Looking for some suggestions on contacts vs. prescription goggles. For most of my pool swims I use Speedo Vanquisher or TYR Tracer Racer prescription goggles. They are comfortable, but not amazing, plus you can only get them in clear or smoke.
I've done open water up to 10K with contacts and the Aquasphere Kayennes. Most comfortable, great vision, but no prescription. I had zero problems during my 3+ hour 10K, but I'm worried about longer swims (6+ hours).
Do the eyes dry out with contacts when sealed in goggles? Am I better off sacrificing a little comfort for prescription?
Former Member
I find my eyes dry out/get irritated in contacts in chlorinated pools, so always practice in prescription goggles. I have no problem wearing contacts for teaching in a salt-water pool, but then again it is outdoor and I'm not concentrating on the clock etc. Also I swam my one & only lake swim in my contacts with no problems, but that was only 1500m:blah::blah:
If I were contemplating a 6 hour OW swim I'd go for the contacts as I think my issue is pool chemicals.
YMMV :)
I wear prescription Barracudas and I find them very comfortable -- there is a foam ring around the eyepiece. Some people think they look dorky. *shrug* One nice benefit is that they don't leave grooves in your skin.
With open water, I worry about what bacteria might be in the water, and what that might do to my eyes with the contacts in, especially if the contacts are kept in my eyes for any length of time. At least, my optometrist told me that I should worry about that, and I am inclined to believe him.
I need to wear a contact in right eye but require no correction in the left. I have not noticed any difference between the two eyes re dryness, etc. when swimming pool or ows. I primarily use non-script Tyr Velocity goggles.
ww
If you can swing it, I would highly recommend getting laser surgery. Best thing I've ever spent money on for myself. No more peeling contacts off my eyeballs after my goggles leak during practice, no losing contacts in the ocean while surfing, and I can actually see what time it is when I first wake up in the morning!
Sable goggles are available with prescription lenses. They're comfortable, and the optics are great. I love them for open water sighting. Plus they look cool. This is a review I did of them. www.watergirl.co/.../sable-goggles-product-review
I hadn't heard of Sable goggles, so I googled the goggles and learned that Oprah wears them and featured them on her show. :bump:
But hey, they might be good goggles, anyway! :bolt:
I've done open water up to 10K with contacts and the Aquasphere Kayennes. Most comfortable, great vision, but no prescription. I had zero problems during my 3+ hour 10K, but I'm worried about longer swims (6+ hours).I would hope that all 6+ hour swims are escorted swims. If so, there is no need to spot buoys or other distant objects, so unless you can’t see a kayak 10 feet away, I’d suggest going with what is most comfortable and skip the contacts.:2cents:
Sable goggles are available with prescription lenses. They're comfortable, and the optics are great. I love them for open water sighting. Plus they look cool. This is a review I did of them. www.watergirl.co/.../sable-goggles-product-review
That said, I always wear contacts and non-prescription Sables. Pool, ocean, lake--it doesn't matter. I never have problems, no matter how long I'm in the water.
I am completely blind without contacts. The only time I can remember swimming without them, I mistook a surfer for a white horse.
