Swimming without goggles often results in immediate discomfort, such as redness and stinging, which resolves quickly. While the experience is highly uncomfortable, the risk of permanent damage from a single exposure is low. Ignoring this temporary reaction exposes the eyes to two significant risks: chemical irritation that strips away natural protection and biological contamination that can lead to serious infection. Eye protection is a sensible choice for swimmers.
Temporary Irritation From Water Chemistry
The discomfort experienced after swimming in a pool is largely a result of chemicals like chlorine interacting with the eye’s natural defenses. The eye’s surface is coated by a protective layer called the tear film. Chlorine compounds disrupt this delicate film by washing away the protective layers, leaving the cornea and conjunctiva exposed and dehydrated.
The irritation is exacerbated by the water’s pH imbalance, which differs from the neutral pH of human tears. When chlorine reacts with organic matter like sweat and urine, it forms compounds called chloramines, which cause the stinging and “chlorine smell.” This chemical exposure can cause temporary inflammation of the conjunctiva, known as chemical conjunctivitis or “swimmer’s eye,” resulting in redness and a burning sensation. Even saltwater can cause irritation and temporary blurriness by drawing moisture out of the eyes through osmosis.
Infection Risks From Microorganisms
The absence of goggles allows biological contaminants to reach the eye’s surface, presenting a major risk of infection. Even in chemically treated pools, microbes including bacteria and viruses can survive and cause infections like bacterial or viral conjunctivitis (pink eye). Exposure is not limited to pools, as natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers contain their own unique array of pathogens.
A more serious, though less common, risk is the parasitic infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis, associated with freshwater exposure. This infection is caused by an amoeba found in various water sources. While rare, the risk is significantly higher for contact lens wearers because the amoeba can get trapped between the lens and the cornea, leading to a severe infection that can cause corneal ulcers and permanent vision loss. Lack of eye protection allows these organisms to contact the cornea, especially if the surface has been compromised by chemical irritation.
Assessing Permanent Structural Damage
It is important to distinguish between common, short-term discomfort and actual permanent structural damage to the eye’s tissues. Routine, short-term exposure to treated pool water without goggles rarely causes irreversible damage to the cornea or lens. The eyes possess a remarkable ability to heal from temporary chemical irritation and surface dehydration.
However, long-term, repeated exposure to pool chemicals can lead to chronic issues, such as dry eye syndrome. This condition involves persistent irritation and a breakdown in the quality of the tear film. The most common route to permanent damage is not from chemical exposure itself, but from a severe, untreated infection, such as Acanthamoeba keratitis, which can scar the cornea. Even a single goggle-less swim can cause temporary degradation in the corneal covering and symptoms of corneal edema, though this is reversible.
Practical Steps for Eye Protection
The most straightforward way to protect the eyes is by consistently wearing properly fitted, watertight swim goggles. Goggles create a physical barrier against all waterborne irritants and pathogens. For individuals who wear corrective lenses, prescription goggles offer a safer alternative to wearing contact lenses while swimming, which is strongly discouraged due to the elevated risk of infection.
Immediately after leaving the water, rinse the eyes by gently splashing the face with clean, fresh water or sterile saline solution to flush away lingering chemicals and microbes. Using over-the-counter lubricating eye drops, or artificial tears, before and after swimming can help restore the natural tear film and rehydrate the ocular surface. If symptoms like persistent pain, blurred vision, discharge, or extreme sensitivity to light develop and do not quickly resolve, seek professional medical attention.