As you know (or might have seen), I don’t wear glasses. But many of my colleagues do, and their experience with surfing equipment has been full of ups and downs.
Being stuck with goggles while having the option to opt for contact lenses could have been more pleasant, but we had our doubts about wearing lenses underwater. So, I did some research, turns out…
You can wear contact lenses while surfing. Take proper precautions to ensure the lenses stay in place and are protected from saltwater or sand. To safely wear lenses underwater, use a good quality silicone or hydrogel lens and wear tight-fitting goggles or straps.
Surfing with your contact lenses on can completely change the game. But how do you incorporate lenses into your equipment? Should you do that at all? Let’s get you out of that limbo. First, a pros and cons list.
| Pros | Cons |
| Improved vision | Potential for eye damage |
| Reduced friction | Increased risk of infection |
| Protection from UV light | Difficulty creating a watertight seal |
Why should you wear lenses while surfing?
1. Improved Vision
Nothing can be more frustrating than not seeing the waves clearly and missing your chance to ride them. Using contacts underwater can be a great help.
Contacts can help improve your vision, giving you better clarity and focus, so you can be on top of your game to catch the perfect wave. Additionally, they help reduce glare and improve your vision while you’re at it.
2. Reduced Friction
Contacts are designed to fit snugly against the eyeball and provide a smooth surface, which helps reduce friction and make paddling and riding waves easier. With them, you won’t have to worry about dry or irritated eyes due to saltwater and wind.
3. Protection against UV Light
Good quality lenses can protect against the Sun’s harmful UV rays. Most contact lenses are designed to help reduce the amount of UV light that reaches your eyes. It’s especially helpful for surfers subjected to extended sun exposure while riding the waves.
Why should you avoid contact lenses while surfing?
1. Potential for Eye Damage
Getting water into your eyes is best avoided. Otherwise, the contacts can act as a trap, holding sand or saltwater particles against your eye, leading to irritation and discomfort.
You should also beware that the lenses can cause dry eyes. Lenses can block the eyes’ natural ability to produce tears, leading to decreased vision.
2. Increased Risk of Infection
You may be exposed to bacteria and other organisms that can cause eye infections underwater. Even when lenses are properly cleaned and disinfected, there is still a risk of infection due to the trap I just mentioned.
It’s also important to note that the lenses can be easily damaged or broken. It happens when they’re hit by a surfboard or exposed to too much sunlight.
3. Difficulty Creating a Watertight Seal
This can lead to uncomfortable situations for anyone in the water. Due to this, you may often lose your contacts while surfing.
Switching to a daily disposable contact lens can help avoid losing more expensive lenses because these are intended for single use and are significantly less expensive than standard lenses. Losing them while surfing will be less painful.
Contact Lens Alternatives to Wear While Surfing
1. Swimming Goggles
Swimming goggles are a great alternative to contact lenses for surfers. They provide a secure and comfortable fit, allowing a wide range of vision while keeping the eyes safe from water, wind, and dust.
While contact lenses block a small amount of UV, swimming goggles provide greater protection. It’s especially important if you’re surfing in a sunny location.
Goggles are also much more comfortable than contact lenses because they don’t require regular cleaning or replacement.
They can be easily adjusted to fit your face perfectly for an optimal underwater view. Since they’re designed to be watertight, it makes them the perfect alternative.
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2. Surf Sunglasses
Surfing sunglasses are specially designed for water sports and provide a stylish alternative to contact lenses. They’re made from a special material that resists fogging and offers UV protection, making them a great choice for those who don’t want to wear contacts.
These often come with a range of tinted lenses, which you can change to suit the day’s conditions. Some sunglass models even feature interchangeable lenses that you can swap out quickly.
More importantly, they’re less likely to be lost or damaged while surfing since these glasses are securely attached to your head.
3. Snorkeling Masks
Snorkeling masks are a great option for those who don’t want to wear contacts or goggles. These can be put on and taken off quickly and easily, making them a much more comfortable option than contact lenses.
