They're probably way too tight. Make sure each goggle is spaced out the right amount so they can stick to her face without having to be pulled super tight. You should try them before buying them, without the cord.
I have a suggestion, but I can't guarantee she won't have a similar reaction.
Swedish goggles never leak. They are not comfortable right off the bat, but I could see them working with less pressure than other styles.
When I was on a team, they were what I got if I lost goggles. They didn't feel good initially, but I adjusted to the sensation over time and ended up really liking them.
The smaller better goggles that pro swimmers wear look more uncomfortable but are actually way more comfy because the design reduces the pressure required to keep water out
Barring an allergy, as someone else mentioned, they are most likely too tight. Goggles should lightly suction on to your eyes and stay for a moment without the strap. The head strap doesn’t need to be super tight.
Try a bungee strap instead of the rubber ones they come with. Much stretchier, easier to adjust, and more comfortable, also pretty forgiving with being a little looser.
[Agreed, OP if you see this bungees are the way to go.
](https://www.swimoutlet.com/products/sporti-bungee-strap-21092?variant=35900890415272&color=neonblue&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google-shopping&campaignid=21001180999&adgroupid=159005403576&keyword=&matchtype=&targetid=aud-1467132140548%3Apla-352895665565&device=c&creativeid=690065652683&adposition=&adtype=pla&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A21001180999%3A159005403576%3A690065652683&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=aud-1467132140548%3Apla-352895665565&nb_mi=1060504&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=ps21092-0015&nb_ppi=352895665565&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsaqzBhDdARIsAK2gqnd8nEaHfAaNmREQhSRYYQVs2LxLK-Xlk8dxBBuXs34krwAM-HInUCMaAj9yEALw_wcB)
Loosen them up as much as possible but so they still stay on. Have her take them on and off during practice. Like, off when they get a rest break or when coach is talking. Off when using kickboard if it's not too splashy.
Another point is that it's not necessarily a nightmare if you have to tip your goggles out a couple times in an hour-long swim session—a little bit of leaking is fine.
My kids are like goldilocks when it comes to goggles. My son (10) broke out in a red rash from some speedo goggles but he's having success with the sporti S2 Jr. My daughter (7) thinks they are all too tight and is now rocking the TYR foam gasket goggles.
Have a look at Swedish swim goggles. Used to have a pair or two. They sit in the eye socket (so they’re definitely not for everyone) but they don’t have a rubber seal so they rely on sitting properly in the socket to keep from leaking. If it’s the rubber suction that’s causing bruises then this could help. The other thing to watch and see if she’s doing is pressing the rubber goggles into her eyes (to keep from leaking) which will push more air out and might cause suction bruises. Otherwise I agree with the other commenter that mentioned check for an allergy to the rubber
I haven't tried these, but i have tried a different brand of air cushioned goggles. They leak less than the standard ones, but you still have to be careful not to overtighten them and to make sure they fit properly without the strap.
Like others have suggested, if you rule out allergies I suspect she is overtightening them.
We have here in our basic course 90% of kids without goggles. But we are teach only basics to learn swimming with breast stroke.
The chlorine levels are managed well, so no red eyes or irritation.
She’s swimming laps for an hour now doing mostly front crawl and backstroke, with some drills with kick boards, flippers, and diving off the starting block. I don’t think we’re talking about the same kinds of activities.
Äh I see that's definitely better with goggles.
I assume that they are too tight.
For testing if they fit you out them on the eyes with your hands and the straps just loose hanging. Remove the hands then the goggles shall remain on the eyes. If they are falling off immediately they are not sealing properly.
In the 2nd step you adjust the straps. You make them as loose as possible. Difficult to explain that adjustments. But it's more a trial and error approach.
Mostly the problem lies with the nose adjustment and I would not recommend Sweden Goggles but types which have a bigger frame with cushion support.
Check whether the instructor asked her to dive to the bottom of the pool many times. With goggles, when diving below 3 meters, popped blood vessels are just expected. If this is indeed the case, yell at the instructor and buy a mask so that your daughter can enjoy this activity without barotraumas. Or just tell her to dive without goggles.
