Actor Kartik Aaryan recently shared a concerning experience with his eyes during an interview. The actor played Murlikant Petkar, the first Paralympics gold medallist of India in Chandu Champion (2024), and during training spent a large amount of time in the water, with some sessions even extending up to eight hours. The actor got concerned when he began seeing a “film” over his eyes. “For the first 5, 6 days, I felt that something was wrong with my eyes. Meri ankho ke samne ek film ban jati thi… ek dum blur dikhayi dekha tha’” (A film would form over my eyes, and my vision got blurry.” When Aaryan went to the doctors, they told him that spending eight hours in chlorine water was the main culprit.
“Of course, I was suspect, but I was thinking, is it that I’m Googling things and thinking, is it that my eyes have some problem, is it 8 hours in chlorine? Is it bad?” He added, “In Google, everything gets bad. So I was a bit paranoid at that time.” Reflecting on the experience, Aaryan told Mashable India, “It was an eye-opener for me—I never thought that spending just a few hours in the pool could affect my eyes this much.”
How chlorine exposure affects the eyes during swimming
Kartik Aaryan-like symptoms are common when the eyes are exposed to chlorine for extended periods. Dr Ankit Deokar, Cornea Consultant and Chief Medical Officer at Sankara Eye Hospital, Indore, says, “Chlorine can cause chemical conjunctivitis, or swimmer’s eye, leading to redness, itching, irritation, stinging, burning, dry eyes, inflammation, and sometimes blurry or cloudy vision. Over time, it can weaken the cornea and conjunctiva, making the eyes more vulnerable to infections and persistent inflammation.”
For professional swimmers or those spending several hours daily in pools, repeated exposure to chlorine can have more serious consequences. Chronic exposure may result in persistent dry eye disease, allergic conjunctivitis, corneal micro-abrasions, recurrent infections, and heightened light sensitivity.
Blurry vision or a “film-like” sensation, as Aaryan experienced, typically indicates tear-film instability, which is essential for clear vision. “Chlorine disrupts this tear layer, causing dryness and uneven coverage over the cornea. This can lead to temporary blurred vision, foreign body sensation, or a hazy appearance. Persistent symptoms should be evaluated by an eye specialist,” adds Dr Deokar.
How to keep your eyes safe while swimming
To protect eyes during long swimming sessions, Deokar suggests following tips:
- Wear protective goggles and avoid opening your eyes underwater.
- Avoid contact lenses in pools, as chlorinated water can get trapped under them.
- Rinse eyes, face, and hands with fresh water immediately after swimming.
- Use lubricating eye drops before or after swimming, especially if prone to dryness.
His story is a reminder that even casual swimmers need precautions. With proper care, swimmer’s eye is easily preventable, ensuring long hours in the pool don’t come at the cost of eye health.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
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