Swimming in treated or untreated water, relaxing in a Jacuzzi or engaging in a variety of water sports are popular pastimes for many but you should exercise caution when wearing contact lenses.

Water - even if chlorinated at a public pool - may contain harmful bacteria that may come into contact with your eyes or even become lodged behind your lenses against the surface of your eye. These microorganisms can cause potentially serious eye infections. Acanthamoeba keratitis, for example, is a parasitic infection which can cause blindness if left untreated.

Swimming with good quality goggles can be a valuable way to help to prevent your contact lenses from coming into contact with water. Always ensure that your goggles are adjusted to ensure a watertight fit.

If your eyes do become splashed with water while swimming, bathing or participating in water sports, you should never assume that your contact lenses will provide an effective barrier and protect your eyes. Remove your lenses at the earliest opportunity and leave them immersed in a contact lens solution to enable any microorganisms to be killed off. You can always rely upon disposable lenses in the interim as an alternative.

Is it safe to clean and store my contact lenses in water?