Swimming with Glaucoma

[Carnationmac]

Hi, I love swimming be it in a pool or the sea. Do I need to take any precautions, please, if I had to wear goggles what type and where to buy. Any advice please. I use dorzolamide, which is ok except for the bitter after taste which I can get hours after using it and latanoprost which again is fine , also, had 2 lots of laser on both eyes.

[Jennymary]

I've never been a strong swimmer, but I've enjoyed getting into the water, never worn goggles , but the advice on buying goggles would be to go to a leisure centre or swimming pool and get advice from the staff there, I'm a, receptionist in a, leisure centre and the advice we give is to make sure the seal all around is on your skin so no drop of water can seep through, hope this helps

[Carnationmac in reply to Jennymary]

Thanks for your reply. I’ll have a chat at my leisure centre. I never used to wear goggles, fingers x I don’t have to 😀

[CoastwalkerPembs]

I would make sure that the goggles are sufficiently large to make an effective seal around the eye without placing pressure on the eyeball. Unfortunately, most swimming goggles don't satisfy this requirement. I have had trabs in both eyes and use Aquasphere Vista goggles which do the trick for me, are suitable for the pool or open water and come in clear or tinted lenses. Hope this helps.

[Carnationmac in reply to CoastwalkerPembs]

Thanks for your reply. Yes it definitely helps me looking for goggles as I do miss my swimming, thanks again.

[Rachel_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to CoastwalkerPembs]

Great advice CoastwalkerPembs ! Carnationmac exactly as Coastwalker has said wearing swimming goggles can temporarily raise eye pressure so if you go swimming, it’s best to wear larger goggles. Smaller ones press on the orbit of the eye which increases eye pressure. It is even more important to wear larger swimming goggles if you have had eye surgery, especially a trabeculectomy as smaller goggles may press on the bleb.

[lswk in reply to CoastwalkerPembs]

Thanks for the sharing CoastwalkerPembs.

I had my trab in early 2021. Though I am not very keen on swimming, I think it would be good to do so as an exercise option. The only thing I worried is, while it is low, the risk of eye infection by the pool water.

May I check how good is the Aquasphere Vista goggles avoiding water getting in? The goggles I had in the past would still allow some water getting in after swimming for a while.

[CoastwalkerPembs in reply to lswk]

Hi lswk. With trabs in both eyes I had the same concerns, especially as I also swim in the sea. I have found the Aquasphere goggles to be pretty good as the strap is easily adjusted to ensure a proper seal. As always, though,individual facial contours will influence the effectiveness of the seal. I originally purchased a pair of these goggles primarily to avoid pressure on my eyeballs, but also because the seal has been designed to cover a wide range of facial features and reviews seemed to support this. I have occasionally had a little water ingress when I haven’t quite adjusted them properly but generally I am very happy and confident to swim with them. I use a pair with tinted lenses for swimming in the sea and am purchasing another pair with clear lenses for the local swimming pool now that it is open again.I hope that this helps.