Aquarius Technologies: How To Prevent Sore, Red Eyes When Swimming in a Pool

Red eyes after swimming in a pool are commonly caused by irritation of the eye’s outer membrane (conjunctiva). 

Leading Causes

1. Chlorine and Chloramines:
   • Chlorine disinfects pool water, but it can irritate the eyes. More irritating, however, are chloramines – formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter, like sweat, urine and skin cells. They cause that familiar “pool smell” and red eyes.
2. Improper Pool pH:
3. A pool with a pH that is too high or too low can exacerbate eye irritation. 
4. Contaminants:
5. Contaminants from swimmers can degrade water quality, increasing irritation risk.
6. Contact Lenses:

People with allergies or dry eyes are more prone to chemical sensitivity.

Prevention Tips

1. Wear Swim Goggles:
   • Use well-fitting goggles to keep water out of your eyes entirely.
2. Shower First: 
3. Rinsing off removes contaminants that react with chlorine.
4. Avoid Peeing in the Pool:
5. Helps reduce chloramine formation.
6. Manage Pool Chemistry:
7. Pool water should be regularly checked and balanced. Use a commercial pool and spa water treatment controller like the Aquarius ULTIMA SP22. 
8. Avoid Wearing Contacts in the Pool:
9. If you must, use daily disposables with tight goggles, or consider prescription goggles.
10. Use Artificial Tears:
11. Rinse your eyes after swimming with preservative-free saline or artificial tears.

Correcting pool chemistry is essential for preventing red eyes. Here’s a breakdown – and always consult your local state/territory guidelines for specifications.

Maintain Proper pH (7.2–7.8)

Why it matters: The pH of human tears is about 7.4. If pool water is too acidic (low pH), it can sting your eyes. If it’s too basic (high pH), it can also irritate and reduce chlorine’s effectiveness.

Ideal range: 7.2 to 7.8 (ideally 7.4–7.6)

Adjustment:

1. If pH is too low: Add sodium carbonate (soda ash).
2. If pH is too high: Add muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate.

Keep Free Chlorine Levels in Range

Why it matters: free chlorine sanitizes, but once it binds with contaminants and forms chloramines, it loses effectiveness and becomes an irritant.

Ideal level: 1–3 ppm (parts per million) of free available chlorine. 

Tips:

1. Shock the pool weekly or when chloramine levels are high, by adding a high dose of chlorine to break down chloramines.
2. Test for combined chlorine (chloramines) and keep it below 0.2 ppm. 

 

Monitor and Control Total Alkalinity (TA)

Why it matters: TA buffers pH and keeps it stable. 

Ideal range: 80–120 ppm. 

Adjustment:

1. Low TA: Add sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
2. High TA: Add acid to lower pH, then aerate to raise pH without affecting TA much.

Manage Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer)

Why it matters: Stabilizer protects chlorine from UV breakdown, but too much reduces chlorine’s effectiveness.

Ideal range: 20–50 ppm for outdoor pools. 

Too high: Dilute pool water by draining and refilling.

Regular Water Testing

Use strips or a liquid kit daily during frequent use. For precision, use a digital tester or seek professional testing.

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