And as a Mayo Clinic eye expert explains, it could cause temporary damage to your vision.

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The next time you dive in, you might want to reconsider opening your eyes underwater.

"Chlorine is a pretty powerful disinfectant and can, in fact, cause some damage to the outer layer cells that protect the cornea," says Dr. Muriel Schornack, a Mayo Clinic optometrist.

The occasional glance should be OK, but extended eye-opening underwater can cause damage.

"The eye becomes red, irritated. You might become photophobic, or sensitive to light. Your vision might blur a little bit, and your eyes are going to feel irritated or even, frankly, painful," says Dr. Schornack.

Most of the time, those symptoms are uncomfortable but temporary. If you really want to look underwater, the doctor-recommended tip:

"… I'm a huge fan of swimming goggles for a couple of reasons. No. 1, you can protect the front surface of the eye. No. 2, a lot of folks who are highly nearsighted or highly farsighted like to wear their contact lenses while they're swimming. And if chlorine soaks into those lenses, now you've got a reservoir of chlorine on the surface of the eye that's likely to do damage," says Dr. Schornack.

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Dr. Dave Patel, a Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist, explains some of the causes of dry eyes, treatments and some symptoms you shouldn't ignore.

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What causes dry eyes?

"Aging, environment, hormones, air travel, the outdoors — there are a lot of factors that contribute to the lubrication of the surface of the eye," says Dr. Patel.

While common, Dr. Patel says having dry eyes is not always something to ignore. "It does and can affect the vision," says Dr. Patel. "It can distort what you see so you wouldn't see as well as you should be."

Treatments

Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops can offer relief. However, if you are using eye drops more than four times a day for long periods of time, Dr. Patel recommends preservative-free, single-use vials. Cleanliness is key. "I just encourage patients to be mindful of keeping their medications free of contaminants, and if you have concerns, discard the unused portion of the eye drops to minimize any risks."

If over-the-counter eye drops don't help, there are prescription treatments available. "There are anti-inflammatory medications, neurostimulators that can trigger or increase tear production and sometimes steroids to reduce inflammatory conditions," says Dr. Patel.

If you notice other symptoms, including vision problems, redness or pain, Dr. Patel says it is time to see your health care professional.

Learn more about eye health and eye exams. There are several factors that can determine how frequently you need an eye exam, including your age, health and risk of developing eye problems.

Related articles:

• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Fish oil supplements and dry eyes
• Weekend Wellness: New treatments for dry eyes may help if standard treatments fail
• Mayo Clinic offers new intense pulsed light therapy for chronic dry eye

For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, and other safety protocols were followed.

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Reporter Jason Howland explains in this Mayo Clinic Minute.

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If you stare at a computer monitor or cellphone too long and then experience temporary blurry vision, it's likely because the moisture layer on the front surface of your eye is getting dry.

"If that tear film is not smooth and even, and of the right quality and quantity, vision does tend to be compromised. So, people may notice that they have clear vision one moment, they blink, and it gets blurred. They blink again, and it gets clear," says Dr. Muriel Schornack, a Mayo Clinic optometrist.

Blinking spreads important tears over the front surface of the eye.

"Whenever we're doing anything that requires distinct attention to visual detail, our blink rate goes down," says Dr. Schornack.

Instead of a normal blink rate of every five to seven seconds, you might only blink every 15 to 20 seconds when looking at a screen.

"Blinking is huge. It's hugely important. It can go a long way toward keeping us more comfortable. It's obviously inexpensive, and it's readily available," says Dr. Schornack.

Next time you find yourself staring at a screen, try the 20-20-20 rule. "Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away, blink 20 times for 20 seconds," she says.

Using over-the-counter eye drops periodically throughout the day also can help.

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For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.

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Children spend a lot of time outside enjoying going to the pool, taking part in sports or just outdoor playtime. Likely, they are outside with sunscreen to protect their skin. But a question that sparks a lot of interest from parent centers around eye protection and sunglasses.

Mayo Clinic Health System providers say children receive more annual sun exposure than adults. This increased exposure to sunlight increases risk of eye damage from ultraviolet (UV) light — an invisible electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun. Unlike adult eyes, children's eyes are still maturing and cannot filter out the harmful UV rays as effectively.

"Children's eyelids and skin around the eye are delicate and more vulnerable than adult skin," says Nitika Arora, M.B.B.S., Mayo Clinic Health System glaucoma specialist in ophthalmology in La Crosse.  "Damage from UV rays builds up over time. Long-term eye problems not specific to children could include cataracts and age-related macular degeneration that can blur vision, dull colors and lead to the development of a pterygium, which is a noncancerous growth of tissue on the surface of the eye."

