Eyes are easy targets for germs in water, especially if you wear contact lenses that absorb moisture, says Terrence P. O'Brien, M.D. an ocular infectious disease specialist and refractive eye surgeon at Wilmer Eye Institute. The problem is worse with people who swim while wearing contact lenses. So it's best not to wear contact lenses while swimming. But choosing the wrong pair of sunglasses can be a dangerous mistake. When it comes to sunglasses, the smartest buy is a pair that absorbs virtually all of the ultraviolet rays, says Johns Gottsch, M.D., associate professor of ophthalmology at Wilmer Eye Institute.
Some inexpensive glasses absorb UV light better than expensive ones.
Polarized lenses cut reflected glare, but don't block all of the UV light. Make sure polarized lenses also offer adequate UV protection. More specifically, healthy pregnant women sometimes have dry eyes, or may have difficulty with their eyeglass or contact lens prescription, says Janet Sunness, M.D., associate professor of ophthalmology at Wilmer Eye Institute. These changes are probably related to hormonal changes. Teen-age girls who share makeup can spread conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the eyelids and the whites of the eyes.