Swimming

SWIMMING GOGGLES

Many patients are uncomfortable with their glasses off while swimming. There are now prescription swim goggles available. Also, these goggles can be purchased with tinted lenses.

STANDARD SUNGLASSES

If you spend a lot of time around water, we recommend you wear protective sunglasses. It has been found that excessive amount of ultraviolet light can increase your risk of cataracts and retinal damage.

Quality sunglasses have ground lenses (not thin plastic) which are free of distortions and imperfections. Thin plastic lenses usually contain lens distortions and can actually reduce your visual acuity (the ability to see things clearly). In addition, quality sunglasses filter about 80% of the visible light spectrum, and filter out all the ultraviolet light rays and infrared light rays. The best tint colors are gray, green and brown. These colors filter more evenly across the visible light spectrum.

POLARIZED SUNGLASSES

A polarized lens acts like a filter or lattice which allows the useful light traveling from an object to reach the eye, while blocking all the glare caused by the scattered light traveling in many different random directions. Therefore, Polarized Sunglasses combine the advantages of Standard Sunglasses with a polarized lens. These lenses are particularly effective around water.

SPECIAL ITEMS

Many people lose their glasses in lakes and streams. Frame straps are available which keeps the frame from falling off your face. Also, floatation devices which slip over the temples (earpieces) of your glasses are available. These make your glasses float until you can retrieve them.

CONTACT LENS WEARERS

It is recommended that people who wear contact lenses either remove their lenses for swimming, or wear a Non-prescription Swimming Goggle. Exposing contact lenses to water increases the risk of eye infections. These Non-Prescription Swimming Goggles are also available with tints. Quality sunglasses should be worn when you have your contacts on and are around water.

Watersports