Does Wearing Swimming Goggles Give me Glaucoma? (2024)

FAQs

Does Wearing Swimming Goggles Give me Glaucoma? ›

Any effect of wearing swimming goggles on the IOP is only temporary, and the IOP returns to baseline immediately after removal of goggles. Most swimmers, unless they are Michael Phelps, only wear swimming goggles for a couple of hours each day, so it is unlikely to cause glaucoma.

Wearing swimming goggles reduces central corneal thickness and anterior chamber angle, and increases intraocular pressure.

Swimming is a great form of low impact aerobic exercise, which can be beneficial for those living with glaucoma. However, the use of swimming goggles may temporarily increase intraocular pressure (IOP) and increase the risk of optic nerve damage.

The normal range of pressure is between 10 and 21. The pressure level where eye damage is likely to happen is over 21. The average increase in pressure from wearing different types of swim goggles is 4.5.

Goggles are frequently worn in the sport of swimming and are designed to form a seal around the periorbital tissue orbit. The resultant pressure on the eye may have the potential to affect intraocular pressure and blood flow of the optic nerve head.

Aerobic Exercise

Engaging in low-impact aerobic exercises like walking, cycling, and swimming can encourage blood flow to the optic nerve and help regulate intraocular pressure. Since aerobic exercises are known to promote blood flow to the heart and brain, they may also benefit glaucoma.

Supplements that include Vitamins B1, B12, C, A, E, thiamine, magnesium and mirtogenol may be the most effective in fighting glaucoma. Herbal supplements that may have a positive effect on glaucoma include ginkgo biloba, bilberry and forskolin.

Any Activity that Places Head Lower than Heart

Other activities that place your head lower than your heart, such as doing handstands or push-up handstands (like in a CrossFit class), are not recommended as they can increase eye pressure.

Why do swimmers wet their goggles? ›

Simply wetting your face and goggles in the pool water before putting your goggles on will help combat the fogging, allowing time for the surface of your face and goggles to come down closer to the water temperature and gradually rise with your body temperature.

Wear Watertight Goggles

If you typically wear glasses with prescriptions, you can consult your eye-care specialist about purchasing prescription goggles. Swim goggles are specialised equipment, so they need to be treated with care. They ought to be flushed with fresh water after each use.

Hydration is always important for good health, but excessive amounts of water in short periods of time can be dangerous. Drinking a quart of water in less than five minutes has been shown to increase intraocular pressure; instead, advise your patients to drink small amounts of water often to stay hydrated.

Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease caused by damage to the optic nerve, which leads to visual field loss. One of the major risk factors is eye pressure. An abnormality in the eye's drainage system can cause fluid to build up, leading to excessive pressure that causes damage to the optic nerve.

In addition to avoiding caffeine, saturated fats, trans fatty acids, and salt in your daily diet, glaucoma patients should also consider avoiding any foods they're allergic to. Some of these lifestyle choices might be difficult to make, but they're more than worth it when maintaining eye health.

Indeed, opening your eyes underwater increases the risk of a few types of eye irritation and damage. In studies examining the eye effects of public swimming pools with chlorine or bromine treated water, red eyes, irritation, and itchiness are commonly reported.

This type of headache is caused by pressure being applied to your scalp and forehead. For swimmers, it is almost always a result of swim caps or swimming goggles.

Patients will be allowed to swim again while wearing goggles approximately 2 weeks after their cataract surgery. Patients can return to swimming without goggles approximately 4 weeks after the cataract surgery. If your surgeon advises waiting longer, be sure to heed their instructions to prevent complications.