Can You Swim with Contacts? Risks and Safer Options

Can you swim with contacts? Technically you can, but you shouldn’t. The CDC and the FDA both advise keeping contact lenses away from water, including pools, hot tubs, lakes and the ocean, because water can carry germs that cause rare but serious eye infections. That goes for every type of lens, so the answer to “can you swim with contact lenses” is the same whether you wear dailies, monthlies or colored lenses.

The good news is that you don’t have to choose between seeing clearly and swimming. Below I explain what the actual risk is, what to do if you have already swum in your lenses, and the options that let you see the pool clock, the wall and your kids without putting your eyes at risk.

Why Swimming with Contacts Is Risky

A soft contact lens works a bit like a sponge. When it gets wet, it can absorb water and anything living in that water, then hold it right against the surface of your eye for hours.

Acanthamoeba keratitis

The infection eye doctors worry about most is Acanthamoeba keratitis. Acanthamoeba is a tiny organism found in tap water, pools, hot tubs, lakes and soil. Chlorine does not reliably kill it. For most people it is harmless, but if it gets trapped under a contact lens it can infect the cornea. This infection is rare, but it can be very painful, hard to treat, and in serious cases can permanently damage vision. Contact lens wearers make up most of the cases.

Other problems

• Bacterial infections and corneal ulcers. Pools, and especially lakes, rivers and the ocean, contain bacteria that can cause infections when trapped against the eye. A bad infection can lead to a corneal ulcer, an open sore on the front of the eye.
• Irritation and dryness. Chlorine and salt water can irritate the eye and make lenses feel tight or gritty.
• Lens changes. Soft lenses can absorb water and change shape slightly, which may make them uncomfortable or stick to the eye.
• Losing the lens. One splash, flip turn or dive is often enough to wash a lens out of your eye.

Is it bad to swim with contacts just once?

One swim does not mean you will get an infection. Most people who accidentally swim in their lenses are fine. The problem is that the risk is unpredictable and the rare bad outcome is serious, so eye doctors treat every swim in contacts as something to avoid, not something that is “OK in moderation.”

Can You Swim with Contacts If You Wear Goggles?

Well-sealed goggles reduce the risk a lot, because they keep most water away from your eyes. Many people do swim with contacts in under goggles. It is still not risk-free:

• Goggles can leak, get knocked loose, or come off during a dive or turn.
• Many people lift their goggles between sets and splash their face.
• Kids and beginners tend to adjust and remove goggles a lot.

The official advice from the CDC and FDA is still to avoid getting contact lenses wet at all. If you decide to wear lenses under goggles anyway, talk to your eye doctor first. They may suggest daily disposable lenses that you throw away right after swimming, and the steps below.

Hot Tubs, Showers and Other Water

The rule is not only about swimming pools. The same germs live in other water you meet every day:

• Hot tubs: warm water is an especially friendly environment for germs. Take lenses out before getting in.
• Showers: tap water can carry Acanthamoeba too. The CDC recommends removing lenses before showering, or at least keeping your eyes closed and away from the spray.
• Lakes, rivers and the ocean: untreated water carries more organisms than a pool, so the risk is higher.
• Tap water on lenses or cases: never rinse, store or “wet” lenses with tap water or saliva.

What to Do If You Swam with Contacts

If water got into your eyes while you were wearing lenses, don’t panic. Most people never have a problem. But take these steps:

1. Take the lenses out as soon as you can, with clean, dry hands.
2. Throw daily disposables away. For other lenses, follow your eye doctor’s instructions for disinfecting them, or replace them.
3. Never rinse lenses or your case with tap water. Use only fresh contact lens solution.
4. Give your eyes a break and wear glasses for the rest of the day if you can.
5. Watch for warning signs over the next days and weeks.

