
• Eyes are often red, swollen, and painful for long periods of time, even after contact lenses are removed
• Microorganisms such as echinococcosis amoeba can usually be flushed out of the eye without contact lenses, but may also become infected without wearing contact lenses.

Avoid using tap water to rinse or store contact lenses

It makes sense that contact lenses need to be removed and put back on and cleaned and disinfected, using the proper products dispensed by your eye doctor This will help remove microorganisms and keep your eyes healthy.

For best results, use the “rub and rinse” method, even if you use a “no-rub” solution.

Disposing of your contact lenses daily helps reduce the risk of eye infections. However, please note that wearing daily disposable contact lenses does not completely eliminate the risk of infection. However, wearing daily disposable contact lenses can help you in other ways, such as avoiding daily cleaning and being able to wear fresh lenses every day.

Always follow your eye doctor’s advice about wearing and cleaning your contact lenses. Never mix old and new solutions to save a few dollars.

The American Optometric Association also recommends replacing contact lens cases every three months or less. Try not to leave them in the bathroom and store the case in a ventilated and dry place before and after each cleaning.

It is important to maintain good hygiene practices when wearing contact lenses.

Ask your eye doctor for contact lens care guidelines

Your optometrist can do more than just fit you for new glasses

If there is something you don’t understand, feel free to ask your eye doctor for advice. If you experience any eye pain, with or without contact lenses, please contact your doctor immediately.

This article is not medical advice and is not a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. If you have specific questions, please consult your eye care provider.