Sclerals and swimming

[Helen Turner]

I was told by my contact lens guy that i could swim in goggles with my scleral lenses. But goggles are too close to my eye sockets and press on them causing discomfort and ouch!
So instead i went to the pool in a snorkel mask, more comfortable and no problems i thought. Until 10 mins into my swim and a young whipper snapper of a lifeguard told me i couldnt wear it, Health and Safety apparently. After trying to explain why i was wearing it, i had to give up and swim with no goggles or mask. When i got out my lenses were so fogged up i could hardly see.
Have been looking around for some super size goggles instead and have yet to hear from 'leisure guy' at council if they are suitable. Until then i am a land dweller.

[GarethB]

Hi Helen,

I am sure people here have reported that they go swimming with sclerals and no goggles, but never heard of fogging after a swim.

I do not wear sclerals, but I do remove my corneal lenses before swimming. Do need to be careful of where the edge of the pool is and where steps are, but have found as long as I tell the lifeguards about my lack of sight they have been very useful.

Post swim I give my eyes a good rinse under the showers and put my lenses back in just before departure. Have found the baby changing cubicle good for this as the fold down bench for changing a baby is just the right height to acta as a bench to put my lenses in. I do use a fresh towel to cover the surface for hygeine reasons.

Sorry I can not help further.

Gareth

[jayuk]

Helen

My understanding was that you can actually go swimming with just Scelerals in......and wearing the goggles was just an extra precaution.......check out Ebay for the wide goggles as there was some there..........

J

[Sweet]

I did swim in sclerals when i eventually got them in and could see! You can wear them swimming but you do need to rinse them when you get out as the chlorine can make your eyes red and sore. Mine didn't fog up though. Hope you get it sorted soon.

Sweet X x X

[Andrew MacLean]

I was thinking about this fog, and wonder what time you were at the pool.

This may seem like an off the wall question, but if you were at the pool after, say, a school party, there may have been more than chlorine in the water.

I must say I am a bit surprised at the attidude of the pool attendant who wouldn't let you wear your mask. Did he give any reasons?

Andrew

[sarah.w]

I go surfing quite a bit with my sclerals in. All i wear is a pair of wrap around sunglasses as not only do they protect my eyes from the sun but they stop any impact from the water hitting me in the eyes! After a surf i take them out and give them a quick rinse and re-insert them. I think you you only have to wear goggles for a precaution though.
sarah

[rosemary johnson]

I've always swum in my sclerals with no problems, and no goggles.
Sunglasses - with a string round the back of my head tied up snogly, just in case!) in outdoor pools in sunny weather.
But then..... I tend to swim along at a rather sedate breaststroke with my head sticking ou of the water all the time, and keep my eyes tight shut if I try handstands or "touching the bottom" type diving.
HOpe you get it sorted out.
Rosemary

[Helen Turner]

Wow so many replies. Had a word with some high up person at the council asking about a certain type of goggles and if they would be okay. He told me yes so any probs and i have to quote his name. Speedo rift goggles, ordered and awaiting delivery. Bigger than your average goggles so hoping they fit okay. Then i can go back to the pool and excercise like a woman posessed. Well......at least once a week......
As i tend to swim with my head under water its a bit awkward not to wear goggles oh and the accompanying nose clip. My do i look a pretty sight.

[GarethB]

It looks like thr group is well on its way to having a synchronised swimming team.

[Sweet]

Hey there Helen glad that you have found some goggles! Can i ask where you got them from, as am going away on a watersports weekend for my birthday and will be needing some as well!

Thanks, Sweet X x X