Swimming Goggles and Intraocular Pressure. - Matossian Eye Associates (2024)

FAQs

Can wearing swimming goggles elevate intraocular pressure? ›

Swimming goggles form a tight space around our eyes and an individual's IOP may increase by 4-5mmHg (approximately a 20–30% increase) while wearing swim goggles. The tighter the goggles, or the smaller they are relative to the eyes, the more likely the swimming goggles will increase IOP.

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. This means it's unlikely that a pair of swim goggles would cause someone's eye pressure to be higher than 21, where eye damage would happen.

Therefore, advanced glaucoma patients who use swimming goggles regularly should be carefully monitored, or should use specially-designed swimming goggles that produce minimal pressure around the eyelid.

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.

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.

Swimmer's Eye and Cloudy Vision

Exposure to chlorine, a common disinfectant used in pools, disrupts the tear film, a protective layer that lubricates the eye and helps wash away dust and debris.

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.

Whilst the use of swimming goggles does not appear to increase your risk of acquiring glaucoma, if you have already been diagnosed it is recommended to limit your use of smaller swimming goggles that put pressure around the eye socket in favour of wider, snorkelling-type goggles.

What aggravates eye pressure? ›

Caffeine and alcohol consumption can also raise your IOP. Also, drinking large volumes of water or other liquids at a time may raise the intraocular pressure of your eyes.

A warm, cozy mug of green tea (or a glass of iced, if you'd like) might be helpful for easing some of that eye pressure for an hour or two after sipping, found one small study published in the International Journal of Ophthalmology.

The best option for swimmers who can't live without their glasses is to get a pair of prescription goggles. Depending on your eyesight, you may be able to purchase a pair of ready-made goggles in the correct prescription to suit.

The short answer is no – wearing safety eyewear cannot damage your vision. However, it can be the source of some discomforts such as headaches and eye fatigue, which can then influence safety and compliance.

People who swim frequently may develop dry eye, where they don't produce enough tears or the right quality of tears. It can feel like they have grit in their eyes, or their vision becomes blurry. Without the protection of a fully functioning tear film, eyes are exposed to harmful pool chemicals and lingering bacteria.

Increased intraocular pressure may occur if too much fluid enters the eye or too little fluid drains from the eye. Different conditions may prevent the aqueous humor from exiting the eye at the expected rate, including: Uveitis (inflammation of the middle portion of the eye)

Other types of exercise can raise the pressure inside the eyes as well, including inverted situps, crunches and squats. Many of these are done on an inversion table, which rotates the legs above the head, increasing eye pressure. Several yoga poses also incorporate inversion, such as: Dolphin pose.

Changing body position is known to cause intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations. IOP increased significantly when changing from the sitting to the supine position. Taking lateral decubitus positions (LDP) may further increase the IOP,¹ especially in the dependent eyes.