What Causes Burning Eyes in Swimming Pool Water

Most of us have experienced some level of discomfort or burning of the eyes after an afternoon of swimming. This is a very common occurrence during swimming season for people who spend a lot of time in the pool. Most people think the reason their eyes are burning is because of too much chlorine in the swimming pool. This may be the case in rare instances, but in most cases burning eyes from swimming pool water is not caused by chlorine.

It is a common misconception that the chlorine in the pool will cause a swimmer's eyes to burn. In order for chlorine to be the cause, the chlorine level would have to be extremely high. The only time this should be the case for residential swimming pools is when the pool is shocked. Swimming immediately after shocking the pool or before the chlorine level drops back to normal levels would not be a good idea and could surely cause burning eyes. But normal chlorine levels of 1 - 3 ppm shouldn't create this problem.

The more likely reason peoples eyes sting or burn after swimming is the pH is not in balance. Keeping in mind that the tears produced by human eyes has a pH of 7.0, if the pH of the pool water is below that level, it will certainly cause the eyes to burn along with other human skin reactions. Typically the only way this happens is if the pool water is not routinely tested. Some pool owners don't do proper testing and if all the parameters of the pool water are not in line, the pH can end up getting very low.

For maximum swimmer comfort and to avoid many other expensive swimming pool problems related to low pH, it is extremely important to routinely test the pool water parameters and keep them at the recommended levels. It is highly recommended to buy a good swimming pool test kit and learn how to use it properly or take a sample of you pool water into the local pool store on a weekly basis. The proper pH level for swimming pools is in the range of 7.2 to 7.8. If your pool's pH is kept within this range, burning eyes shouldn't be a problem for swimmers in your pool.

 

 

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