Swimming with Glaucoma

[FlavianEyes]

Hi. What are your experiences with swimming in the sea, or pool? Is it ok to do so?

[Oldie42]

I guess it depends on how bad your pressures are. Do you take precautions when showering? If you don’t wear goggles when swimming, then perhaps this may help! Also if in doubt use your eye drops after swimming. An extra drop is better than having washed away all your medicines!

[FlavianEyes in reply to Oldie42]

Thank you for your advice. No, I do not take precautions when showering. I actually never thought of that.

[salla22 in reply to Oldie42]

Like the comment using eyedrops after swim

[UK23]

I've changed to using a swim mask instead of goggles because of my glaucoma - on the advice of my consultant. Apart from that, all fine.

[FlavianEyes in reply to UK23]

Thanks for your response. I tend to not get my head under the water because I have had issues with earwax/clogging. Therefore, I limit myself to swimming or waddling with my head above water. However, every now and then I get that urge to just do it!!

[Dumyat26]

I swam 40 - 60 lengths freestyle in 25m pool 3 times weekly for 12 years after retiral. Used close fitting goggles. Never any problem and I checked goggles with consultant who was not concerned. Only stopped couple of years ago due to injuries following an accident (not swimming related). Drops were taken in morning and evening so not affected.

[FlavianEyes in reply to Dumyat26]

Thanks for your reply. I hope you have recovered from the accident

[Dumyat26 in reply to FlavianEyes]

Yes, thanks

[NewSh0e]

coincidentally I had the same question when I went open water swimming for the first time at the weekend.

What I found online suggested no issue at all with swimming but the smaller and tighter your goggles are the bigger the (short term) impact on eye pressures.

Afterwards, I found a post from somebody on here, who recommended a particular type of goggles; I can’t remember the name but I’m sure if you search on the forum you would be able to find the post. Good luck!

[FlavianEyes in reply to NewSh0e]

Thank you for the info. I have been reading about certain goggles that would help. May try them out

[CoastwalkerPembs]

I use Aquasphere goggles which do not put pressure on the eyeball and have found them to be excellent. I have 2 pairs, a clear pair for indoor swimmimng and a tinted pair for outdoors to minimise glare.

[Britsontour in reply to CoastwalkerPembs]

I use those too…..I swim 40 lengths 3 times a week and never a problem.