There also are some short-term physical side effects from too much UV light, including photokeratitis, also known as "snow blindness." This occurs when UV rays reflect off sand, water, ice, and snow, or if you stare at the sun. Photokeratitis is like having a sunburned eye.

Fortunately, sunglasses will protect the skin around the eye and the eye itself. Consider having your children wear sunglasses every day. UV rays can still damage eyes on cloudy days.

Keep these tips in mind with selecting sunglasses for your children:

1. Look for UV protection.

Sunglasses should conform to the American National Standards Institute's guideline ANSI Z80.3, which specifies UV protection and impact protection. "Choose sunglasses that block 99%–100% of both UVA (long-length) and UVB (short- length) rays," says Angela Schneider, optician at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse. "Look for large wraparound-style sunglasses that cover a lot of skin. If your children need to wear corrective lenses, you may want to consider photochromic lenses, also called transition lenses, to eliminate the need for sunglasses. Photochromic lenses automatically change from clear lenses to darkened lenses in the presence of sunlight. These lenses block 100% of the sun's UV rays. "

2. Make sure the sunglasses are durable.

Schneider says active children need sunglasses made of impact-resistant polycarbonate with scratch-proof lenses. She says frames should be bendable but unbreakable so make sure the fit is snug.

3. Consider activities.

Some sunglasses come with amber or green lenses and can increase contrast, which may be useful for sports.

4. Let kids choose.

Arora reminds parents that kids are more likely to wear sunglasses if they've been allowed to pick them out. She says to let them choose among a few pairs of sunglasses.

5. Be the keeper of the sunglasses.

To prevent the sunglasses from being lost, broken, or forgotten, parents may want to consider keeping their children's sunglasses in a safe place when they are not being worn.

6. Listen to your children or observe them.

If your children resist wearing glasses or sunglasses, observing their behavior, or talking to them further might give you a clue to the barriers, such as poor fit or discomfort while wearing them.

7. Set a good example.

"Your eye health is important," Schneider reminds parents.  "Set a good example for your children by wearing your sunglasses consistently, and make wearing them part of your children's routine."

"As an added protection, have your children wear wide-brimmed hats and sunscreen to further reduce their UV exposure," adds Arora.  "Sunglasses block UV rays that come through the lenses. UV rays also can reflect off surrounding surfaces and damage skin around the eyes, ears, forehead, and cheeks. An appropriate hat and sunscreen can block the sun from above and from the sides."

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Mayo Clinic Health System consists of clinics, hospitals and other facilities that serve the health care needs of people in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive highest-quality physical and virtual health care close to home.

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On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. James Garrity, an ophthalmologist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss how your eyes can predict your health. Also on the program, Dr. Christopher Camp, an orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic, will discuss muscle strains and ligament sprains. And Dr. Paul Stadem, a recent Mayo Clinic School of Medicine graduate, will share what life is like for a medical student.

Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

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When it comes to your eye health, Dr. William Brown, a Mayo Clinic optometrist, is quite clear in his recommendations.

"Don’t smoke, eat a well-balanced, healthy diet and wear sunglasses outside," says Dr. Brown.

The nicotine in cigarettes, says Dr. Brown, robs the blood of oxygen. "It constricts blood vessels, and so, basically, it reduces the blood flow to all parts of the body."

Dr. Brown says exercise and diet are important to maintaining overall good eye health. And don’t be shy about wearing your sunglasses.

"Sunglasses absorb ultraviolet light, and, particularly in the young patient where the eye is more susceptible to ultraviolet, that can help reduce the harmful effects of light on the retina," says Dr. Brown. "It's a cumulative thing throughout our lifetime."

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Carrots check a box that government health officials say should be filled every day.

"So the recommendation is that we have one serving of an orange or yellow vegetable each day," says Zeratsky.

Zeratsky says that’s because root veggies like carrots pack a lot of nutritional punch in each crunch.

Carrots contain a compound called beta-carotene that’s converted to vitamin A in your body. Vitamin A promotes eye health, and it also reduces your risk for cancer.

"I think, we often think of the vitamin A," says Zeratsky. "However, carrots have a wealth of nutrition,"

Zeratsky says carrots are an excellent source of soluble fiber. And they're rich in antioxidants too.

"Both of which can be beneficial to the heart," she explains.

The carrot’s potassium aids in controlling blood pressure. And its vitamin C boosts your immune system.

"I think carrots are a great vegetable just because they are so simple," adds Zeratsky. "You can eat them raw. You can eat them cooked. And they help ensure that we get our one serving of orange or yellow vegetable in each day."

