Short sighted swimming!

[ChipOffTheOldBloch]

I swam a lot in my youth. Being fairly short sighted was one of the reasons I gave up.

Of course I've had the occasional swim and holidays etc since and I've just dealt with it - daily contacts which I chuck afterwards if just messing around, or just risking my 2week contacts+goggles if swimming.

But I'd really like to start swimming regularly again. What do people do? Are prescription goggles any good? And if so, I'd want to keep them on until I find my glasses/lenses, except I can't remember seeing someone walking around poolside and into changing rooms with goggles still in place, is that weird? I suppose I don't care that much if it is if the alternative is walking around -8.5 unaided 😆 Or steamed-up glasses kept poolside? Just wear contacts and goggles then deal with it afterwards?

I'm doing my best to overcome various barriers to getting myself swimming again, but I really don't want this particular one to be the deal-breaker! So if anyone would like to share their solutions I'd be really grateful 😊

I bought some prescription goggles from Asda and they're great! I just keep them on until I have a shower, then put my glasses on. Being able to see whilst swimming was a revelation! They weren't dear, less than £20 iirc.

Oh prescription goggles sound fab

I've bought from here before. www.prescription-swimming-goggles.co.uk/christmas-gift-ideas

Good service and quick delivery.

Hi, I use prescription goggles and they’ve been great. I’m only -3 so I can manage out of the pool but I would definitely recommend the goggles. The pool I use has benches where you can leave your things so, if yours is similar, you could just leave your glasses at the side.

Used to work for a High Street opticians, prescription googles were a regular order. Do not wear CL when swimming.

Another advocate for prescription goggles here. I can’t wear contacts due to an eye condition. Mine were about £20 three years ago, my prescription has changed a bit in that time but they are good enough to see around the pool and the clock on the wall for knowing when it’s time to get out. The current pair are just reaching the end of their lifespan so I reckon they have been good value and will get a new pair.

I have successfully purchased them from AliExpress before. I have a pair of old glasses I use to get back from the poolside to the changing rooms but if I forget them I just wear goggles the whole way back.

I do struggle with them getting steamed up but that's a problem for normal goggles as well.

Prescription goggles, total revelation. Saved me walking into the mens’ changing room again (horribly embarrassing!)

My partner uses prescription goggles. He just got the cheap ones from decathlon and they’re good enough, he’s very happy with them.

Wow!!! I always assumed prescription goggles would be very expensive!
I wish I'd gone for them back when I could actually stand the chlorine in the pools!

I wear contacts and goggles. Take glasses and remove contacts immediately after shower. Always assumed prescription goggles would be too expensive.

I got my prescription goggles from Speedo for about £20. They're great. You could always take a spare pair of glasses that you could wear to and from the pool side as well if that helps. If it's just a spare pair you won't worry as much about them sitting on the side of the pool while you swim.

Prescription-swimming-goggles co uk.... game changer... really quick service... can get different prescription for each eye if you need them!.

Just brilliant!

My Prescription is lower than yours, but I got prescription goggles for about £20 from eBay. They’re not my exact strength (I got -2 and I’m -2.25) but certainly good enough to see the lane markers at the opposite end and the clock etc. which is what I wanted them for.

Some people bring their towel, water bottle, flip flops etc poolside so I can’t see why you couldn’t bring your glasses.

I had no idea prescription goggles were so cheap! I'm sure when I last looked they were several hundreds of pounds. I'm definitely going to invest in some

Not very helpful but I’m -9.50 in both eyes with astigmatism and I just hope and pray I don’t lose my glasses and go for it! 🙈

Ah thanks all. I'll definitely look into some new goggles, thanks for the recommendations! I'm pretty reliant on contacts, but I know wearing them in water is bad...

Our local pool doesn't have anywhere to store things, glasses etc, poolside. But I'm going to have a look at a new pool in a nearby gym which will hopefully have a bit more space and be a bit quieter.

I loved swimming for my club as a teen, but struggled with seeing the clock, making and keeping (recognising!) friends and just the general disorientation of not being able to see very well. I can't believe I never spelled out the problem to my parents/coaches really, but I am also a bit 🤔 that no one ever picked it up! I'm glad there are easy goggle-y ways to solve this for kids and everyone nowadays!

Prescription goggles are brilliant.

You really shouldn't swim in contact lenses, you risk causing a lot of damage to your eyes.

Prescription goggles are amazing, got mine from decathlon.

Prescription goggles are great when actually in the pool but I can’t find varifocal ones which means I struggle to see my watch when swimming and also means I struggle when I get out as my vision isn’t what I’m used to. But better than nothing.
I bring my towel and leave it with my glasses on a ledge near the pool.

I got prescription goggles from specsavers. They are about 15 years old and single vision but are good enough for my occasional swimming sessions.