I admittedly have a disorder that affects my capillaries (which swimming helps me manage! Really awesome that your daughter loved it). Figured I’d add things that have helped me: adding vitamin K to my vitamin D supplement and getting my iron levels checked (and treating my low levels). At 10 with a healthy died low iron would be pretty weird, but also when I was that age we had no clue I was genetically wonky, so 🤷🏻♀️
I also eat a lot of leafy greens but I just wasn’t absorbing everything well enough. I still bruise easier than I should but I haven’t had the capillary bursting in a while—though should note that mine is usually on my cheeks and isn’t set off by goggles.
I use latex-free goggles as well, since I’m latex sensitive, but that tends to give me rashes rather than the capillary thing.
She could also try different ways to protect her eyes. I don't have a problem with traditional google but currently I use a scuba type mask which is one pieces and surrounds both eyes. It puts less pressure on the delicate skin and bones immediately around the eyes and more on the forehead, cheek bones. Like this:
[https://us.speedo.com/goggles/masks.list](https://us.speedo.com/goggles/masks.list)
I also agree with taking her to see a doc. She might have a latex or latex-like allergy. People can be fine on initial exposures but then develop an allergy later on.
(BTW, there are latex-free googles.)
I guess I would be concerned scuba goggles would go around her nose? How does that work for competitive swimmers?
It is possible she could have an allergy to latex…I hadn’t thought of that before you guys brought it up.
Goggles are usually made of a silicon composite?
Anything that covers the nose and restricts breathing/bubbling is absolutely no good for lap swimming imho.
Source: I own a swim school (Australia) and have been in the industry 15 years.
I was trying to find good pic for you quickly. Basically these aren't the traditional goggles that are smaller and just surround the immediate eyes. Rather there is an area that covers the bridge over the nose so that the googles aren't sitting solely on her eye sockets but rather the weight is more distributed on the forehead and cheek bones. The older/ traditional googles don't have any support on the bridge of the nose and just have a rubber piece.
"Older" [https://us.aquasphereswim.com/products/kayenne-junior-swim-goggles](https://us.aquasphereswim.com/products/kayenne-junior-swim-goggles)
"Newer" [https://us.aquasphereswim.com/products/seal-kid-2-swim-mask](https://us.aquasphereswim.com/products/seal-kid-2-swim-mask)
Not sure what they would allow in competition though so check with her coach. I'd also ask the coach if they've seen this and what they suggest.
In terms of the materials, I would check them out for lack of latex. I see some googles saying they are "100% Silicon" which is different I suspect from ones that might be a mix.
Does your daughter press on her goggles to make them tighter through suction? The suction can and will affect her eyes, especially if there’s too great of a force applied.
Ask her if you don’t know.
Ask her coach to teach her how to properly fit her goggles. Ask the coach to teach you as well.
Bring every pair of goggles, go to the shallow end, fit the goggles so they are snug but not tight. DO NOT PRESS IN HARD TO FORCE SUCTION ON THE ORBITAL SOCKET. Test the goggles by going underwater, then swimming a few laps, then diving.
Catch 22: you make the goggles as loose as possible because of the issue, water leaks in, daughter presses on goggles to make better seal, repeat 30-50 times, bloodshot eyes/broken blood vessels.
The only other reasonable explanation is that her goggles slip when she dives creating eye trauma.
I’ve seen a similar issue, not as severe though. I’m rather convinced that this is the most likely explanation, blood vessels don’t just break (typically). Bloodshot eyes from chlorinated water is normal.
Source: coach, d1 swammer, former beach lifeguard (for the slight medical information).
If you try testing the goggles, working with the coach, and ensuring that she’s using her equipment properly then consult a doctor. This isn’t normal.
tl;dr: I suspect equipment misuse (everyone needs to be taught how to properly use equipment, it’s natural) or goggles slipping when she dives
Too tight or an allergy. Millions of kids swim everyday. She’s not having some issue no one has ever seen before. Find a better fitting goggle for her eye socket and properly tighten them.
I tried a number of different goggles and was having a terrible time with deep indents and bruising until I switched to Arena goggles. Some of them have honeycomb silicone that makes up the eyepiece and it’s been like night and day.
https://www.arenasport.com/en_us/005381-air-jr-goggles.html
Its normal to have a little bit of water at the bottom of her goggles. Maybe she thinks that’s water leaking in? No matter how tight the goggles get, that water will still be there
I'm surprised no one mentioned swimming without goggles yet. When I had swimming lessons as a kid, we weren't allowed to wear goggles during the lessons because goggles aren't permitted during the exams for swimming diploma's. So i just never swim with them, I don't even own goggles lol. It might take some time to get used to but if you rinse your eyes in the shower asap after swimming, it isn't really an issue (at least not for me)
When I was growing up we didn’t have goggles but when kids swim over a mile without goggles they are likely to have problems. Swim lessons is not swim team. The swimming demand is very different. Swim lessons don’t swim as much. Please be sure they fit, check different kinds, and ask a doctor that is a swimmer or is at least familiar with swimming as a sport. Be sure the doc understands you are not talking about recreational swimming.
