While you can't completely avoid the pain when you swim underwater, there are a few tricks you can do to relieve the discomfort once it resurfaces
The redness and burning you probably know if you've ever opened your eyes in a pool or sea are caused by the chemicals and other elements in the water. Thanks to the right preventive measures and proper treatments, you will be able to significantly reduce the pain you feel after opening your eyes underwater and you could even prevent them from becoming red and swollen!
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Reduce Underwater Eye Pain
Step 1. Avoid water that contains chlorine
While you won't always be able to choose where to swim, it will be helpful to know which substances cause the most eye pain. For example, water with chlorine (found in swimming pools, hot tubs, and so on) has a tendency to burn more than water that does not contain this substance. While chlorine is great for killing water germs, the redness and stinging you may experience after a dip in the pool can be very annoying.
Chlorine hurts more because it irritates the eye's tear film. In some cases, it can also dehydrate the cornea, causing blurred and distorted vision for a few minutes
Step 2. Avoid salt water
This is another common source of eye irritation while swimming. Salt naturally attracts moisture from the eyes, dehydrating them and causing burning. In addition, places where you are more likely to swim in salt water (such as beaches) may contain pollutants, such as biological materials, silt and debris.
The eyes are naturally covered in a salty fluid (you probably already knew this if you've ever tasted tears). However, the concentration of sea salt is on average 3-4 times higher than that of the eyes and this leads to an imbalance, capable of dehydrating them
Step 3. Remove contact lenses before swimming
Many optometrists advise against swimming with contact lenses. Depending on the type of lens you wear, water can deform it and push it against the eye, causing pain. In addition, lenses can trap bacteria and microorganisms contained in the water in the eye, causing (in rare cases) infections that lead to serious eye problems.
If you have to wear contact lenses underwater, put the disposable ones on, then throw them away after swimming. This way, you won't have to disinfect them carefully
Step 4. Have a soothing saline solution on hand
These solutions contain a mixture of water and salt designed specifically to mimic the concentration of salt in the eye. Applying a few drops of saline solution after swimming without goggles is a great way to remove contaminants from your eyes, relieve burning, and reduce the risk of infection. Usually, you can find saline solution packs at low prices at the drugstore or optician.
If you have no alternative, you can also wash your eyes with clean, fresh, fresh water, such as that from a bottle or fountain
Step 5. Squint your eyes instead of opening them fully
The less they will be exposed to water, the less they will be irritated. If opening them all the way down is too painful, you may be able to see underwater by simply opening them ajar. You won't have perfect vision, but you will probably be able to make out vague shapes and outlines - always better than nothing.
Part 2 of 2: Training Underwater Vision
Step 1. Enter the water with your eyes closed
Like all hard-to-learn skills, the best way to open your eyes in the water without feeling pain is through practice. Start by entering the body of water you prefer. As mentioned earlier, the best option is clean fresh water; chlorine and salt cause more pain. Keep your eyes closed as you dive so that the water doesn't get inside your eyelids.
If you wear contact lenses, don't forget to remove them before entering the water
Step 2. At first, try squinting
Once submerged, open your eyes slightly. Separate your eyelids until you can make out the vague shapes of your surroundings. Keep them open for a second or two. If you don't feel too uncomfortable, continue with the next step.
If squinting is too painful, maybe the water you're swimming in is particularly irritating (or you have very sensitive eyes). Try the "controlled environments" step at the end of this section
Step 3. Slowly open your eyes
Now, gradually open your eyelids to their natural "open" position. It may not be easy to do this; in some cases, it will feel "wrong" to you, such as swallowing a pill without water or looking down if you suffer from vertigo. If you feel nervous, go very slowly to help control your anxiety.
Some people find it easier to open their eyes underwater by looking up. Try experimenting with different eye positions to find the best one for you
Step 4. Close your eyes as soon as they start to burn
If you've ever kept your eyes open for a long time (for a challenge with a friend for example), you probably know that they start to burn after a while even out of water, where the only irritant is air. When you are underwater, they will start to burn much faster and you will need to keep them closed longer before the sensation wears off. As soon as you feel the first signs of pain, close them and do not reopen them for 1 or 2 seconds. The eyelids will cover them again with a protective layer of tears, relieving the pain.
As the pain subsides, gradually reopen your eyes. Repeat this procedure while swimming underwater to help keep the pain under control
Step 5. If you have problems, test your skills in a controlled environment
The eyes of each of us are different. Some people find it easy to open their eyes underwater, while others have much more difficulty. If you can't open them, try this gentle method of practicing until you feel comfortable:
- Fill a bowl or sink with clean, clear, room temperature tap water.
- Lower your face into the water, keeping your eyes closed. You should feel a pleasant sensation. If the water is too hot or too cold, adjust the temperature.
- With your face in the water, gradually open your eyes, squinting at first, then opening them wide. Close your eyes again when they start to burn.
- Repeat a couple of times, until you can open your eyes with confidence, before putting your skills to the test in the pool, on the beach, etc.
Advice
- Within the scientific world, it is often debated whether prolonged exposure to chlorine or salt water can cause permanent damage to the eye. In general, eye irritation is known to lead to minor problems, such as surfer's eye, which can temporarily impair vision.
- If the idea of opening your eyes underwater makes you nervous, avoid counting to 5 or similar methods. This would lead you to abandon your idea at the last second. On the contrary, you should just dive in and think "I'll make it", before opening your eyes!
- Close your eyes, then open them slightly when you feel comfortable and continue until you can open them completely underwater.
- The first time you open your eyes underwater, dive with them closed. Open them for 1-2 seconds, then try to keep them open for longer. Soon, you will be able to open them for a long time. However, you do need practice, so train in the sink, bucket, or pool at home if you have one.
