BCLA issues swimming advice

 

The BCLA recommends that regular swimmers talk to their practitioner about being fitted with daily disposable lenses for use with goggles whilst swimming. Wearers of daily disposable contact lenses are advised to always discard them immediately after swimming.

 

The BCLA’s advice for contact lens wearers is to not wear contact lenses for swimming, or in hot tubs or whilst showering, or participating in water sports, unless wearing tight-fitting goggles over the top. 

 

After swimming, or if lenses are removed and stored while swimming, the BCLA advises that contact lenses should be cleaned and disinfected in fresh solution before putting them back on the eyes. 

 

BCLA president, Dr Catharine Chisholm, said: “Thankfully it is extremely rare for someone to develop an eye infection as a result of their lenses coming into contact with water – and even less common for this to result in a loss of vision. However, infections of the cornea can be very serious and are most commonly associated with patients not following the instructions for lens care and wear given to them by their eye care practitioner (ECP). 

 

“The BCLA advises all ECPs to revisit optimum lens care habits with patients at each lens aftercare visit, and has recently produced a ‘Checklist for healthy contact lens wear’ for practitioners to complete and issue to their contact lens patients at each six-month check-up.”

Tagged with: Contact Lenses, Optical Body