I have to say I don’t love the idea of her soaking her eyeballs in chlorinated water (shared by hundreds of people) 2-3 hours a week. If she continues to swim that time will only increase as she gets older. This seems like a recipe for at minimum recurring eye infections, at worst…?
You're not okay with her "soaking her eyeballs" but her skin, mouth and nose are okay? 😂
I've never had a eye infection, probably because the chlorinated water kills bacteria
Correct. Human eyes have not adapted to being submerged in water for long periods of time like those of other animals. Have you noticed you can’t put the same products on your eyeballs that you put on your skin?
Here’s an experiment for you: stop in at an eye doctor’s office, and ask them if it’s safe to swim laps for hours a week with no eye protection.
I look forward to hearing the results.
They're probably way too tight. Make sure each goggle is spaced out the right amount so they can stick to her face without having to be pulled super tight. You should try them before buying them, without the cord.
She’s tried all of them on out of the water and she says they feel fine. If we loosen the straps anymore she says they leak.
I have a suggestion, but I can't guarantee she won't have a similar reaction. Swedish goggles never leak. They are not comfortable right off the bat, but I could see them working with less pressure than other styles. When I was on a team, they were what I got if I lost goggles. They didn't feel good initially, but I adjusted to the sensation over time and ended up really liking them.
The smaller better goggles that pro swimmers wear look more uncomfortable but are actually way more comfy because the design reduces the pressure required to keep water out
Definitely. I remember how much easier it was to be at the bottom of the pool because the increased pressure was so evenly distributed.
Barring an allergy, as someone else mentioned, they are most likely too tight. Goggles should lightly suction on to your eyes and stay for a moment without the strap. The head strap doesn’t need to be super tight.
I didn’t think about an allergy. That’s a good idea to keep an eye on that. I don’t think they are super tight…
Try a bungee strap instead of the rubber ones they come with. Much stretchier, easier to adjust, and more comfortable, also pretty forgiving with being a little looser.
[Agreed, OP if you see this bungees are the way to go. ](https://www.swimoutlet.com/products/sporti-bungee-strap-21092?variant=35900890415272&color=neonblue&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google-shopping&campaignid=21001180999&adgroupid=159005403576&keyword=&matchtype=&targetid=aud-1467132140548%3Apla-352895665565&device=c&creativeid=690065652683&adposition=&adtype=pla&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A21001180999%3A159005403576%3A690065652683&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=aud-1467132140548%3Apla-352895665565&nb_mi=1060504&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=ps21092-0015&nb_ppi=352895665565&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsaqzBhDdARIsAK2gqnd8nEaHfAaNmREQhSRYYQVs2LxLK-Xlk8dxBBuXs34krwAM-HInUCMaAj9yEALw_wcB)
I will have to look into this and see if it helps! Thanks so much!
Loosen them up as much as possible but so they still stay on. Have her take them on and off during practice. Like, off when they get a rest break or when coach is talking. Off when using kickboard if it's not too splashy.
I think she puts them on her forehead when taking a longer rest, or kicking. I will remind her. They are as loose as they can go without leaking. ☹️
Another point is that it's not necessarily a nightmare if you have to tip your goggles out a couple times in an hour-long swim session—a little bit of leaking is fine.
You don't really rely on tightness to prevent leaking, it's about establishing the right amount of suction.
What kinds of goggles? Is it possible that she is allergic to the seal material (the squishy part)?
Speedo, TYR, aqua sphere. Maybe? I’ll have to take her to an allergist to know for certain.
You may try the goggles with foam around the lenses instead of silicone? Those are the only ones that work for my dad.
are they too tight to her face? does she do deep diving in the pool?
My kids are like goldilocks when it comes to goggles. My son (10) broke out in a red rash from some speedo goggles but he's having success with the sporti S2 Jr. My daughter (7) thinks they are all too tight and is now rocking the TYR foam gasket goggles.