When to see an eye doctor

Call an eye doctor promptly if you notice any of these after swimming in lenses:

• Eye pain or a feeling that something is stuck in your eye
• Redness that doesn’t go away
• Blurry vision
• Strong sensitivity to light
• Excess tearing or discharge

Eye infections linked to contact lenses can get worse quickly, so don’t wait it out. Normal irritation from chlorine usually fades within a few hours. If you are not sure, read about cloudy vision after swimming for common harmless causes, but get checked if symptoms last or get worse.

Is It Better to Swim with Glasses or Contacts?

Neither, really. Regular glasses fall off, fog and slide down your nose the moment you start swimming, and contacts carry the infection risk above. For swimming, the better choice is to take off both and wear prescription goggles. Keep your glasses for the walk to and from the pool, and put contacts in after you have showered and dried off.

Safer Ways to See Clearly While Swimming

Here are the options I recommend to swimmers who rely on contacts or glasses.

Prescription swim goggles

This is the best option for most people. You can order goggles made with your exact prescription, or buy ready-made goggles in common strengths for nearsightedness. Ready-made ones are often surprisingly affordable and work well if both eyes have a similar prescription. For astigmatism or different prescriptions in each eye, custom goggles from an optical shop are better.

If you are shopping for goggles anyway, my guide to the best swimming goggles covers fit, seal and lens types. A good seal matters even more if you have sensitive eyes.

Swimming without correction

Plenty of swimmers simply swim “blurry.” In a pool you mainly need to see the black line on the bottom, the wall and other swimmers. A tinted or mirrored goggle can make shapes and contrast a bit easier to see. In open water or a crowded pool, though, poor vision is a real safety issue, so use corrective goggles there.

Can Kids Swim with Contacts?

The same rules apply to kids and teens, and honestly I’d be even stricter. Young swimmers take goggles on and off constantly, dive, jump and splash. For lessons and swim team, prescription goggles are the way to go. They also help kids feel more confident, because they can actually see where they are going.

Tips for Swimming with Contacts Safely (or Without Them)

• Keep a pair of glasses in your swim bag so you can take lenses out before the pool and still see on the way.
• Put lenses in after your post-swim shower, not before, so you don’t splash water into your eyes.
• Wash and fully dry your hands before handling lenses.
• Never store lenses or rinse your case with tap water.
• Skip hot tubs with lenses in.
• If you choose to wear lenses under goggles, use dailies and throw them out right after the swim.
• Get a quick eye exam if you notice ongoing redness or discomfort after swimming.

Foggy goggles are the other common complaint from swimmers who switch from contacts to prescription goggles. These tips on foggy eyes after swimming can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I swim with contact lenses in a chlorinated pool?

Chlorine does not make contacts safe. Some germs, including Acanthamoeba, can survive normal pool chlorine levels. Health agencies recommend removing lenses before swimming.

Is it OK to swim with contacts if I keep my eyes closed?

Closing your eyes cuts down on water contact but does not prevent it, especially with splashing, turns or diving. It is still safer to take lenses out or wear prescription goggles.

Can you swim in the ocean with contacts?

The ocean, lakes and rivers carry even more bacteria and other organisms than a treated pool. Avoid wearing contacts in open water. Use prescription goggles or a prescription mask instead.

Are daily disposable contacts safe for swimming?

They are safer than reusable lenses because you throw them away right after, but they can still trap water and germs against your eye during the swim. Ask your eye doctor before relying on them.

What happens if I accidentally swim with my contacts in?

Take them out, throw them away or disinfect them as your eye doctor recommends, and watch for pain, redness, blurry vision or light sensitivity. See an eye doctor promptly if any of these appear.

Are prescription swim goggles worth it?

For anyone who swims regularly and wears corrective lenses, yes. They are the simplest way to see clearly without exposing your eyes to the risks of wet contacts.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Always follow your eye doctor’s guidance for your eyes and lenses.

If you are in the Miami area and want to swim more confidently, whether you are a beginner or working on technique, I teach private lessons at your own pool. Learn more about private swimming lessons for adults in Miami and reach out to set up your first lesson.