With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Phoenix residents spend a lot of time in the pool. Swimming is a fantastic way to stay active and beat the Arizona heat — but pool water contains chemicals and microorganisms that can cause real damage to your eyes, especially without the right precautions.
At Valley Eyecare Center, our Phoenix eye doctors want you to enjoy every swim safely. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Pool Water Is Hard on Your Eyes
Most people blame chlorine for the burning and redness they feel after swimming — but the real culprit is usually chloramines. These are chemical compounds formed when chlorine reacts with sweat, body oils, urine, and sunscreen in the water. Ironically, a strongly chemical-smelling pool is a sign of poor water quality, not a well-sanitized one.
pH imbalance is another factor. Pool water should be maintained at a pH between 7.2 and 7.8 — close to the natural pH of human tears. When it drifts outside that range, even briefly, it becomes significantly more irritating to the ocular surface.
Beyond chemicals, pool water can harbor bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms that survive even in chlorinated environments. This is especially risky for contact lens wearers, as we’ll explain below.
Common Eye Problems Caused by Swimming
Here are the most common swimming-related eye conditions our team sees:
- Swimmer’s Eye (Chemical Conjunctivitis): Redness, burning, watering, and irritation caused by chloramines and pH imbalance. Usually resolves within a few hours of rinsing with fresh water.
- Bacterial or Viral Pink Eye: Pools are a hotspot for conjunctivitis. Adenoviral pink eye in particular spreads easily in water and can last one to two weeks.
- Dry Eye Flare-Ups: Pool chemicals strip the natural lipid layer of your tear film, triggering dryness and irritation that can linger for hours after swimming.
- Acanthamoeba Keratitis: A rare but serious corneal infection almost exclusively linked to wearing contact lenses in water. It can cause severe pain, blurred vision, and — without prompt treatment — permanent vision damage.
- Photokeratitis: A corneal sunburn caused by UV radiation reflected off the water’s surface. Common in outdoor swimmers who don’t wear protective eyewear.
If you develop redness, discharge, pain, or blurred vision after swimming that doesn’t improve within 24 hours, schedule an appointment at Valley Eyecare Center promptly.
How to Protect Your Eyes in the Pool
Wear Swim Goggles Every Time
This is the single most effective thing you can do. A properly fitted pair of swim goggles creates a watertight seal that prevents pool water from contacting the ocular surface entirely. Look for goggles with a secure seal, UV protection for outdoor use, and anti-fog coating. If you need vision correction, ask us about prescription swim goggles — we can have them made to your exact prescription.
Never Swim in Contact Lenses
This is one of the most important rules for contact lens wearers. Soft lenses are porous and can absorb pool water — along with any bacteria or parasites it contains — holding them directly against your cornea. This dramatically increases your risk of Acanthamoeba keratitis and other serious corneal infections. If you must swim in lenses, use daily disposables, wear tight goggles over them, and discard the lenses immediately afterward. Better yet, switch to prescription swim goggles altogether.
Rinse Your Eyes Right After Swimming
As soon as you exit the pool, rinse your eyes with clean, fresh water. This flushes out residual chloramines, chemicals, and microorganisms before they cause irritation or infection. Avoid rubbing your eyes — rubbing introduces bacteria from your hands and worsens any existing irritation.
Use Lubricating Eye Drops
Preservative-free artificial tears before and after swimming help protect the ocular surface and restore moisture stripped by pool chemicals. This is especially important for patients with dry eye disease. Ask our team which formulation is best for your needs.
Wear UV-Protective Sunglasses Poolside
Even when you’re not in the water, reflective surfaces around an outdoor pool significantly increase UV exposure. Wear quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection whenever you’re poolside to protect against photokeratitis and long-term UV damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are saltwater pools safer for eyes than chlorinated pools?
A: Saltwater pools still use chlorine — they just generate it differently. Chlorine levels are typically lower and more consistent, which many swimmers find less irritating. However, they’re not immune to pH imbalance or microbial contamination, and contact lens risks remain the same. Goggles are still recommended.
Q: My eyes are red and burning after swimming — what should I do?
A: Rinse your eyes thoroughly with fresh water and apply preservative-free lubricating drops. Avoid rubbing. Most chemical irritation resolves within a few hours. If redness, pain, discharge, or blurred vision persists beyond 24 hours, schedule an appointment at Valley Eyecare Center to rule out infection.
Q: Is it safe to open your eyes underwater in a pool?
A: It’s not recommended. Even in a well-maintained pool, opening your eyes underwater exposes them to chloramines, pH-imbalanced water, and potential pathogens. Wear swim goggles instead.
Q: Are prescription swim goggles available for kids?
A: Yes! Prescription swim goggles are available for children and are a great solution for young swimmers who need vision correction. They eliminate the need for contacts in water and provide full eye protection. Ask our team at Valley Eyecare Center about pediatric options.
Swim Smart This Season
With the right habits — goggles, no contacts, and a quick rinse afterward — swimming doesn’t have to come at the cost of your eye health. If you’re experiencing irritation, dryness, or any symptoms after pool time, our team at Valley Eyecare Center is here to help.
Call our Northern Ave. office at 602-242-6888 or our 44th Street office at 602-955-2700, or visit valleyeyecareaz.com to book your appointment online. Enjoy every swim — we’ll take care of the rest.
