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Germs in the pool are a health hazard to the eyes
The summery temperatures attract many people to swimming lakes or to the outdoor pool. The cooling in the swimming pool can sometimes be harmful to your health. Ophthalmologists warn that in swimming pools threatens a risk of infection. You therefore advise to wear swimming goggles.
Despite chlorine, germs accumulate in the bath water
Hardly anything is more beautiful in summer than swimming. The pleasant cooling but sometimes also carries a health risk. Ophthalmologists advise swimming wearers to wear swimming goggles because of the risk of infection. As the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) announced in a message from the news agency AFP, collected in spite of the chlorine in the bath water in the basin dirt particles and germs that can penetrate into the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye and cause inflammation there.
Germs in the pool are bad for the eyes. Image: Alexander Raths - fotolia Mix of sweat, urine and chemicals causes red eyes
In addition, a reaction of chlorine with urine, sweat and dirt could cause irritant chemical compounds. These can attack the protective tear film of the eyes. As a result, it can cause red eyes or burning and watery eyes. Interesting in this context is a report recently published by the US Water Quality and Health Council. They had pointed out that neither the chlorine smell nor the red eyes come directly from the chlorine, but rather arise through a sweat, urine & chemistry mix. The experts had advised to take a shower before going to the pool. The eye problems after bathing usually end in a few hours. In order to relieve the burning, one can resort among other things to eye drops with tear replacement fluid.
Experts advise to wear swimming goggles
According to the DOG, well-fitting swimming goggles keep away not only the aggressive substances, but also dirt and bacteria. Especially contact lens wearers should protect their eyes. This is also because contact lenses can catch on the eye while swimming, which can lead to painful abrasions on the cornea. Furthermore, dangerous germs such as acanthamoeba or fungi can nest unnoticed in the soft material of the contact lens and multiply there. If the problem is not treated early enough, according to the experts threaten permanent visual impairment to blindness. (Ad)