Designed to provide full coverage for the face, they protect the eyes from the elements quite efficiently. Another of the major benefits of wearing a surf mask is the increased protection it provides from salt water and other debris that otherwise causes irritation and discomfort.
When you start looking for one for yourself, you’ll realize there are so many of them, each with a unique set of features. Knowing what you want from your mask will be important in that case. Purchasing a fog-resistant surf mask model is your best bet with these.
Buy Greatever G2 Full Face Snorkel Mask on Amazon
How to safely wear contact lenses while surfing?
1. Keep them clean and disinfected.
Take a few extra minutes to clean your contacts before and after use thoroughly. It’ll ensure long-term durability and safety.
Saltwater can be particularly damaging to your contacts if you don’t take the right precautions. It contains minerals that can leave deposits on the lens surface, affecting how light passes through the lens and reducing vision quality.
Saltwater also irritates the eyes and can cause dryness, itching, and redness when combined with contact lenses. It’s best to use a pair specifically designed for swimming.
How to clean your contact lenses before and after surfing?
Use a quality non-ionic lens cleaning solution and a soft microfiber cloth for drying. Spray the solution onto the lens and gently wipe them in a circular motion. Once you have completely wiped off the debris and dirt, dry the contact lenses using the microfiber cloth.
Buy Renu Contact Lens Saline Disinfecting Solution on Amazon
How to keep your surfing contact lenses moist?
Use a lens-wetting solution or spray, and spray it directly onto the lens. Let it sit for a few seconds before gently wiping the contact lenses with a soft cloth. Keeping them moist will prevent unwanted damage and scratches.
Buy Boston Contact Lens Rewetting Solution on Amazon
2. Wear Watertight Goggles.
Wear watertight goggles to protect your contact lenses when surfing. These goggles can keep salt water and sand out of your eyes, providing a barrier between your contact lenses and the water.
Additionally, watertight goggles will provide a clear line of vision. And so, these are a must when you go surfing.
Buy Watertight Swim / Surf Goggles on Amazon
3. Make sure the contacts are firmly in place.
Once you’re ready to hit the tides, double-check that your contacts are secure. If they are loose or not firmly in place, take a break from surfing and make the necessary adjustments.
If they aren’t properly secured, contacts can quickly dislodge while you’re surfing. Always use a waterproof lubricant to ensure your contacts stay in place when surfing. The lubricant reduces the friction between the contacts and eyes.
Avoid rubbing your eyes or touching them with your hands, as this can cause the contacts to move. You won’t be able to if you listen to my advice and wear goggles.
4. Keep your eyes closed underwater.
Just keep the eyelids shut to avoid catching eye infections or getting dirty. Make sure to do that before you hit the water.
Not only will your lenses be more prone to shifting and falling out, but they may also be easily damaged.
Also, since they’re porous (unlike the traditional goggles), you can’t risk exposing them to water. Otherwise, your eyes might get infected.
Expert QnA
Q. What should I do if my contacts get wet while surfing?
Rinse your wet contacts with a clean, sterile saline solution. It’ll help flush out any contaminants or debris that could irritate your eyes. Rinse your eyes with clean water to remove salts, sand, or dirt.
Contacts might still be uncomfortable after rinsing. Consider switching to a daily disposable contact lens. These lenses are designed for one-time use, so you can discard them after a single use and start with a fresh pair.
Q. How can I protect my eyes while surfing?
Wear protective goggles to protect your eyes while surfing. It offers protection against harmful UV radiation, bacteria, and dirt. Sunglasses work fine, but protective goggles have an edge due to their watertight seal.
Wash them properly after each session to keep yourself immune to long-term eye diseases. You must also avoid touching your eyes right after a surfing session.
Q. Is it okay to wear sunglasses over contact lenses when surfing?
While many surfers wear sunglasses over contacts, it’s an unsafe activity, and you shouldn’t do it. The sunglasses can prevent oxygen from reaching the contact lenses when worn together, leading to irritation and discomfort.
If you wear contact lenses and want to protect your eyes while surfing, it is recommended that you use contact lenses that are designed to block UV rays.
