Swimming is becoming more and more popular. It’s a great form of exercise for all ages and abilities and other than having access to a local pool, you don’t need any special equipment. You may have noticed a trend, more and more people are seeking out salt water pools and with the rise in popularity of these pools you may wonder about the safety and comfort of opening your eyes underwater in these types of pools. So we’ve pulled together lots of helpful tips around the question ‘Can you open your eyes in a salt water pool? So let’s look closer into the effects of saltwater on eye health, comparing it to somewhere like your traditional, local chlorinated pool. You’ll find lots of useful guidance for swimmers like yourself.
Can You Open Your Eyes In A Salt Water Pool?
You’ll find that saltwater pools differ from traditional chlorinated pools in their sanitation method. Instead of adding chlorine directly, these pools use a saltwater system where pool salt (sodium chloride) is converted into chlorine through electrolysis. You’ll notice that this process results in lower chlorine levels, which many find gentler on the skin and eyes. This is one of the reasons that salt water is becoming more and more popular for swimmers.
The Impact of Saltwater on Eyes
Salinity and the Human Eye
The salinity of a saltwater pool is typically around 3,000 parts per million (ppm), which you find is much lower than that of sea or ocean water, which averages about 35,000 ppm. This lower salinity means that saltwater pools are less likely to cause the stinging sensation that you feel when swimming at the coast or on holiday in the ocean. However, individual sensitivity varies, and some people may still find that their eyes are slightly irritated by the salt levels.
Eye Irritation and Infections
While saltwater pools generally have fewer harsh chemicals, you’ll find that they are not devoid of potential eye irritants. If you spend a long time in salt water, you risk irritating your tear film—the thin layer protecting the eye. This can lead to dry eyes or irritation. You’ll also want to think about where you swim as poor maintenance of pool water can create a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, increasing the risk of eye infections such as conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Comparing Saltwater and Chlorinated Pools
Chlorine Exposure
Traditional chlorinated pools, like your local leisure centre pool or gym pool, rely on added chemicals to maintain water quality. High levels of chlorine can be a chemical irritant. You’ll find that you may have red eyes, eye pain, and even blurry vision after swimming on occasion. Some people are more sensitive to chlorine exposure, experiencing more of these symptoms after a swim.
Pool Chemicals and Eye Health
Both types of pools require careful monitoring of pool chemicals to ensure swimmer safety. So whether you are swimming in a chlorine pool or saltwater pool, imbalanced pH levels or calcium hardness can give you a touch of eye irritation. If you have issues, you should speak to the owner or manager of the pool. Pool owners and managers have the responsibility to regularly test and adjust water quality to stop any eye issues.
Best Practices for Protecting Your Eyes
Using Swim Goggles
Wearing swim goggles is the best option to protect your eyes from any issues in both saltwater and chlorinated pools. We sell an amazing range of high-quality swimming goggles. Did you know that goggles create a seal, preventing pool water from coming into contact with your eyes and reducing the risk of irritation and infection?
Contact Lens Wearers
We really don’t recommend that you wear contact lenses when swimming or in hot tubs. We have a whole dedicated post about this, so take a read of our post ‘Can you wear contacts in the pool?’ It's best practice to take your contact lenses out before swimming or use daily disposables and throw them away immediately after. You might find that prescription swim goggles are a better option without the need for contact lenses.
Post-Swim Eye Care
After swimming, it's a good idea to rinse your eyes with clean water or a saline solution to remove any residual pool water. If you experience dry eyes, artificial tears can help restore moisture. If you are experiencing issues after every swim, you should speak to a doctor, eye doctor or your optician.
Potential Risks and Precautions
Eye Infections
You should be aware that swimming in improperly maintained pools can expose you to harmful microorganisms. There is one such organism, Acanthamoeba, which can cause a severe eye infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. It’s rare, but it can lead to vision loss. Making sure you choose a pool which has good water quality and is maintained properly is a good start. Also, not swimming with contact lenses can reduce this risk.
Chemical Conjunctivitis
Another one to be aware of. If you have exposure to high levels of pool chemicals, you may find that you can get chemical conjunctivitis. This is easy to spot as you’ll get red, irritated eyes. Swimming in proper pools with appropriate maintenance of chemicals in the pool combined with limiting exposure to pool water can help prevent this condition.
Opening your eyes in a saltwater pool is generally safe for short periods, especially compared to traditional chlorinated pools. However, individual sensitivities and the type of pool you swim in are the most crucial factors. Choosing pools that are properly maintained will go a long way to keeping your eyes healthy. You should -
Wear swim goggles to protect your precious eyes against irritants.
Avoid swimming with contact lenses and this will help to reduce the likelihood of infection.
Rinse your eyes after swimming to remove any residual pool water and chemicals.
Swim in properly maintained pools which have good water quality.
If you follow these top tips, you’ll enjoy the benefits of a saltwater swimming pool while looking after your eyes.
You can also read our other posts -
Is Salt Water Swimming Bad for Your Hair and Skin?
What Are The Benefits Of A Saltwater Pool?