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Answer:While a lot of people like wearing contacts for sports activities, swimming is one that should be skipped while wearing contact lenses. The Food and Drug Administration advises not wearing contact lenses while swimming because of the danger of contamination from bacteria and chlorine, which can result in an eye infection. Soft contact lenses actually absorb chemicals from the water in which you are swimming.

Another swimming-related problem is that contact lenses can adhere to the eye after swimming. If that happens, the contact lenses can usually be loosened by applying several drops of rewetting solutions or saline in the eye, suggests the Cleveland Clinics' Cole Eye Institute. If they do not loosen within a half-hour, contact your eye care professional.

Learn about eye infections in our Health Library.

Visit our Contact Lenses pages for contact lenses, supplies, and online ordering information.

View the Walgreens.com Ask a Pharmacist Archives for a list of all commonly asked questions.

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