How safe / dangerous is swimming when you have glaucoma?

[Alanthered]

Going on holiday in two weeks & I love to dive into the pool and swim underwater (1.5 metres below surface) for as long as I can hold my breath! Would this be considered 'risky' for a glaucoma sufferer?

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Good morning Alanthered

Yes, that all sounds fine. Holding your breath can raise your eye pressure temporally at the time but it would then revert back when you start breathing again. You could always check with your eye specialist who knows what past treatments eg surgery, you have had.

Happy holiday!

[Alanthered in reply to Helen_GlaucomaUK]

Thanks Helen. On a similar vein, it has not been my habit to wear goggles - do you have any advice (to wear or not to wear) as most of my swimming is on the surface (only my initial plunge, as per the original post, takes me to depth)

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator in reply to Alanthered]

Goggles are a good idea. Not the small type that will put pressure on your eye but the larger ones that will sit on your brow. If you have had any type of eye surgery you should wear them but if you have eye drops, it would be a good idea not to irritate the surface of the eye from the water in the pool.

[Alanthered in reply to Helen_GlaucomaUK]

thanks again Helen for your reply.

Do you have any recommendations for goggles? Think I read on here somewhere that Aquaspere are good for glaucoma sufferers. The names of any other makes would be most appreciated. Alan

[FennelTea in reply to Alanthered]

I’ve been using Aquasphere for just over a year now for sea swimming. I have a tinted one for summer and a normal one for winter. They work great, although I don’t put my head under the water, I’ve never had any leaking issues from waves and the seal is good.

I came across this forum last year when I was searching for something suitable for swimming myself and someone had recommended them.

[Cornwalleyes]

Hi I use Aquasphere reef goggles when I swim in the sea, I found the salt water reacted with my eye drops and made my eyes sore. So I wear goggles most of the time, unless the sea is flat calm. I’m also shortsighted and you can get them made up with your prescription. Been using them for around two years, 3/4 times a week and they still fit fine.

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Thank you Cornwalleyes for your advice. Aquasphere googles are the ones I have heard of too. Not aware of other types, although there could be.

[Alanthered]

Thanks for the comments & recommendations. I have invested in a pair of Aquasphere goggles & they seem very comfortable (on dry land anyway!)