Chlorine resistance
Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Evonne
According to scienceline.org, an overly chlorinated pool puts users at risk for chemical conjunctivitis, a swimming pool-induced type of pink eye. Itching, burning and stinging are some of its symptoms. Goggles keep this type of irritation at bay.
Visual aid
Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Jean-Marc Kuffer
Wearing goggles eliminates the discomfort of opening your eyes under water. Goggles also help swimmers see where they are going. This helps when performing skilled moves such as flip turns. A swimmer needs to see the end of the pool to avoid smashing her head or feet into the wall.
Bacteria resistance
Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Cam Russell
Goggles aid in keeping salt water out of your eyes. Freshwater bodies of water can harbor bacteria, pond scum and algae that can be harmful to your eyes and responsible for blurry vision after this type of swimming.
UV protection
Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Sir Mervs
Goggles that contain UV protection also protect eyes from the sun's rays. Sunburned eyes can cause long-term damage to your corneas. This is a hazard for lap swimmers who generally do multiple laps over long periods of time outside.
Warnings
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American Red Cross Swim Instructor Anne Carter advises children to not wear goggles during lessons. This can help in cases when children fall into water accidentally. Learning without goggles helps children know how to react if goggles are not nearby. "Panic tends to set if they can't see properly," Carter said.
