Contacts And Swimming?

[Somnambulist]

Hi, after 38 years of wearing glasses I've gotten myself contacts. I have blue eyes now! But I like to swim, too. Can I keep my contacts in and just wear goggles over them? I suspect the answer is a resounding "NO", but I have to ask. If not, is there a place to get prescription goggles anywhere in Thailand. I've asked at several places in Chiang Mai and they've all said no.

I'm not even going to ask about scuba diving. I know that would be a very dumb question.

BTW, I'm flying down to Krabi this week (no stop in Bangkok) so if you have info about shopping for goggles down there, It'd be especially helpful. tia

Edited December 11, 2007 by Somnambulist

[girlx]

i always swim with my contacts in, just don't open your eyes underwater... i am sure you can do so with goggles...

[jfchandler]

Likewise, I always swim with my contacts, though they are hard lenses... rigid gas permeable. Just try to limit having my eyes open under water.... Never have any problem.

But, I'm guessing (though you didn't say) that you use soft lenses... And I'm not sure how salt and/or chlorinated water affects those.

--John.

[tim armstrong]

Likewise, I always swim with my contacts, though they are hard lenses... rigid gas permeable. Just try to limit having my eyes open under water.... Never have any problem.

But, I'm guessing (though you didn't say) that you use soft lenses... And I'm not sure how salt and/or chlorinated water affects those.

--John.

I have soft toric lenses. I have been both diving and swimming with them. Make sure you have good quality goggles that seal well, or a diving face mask- from a dive shop. Soft contacts are not affected by salt water, - in fact it keeps them clean. If you swim without goggles in a very chlorinated pool you may have some irritation. Good idea to buy the ones that come in a pack of 3 or 6 pairs so you have a spare to hand . Tim