Can You Swim With GP Contacts?

Gas permeable lenses are made of small disks of hard plastic, which makes wearing them while swimming an uncomfortable and sometimes risky idea. If opt to use your lenses, you should wear goggles and take other precautions to avoid eye infection or loss of your contacts.

  1. GP vs. Soft Contacts

    • Because GP lenses are small and rigid, they are more likely to wash out of your eyes while swimming. Soft contacts cover a greater area of the eye and adhere better to the eye's surface, making them the best option for swimmers who want to see well in the water (see Reference 3). Be prepared, however, for a change in how your lenses feel. Water can make lenses fit tighter against the eyes (see Reference 2).

    Precautions

    • If you decide to keep your GP or soft contact lenses in, moisten your eyes with saline drops beforehand to help make your lenses more comfortable. Then put on a pair of tight-fitting swim goggles that are the proper size for your face. Wearing goggles will assure that your lenses stay in place and minimize contact with bacteria and other microbes in the water (see Reference 3).

    Risks

    • Swimmers who wear hard contacts in the water are at higher risk of eye infection are 17 times more likely to develop an eye infection from the organism acanthamoeba (see Reference 1). An acanthamoeba infection is painful. A severe case can scar the cornea, cause vision loss or require a corneal transplant (see Reference 2).

    After Swimming

    • Clean and disinfect your lenses thoroughly after your swim. Use a solution recommended for GP lenses, and make sure that the solution has not passed its expiration date. Never use tap water to clean your lenses because acanthamoeba thrives in tap water (see Reference 1).

    Options for Goggles

    • Choose goggles that fit flush against your face so that water does not leak inside. Goggles with adjustable straps and nose pieces are a good choice. You can also visit your eye doctor for a pair of prescription goggles and eliminate the need to wear contacts in the water.