How to Buy Swimming Goggles

Swimming goggles enable you to see underwater, and keep chlorinated pool water or salty ocean water out of your eyes. Swimming goggles also protect contact lenses from water and harmful debris. Use the following instructions to buy the right swimming goggles for you.

Instructions

1. Go to either a sporting goods store or specialty prescription lens goggle retailer. Wear your contact lenses to the shop if purchasing over-the-counter goggles.

2. Choose goggles with UV protective lenses to swim outdoors.

3. Pick goggles with dark lenses for outdoor racing or fitness training. Use clear or lightly tinted lenses for indoor swimming or snorkeling. Select anti-fog lenses.

4. Find pre-made prescription lenses, and try on several pairs to determine the best match for your vision. Opt for custom prescription goggles for unique prescriptions.

5. Try on several pairs of goggles with your desired lens styles. Pull the elastic snugly.

6. Check for a tight seal on the eye socket bone. Check for air leakage and gaps around the eye sockets.

Tips & Warnings

• Some manufacturers sell swappable prescription lens goggles for use with or without contact lenses. Use the non-prescription lenses with your contact lenses, or snap in the prescription lenses for use without contacts. See Resources.

• Clean and dry swimming goggles regularly.

• Wear well-sealed goggles when wearing contact lenses, or opt for prescription goggles instead. Water or debris may enter the contact lenses and cause damage to the lenses or your eyes.

• Fit your goggles to the outer edge of the eye socket bone, not the soft tissue inside the eye socket.