As temperatures rise and people head to the pool or big bodies of water to cool off, Emma Stahr, OD, an instructor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Department of Ophthalmology and pediatric optometrist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, prepares to see children and teens experiencing adverse effects that can stem from water activities.
“In any body of water, and especially in a pool, there may be chemical irritants that can agitate the eyes and may cause an allergic reaction. A lot of the time, getting red eyes after swimming is an allergic reaction,” says Stahr, who completed her fellowship training at CU Anschutz. “There are also a lot of bacteria and other microorganisms that are found in any body of water that can cause eye infections or irritation. Some people are going to be more sensitive than others.”
To help keep water activities refreshing and fun, we spoke with Stahr about common issues people should be aware of and her tips on how to protect the eyes from harm.
The following interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and brevity.