How Chlorine and Saltwater Really Affect Your Eyes

Read time: 5 minutes

Swimming is one of life’s simple pleasures—refreshing, restorative, and often part of cherished vacation memories. Yet anyone who has spent time in a pool or the ocean knows the familiar aftermath: red eyes, irritation, blurry vision, or that gritty, “dry” feeling that lingers long after you towel off.

While water seems harmless, both chlorine and saltwater interact with the eyes in very specific—and very different—ways. Understanding these effects can help protect your eye health and enhance visual comfort just as much as choosing the right pair of sunglasses or prescription swim goggles.

The Truth About Chlorine: Why Pools Irritate Your Eyes

Chlorine is essential for disinfecting pools, but it isn’t chlorine alone that causes stinging or redness. The real culprit is often chloramines, chemical compounds formed when chlorine mixes with sweat, body oils, cosmetics, or urine in the water. Common effects of chlorinated water include:

• Disruption of the tear film: Chlorine and chloramines strip away the tear film’s natural oils, leading to dryness and a gritty sensation.
• Conjunctival irritation: The clear tissue covering the white of the eye becomes inflamed, causing redness.
• Temporary blurred vision: When the tear film becomes unstable, optical quality drops until the eyes rebalance.
• Increased susceptibility to infection: Chlorine reduces bacteria—but not completely. A compromised tear film makes it easier for microbes to adhere to the eye’s surface.

Learn more about chlorine-related eye irritation in this article from the American Academy of Ophthalmology:

A note for contact lens wearers:

Soft contact lenses absorb pool chemicals, trapping irritants against the eye and increasing infection risk. Swimming in lenses is strongly discouraged unless you wear sealed prescription goggles. The CDC strongly advises against wearing contact lenses in any water environment:

Saltwater: Less Harsh, But Not Always Gentle

Ocean water is closer to the body’s own salt concentration than pool water, which is why many people find it more comfortable. Even so, saltwater has its own optical impact. Common effects of saltwater include:

• Osmotic dehydration of the ocular surface: High salt concentration pulls moisture away from the eye, contributing to dryness.
• Irritation from particles: Sand, minerals, and microorganisms suspended in ocean waves can irritate or scratch the ocular surface.
• Transient blurred vision: When saltwater disrupts the tear film, clarity shifts until the tear layer stabilizes.

Saltwater exposure is generally less chemically disruptive than chlorine, but irritation is still common - particularly for individuals prone to dry eye.

Learn more about dry eye symptoms and causes from the National Eye Institute.

Why Both Environments Make Your Eyes Red

Redness is simply the result of superficial blood vessels dilating in response to irritation. When the tear film breaks down - whether from chloramines in a pool or salt exposure in the ocean - the eye reacts with inflammation, dryness, and increased sensitivity.

This is a surface-level response, but for people with underlying dry eye disease, allergies, or sensitivity to environmental changes, these symptoms can feel more intense.

Can Swimming Damage Your Eyes?

Most pool or ocean-related symptoms are temporary and reversible, but certain risks are worth understanding. Potential complications include:

• Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea, often due to irritation or infection.
• Corneal abrasions: More likely from debris in saltwater or rubbing irritated eyes after swimming.
• Microbial infections: Bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites enter and multiply in the eye
• Pools: Bacterial infections can occur if the water isn’t properly maintained.
• Oceans: Exposure to natural microorganisms increases risk, especially with compromised corneal surfaces.
• Acanthamoeba keratitis: A rare but devastating infection strongly associated with wearing contact lenses in water environments.

In the end, good hygiene and avoiding contact lenses in water is your best defense.

How to Protect Your Eyes While Swimming

Healthy habits go a long way toward keeping the ocular surface comfortable and safe. Some smart protective tips include:

• Wear swim goggles: The most protective option for both pool and ocean swimming
• Use preservative-free artificial tears after swimming: Helps replenish moisture and restore the tear film
• Rinse your face: Use fresh, clean water immediately after leaving the pool or ocean
• Avoid rubbing your eyes: Especially when irritated or exposed to salt or chemicals
• Remove contact lenses before swimming: Or switch to daily disposables combined with sealed goggles

For those with chronic dry eye or sensitive eyes additional measure should be considered, including:

• Applying lubricating drops before swimming may reduce dryness afterward.
• Using a thicker gel or ointment prior to underwater training sessions (especially in chlorinated pools) can build a temporary protective layer.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) offers additional recommendations for eye safety while swimming.

If Symptoms Persist, Your Eyes May Be Telling You Something

Occasional redness or irritation after swimming is normal. But if you notice prolonged dryness, recurring discomfort, or increased sensitivity to water exposure, it may signal an underlying issue such as:

• Dry eye disease
• Meibomian gland dysfunction
• Allergic conjunctivitis
• Contact lens intolerance

A comprehensive exam can identify subtle causes and prevent long-term complications which are all essential to preserving clear, comfortable vision.

The Takeaway

Chlorine and saltwater affect your eyes in different ways, but both environments disrupt the tear film—the eye’s first line of defense. Redness, dryness, and irritation are common responses, especially without protective eyewear or if you have preexisting ocular surface sensitivities.

With simple preventive steps, you can protect your eye health while enjoying everything from laps in the pool to days spent in the waves. And if your eyes frequently feel irritated after swimming, the team at Urban Optiks Optometry is here to ensure your vision stays as clear and comfortable as possible - whether you’re underwater or soaking up the sun.