Can I wear contact lenses when surfing?
The official line can be short: “Never wear contacts during surfing in the sea.” There is a small chance of an infection from polluted water or micro-organisms in the sea. A small abrasion on the eye is an open port for bacteria and microbes to enter the cornea. If left untreated this can result in loss of vision due to a keratitis (infection of the inner layers of the cornea).
But practically, surfing with glasses is that an option?
For sailing and windsurfing there is a market for polarized goggles. For surfing, I think it’s not very practical. So, if you are used to wearing contacts for your myopia. It’s very difficult not to wear them at all. And you want to catch the best waves with clear vision, don’t you! What is the best way to avoid an infection? Wear daily disposable contact lenses and only use them for the time being on the beach. Never use these lenses multiple times or keep them in a lens holder. Just throw them away after surfing. Don’t rub your eyes while in the water and close your eyes fully before duck diving. Areas around towns and cities often have drainage running directly into the sea, and that drainage contains all sort of things you really don’t want stuck between your contact lenses and your eyes. If an area looks sketchy, don’t risk it.
What should I do if I get a painful red eye after surfing?
The sea is full of micro-organisms, if a bacteria is stuck under a contact lens, an eye starts to itch and becomes red and painfull. Your vision may be still 20/20 (100%) in the beginning, but overtime your visual acuity will get worse. Your eyes may be super sensitive to light at the beginning of an eye infection, this is called photophobia. The advice is seek medical advice within 24 hours. Don’t wait! No wave is worth an eye!
Answered by, MD, Niels Hoevenaars