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Looking good on Halloween often comes at a price, but that price should be in dollars and cents — not compromising your health. Unfortunately, misuse of decorative contact lenses and supplementing costumes with tinted eyewear may put your well-being at risk.

Decorative contacts are lenses that change the appearance of your eyes without correcting vision. They can modify eye color, include your favorite team’s logo or create a scary, wild eye appearance for a creature you’re embodying on Halloween. They’re also known as cosmetic or fashion lenses and are promoted like an accessory, such as jewelry, scarves or no-correction glasses, in non-eye-care stores. However, decorative lenses are not as harmless as they seem.

“Contact lenses are medical devices that need proper fitting and should be purchased from a store that requires a prescription,” says Bob Friese, O.D., Optometry, Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont. “Buying them elsewhere and not having a proper fitting can lead to significant health risks. The risks to your eyes include corneal abrasions, infections, allergic reactions, decreased vision and blindness.”

Dr. Friese explains that if your eyes become red, sore, painful, light-sensitive or your vision is altered, you should seek prompt treatment from an eye care provider. Left untreated, these issues can lead to blindness.

“The more common sense approach is to see an eye care provider for an exam, lenses fitting and prescription when considering decorative lenses,” adds Dr. Friese.

Additionally, wearing tinted glasses, goggles and masks while walking the streets on Halloween — especially at night — can inhibit your vision, limiting your ability to see vehicles, fall hazards and other people. Dr. Friese recommends reserving any eyesight-impeding props for well-lit indoor functions or avoiding them altogether.

“Enjoy the fun of decorative contacts and Halloween costumes, but do so in a manner that doesn’t put you in danger,” says Dr. Friese.

Learn more about the dangers of decorative contact lenses at www.fda.gov.

# # #

Mayo Clinic Health System consists of clinics, hospitals and other facilities that serve the health care needs of people in more than 60 communities in Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive the highest-quality health care close to home.

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We often don’t think about eye injuries when doing daily activities, but as almost half of all eye injuries each year happen at home, we probably should. October is Eye Injury Prevention Month, although I see it as a year-round goal.

Household injuries

Here are examples of common household activities that can cause an eye injury, according to experts from the American Academy of Ophthalmology:

• Household chemicals or bleach: Getting unexpectedly sprayed or splashed in the eye can cause anything from minor irritation to a chemical burn. If this happens, immediately flush the eye by putting your head under a steady stream of room temperature tap water for 15 minutes. Contact your eye doctor or urgent care facility to determine what is recommended as a next step, based on the chemical.
• Hot grease or oil splatter: As with household chemicals, the most important thing to do is irrigate the eye and contact your eye doctor as soon as possible.
• Drilling or hammering: An activity as simple as hanging a picture can cause a nail or screw to become a projectile or cause fragments to fly off and cause an eye injury. Seek immediate medical help if you are hit in the eye with any foreign object.
• Lawn and garden care: Always wear protective eyewear when mowing the grass, trimming hedges, cutting wood or using power tools. Whether you use a riding or push mower, stop the engine when any one approaches. The mower can cause rocks and other objects on the lawn to fly toward someone and cause injury.
• Securing items to racks: Use caution with any objects that have the potential to snap like bungee cords or rubber bands.

Sports injuries: The eyes have it

Keep eye protection in mind when participating in sports. People often think of sprains and strains as sports-related problems, but eye injuries account for an estimated 100,000 physician visits each year in the United States for school-aged children.  Parents should ensure children protect their eyes when participating in baseball, basketball, hockey, indoor racket sports and cycling, to name a few.

Also, darts, paint ball guns and BB guns may seem like toys, but they can cause serious injuries, including vision loss and blindness.  Be sure to have a discussion with your youngsters about how to use these items carefully, and follow all safety instructions, including protective eyewear.

Eye protection tips   

Here are tips I give my patients when it comes to preserving their eyesight:

• Use protective eyewear while doing projects at home, when working outside and during sports activities.
• When spending time outdoors, wear sunglasses that provide 97-100 percent UV protection.
• Make sure you and your family gets regular eye check-ups and screenings.
• If you have a chronic disease like diabetes, follow through on any physician recommendations related to eye care health.

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Do you and your partner have less time for intimacy than you’d like? Mayo Clinic psychologist and certified sex therapist Dr. Jordan Rullo has tips you can use on the next Mayo Clinic Radio. Also on the program, glaucoma and macular degeneration are leading causes of blindness. We’ll talk with Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist Dr. Sophie Bakri about these and other vision problems.

Please join us!

Myth or Matter-of-Fact: Sex therapy is only for people with serious problems.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.

Click here to listen to the program on Saturday January 31st, at 9:05 a.m. and follow #MayoClinicRadio.

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Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates.

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