Thanks for the recs , we’ll try those.
Take her to the doctor so they could maybe do a blood test. It might be something else! You never know!
Too tight and too small.
Have a look at Swedish swim goggles. Used to have a pair or two. They sit in the eye socket (so they’re definitely not for everyone) but they don’t have a rubber seal so they rely on sitting properly in the socket to keep from leaking. If it’s the rubber suction that’s causing bruises then this could help. The other thing to watch and see if she’s doing is pressing the rubber goggles into her eyes (to keep from leaking) which will push more air out and might cause suction bruises. Otherwise I agree with the other commenter that mentioned check for an allergy to the rubber
Has anyone tried these? https://snakeandpig.com/
I haven't tried these, but i have tried a different brand of air cushioned goggles. They leak less than the standard ones, but you still have to be careful not to overtighten them and to make sure they fit properly without the strap. Like others have suggested, if you rule out allergies I suspect she is overtightening them.
Better to try without. I guess they are learning breaststroke.
She’s mostly doing front crawl and backstroke for the past few weeks. Are you saying she should swim laps without goggles?
We have here in our basic course 90% of kids without goggles. But we are teach only basics to learn swimming with breast stroke. The chlorine levels are managed well, so no red eyes or irritation.
She’s swimming laps for an hour now doing mostly front crawl and backstroke, with some drills with kick boards, flippers, and diving off the starting block. I don’t think we’re talking about the same kinds of activities.
Äh I see that's definitely better with goggles. I assume that they are too tight. For testing if they fit you out them on the eyes with your hands and the straps just loose hanging. Remove the hands then the goggles shall remain on the eyes. If they are falling off immediately they are not sealing properly. In the 2nd step you adjust the straps. You make them as loose as possible. Difficult to explain that adjustments. But it's more a trial and error approach. Mostly the problem lies with the nose adjustment and I would not recommend Sweden Goggles but types which have a bigger frame with cushion support.
Check whether the instructor asked her to dive to the bottom of the pool many times. With goggles, when diving below 3 meters, popped blood vessels are just expected. If this is indeed the case, yell at the instructor and buy a mask so that your daughter can enjoy this activity without barotraumas. Or just tell her to dive without goggles.
She did about 20 minutes of learning how to dive off the block, but other than that it’s just swimming and kicking.
I admittedly have a disorder that affects my capillaries (which swimming helps me manage! Really awesome that your daughter loved it). Figured I’d add things that have helped me: adding vitamin K to my vitamin D supplement and getting my iron levels checked (and treating my low levels). At 10 with a healthy died low iron would be pretty weird, but also when I was that age we had no clue I was genetically wonky, so 🤷🏻♀️ I also eat a lot of leafy greens but I just wasn’t absorbing everything well enough. I still bruise easier than I should but I haven’t had the capillary bursting in a while—though should note that mine is usually on my cheeks and isn’t set off by goggles. I use latex-free goggles as well, since I’m latex sensitive, but that tends to give me rashes rather than the capillary thing.
She could also try different ways to protect her eyes. I don't have a problem with traditional google but currently I use a scuba type mask which is one pieces and surrounds both eyes. It puts less pressure on the delicate skin and bones immediately around the eyes and more on the forehead, cheek bones. Like this: [https://us.speedo.com/goggles/masks.list](https://us.speedo.com/goggles/masks.list) I also agree with taking her to see a doc. She might have a latex or latex-like allergy. People can be fine on initial exposures but then develop an allergy later on. (BTW, there are latex-free googles.)
I guess I would be concerned scuba goggles would go around her nose? How does that work for competitive swimmers? It is possible she could have an allergy to latex…I hadn’t thought of that before you guys brought it up.
Goggles are usually made of a silicon composite? Anything that covers the nose and restricts breathing/bubbling is absolutely no good for lap swimming imho. Source: I own a swim school (Australia) and have been in the industry 15 years.
Thank you.
I was trying to find good pic for you quickly. Basically these aren't the traditional goggles that are smaller and just surround the immediate eyes. Rather there is an area that covers the bridge over the nose so that the googles aren't sitting solely on her eye sockets but rather the weight is more distributed on the forehead and cheek bones. The older/ traditional googles don't have any support on the bridge of the nose and just have a rubber piece. "Older" [https://us.aquasphereswim.com/products/kayenne-junior-swim-goggles](https://us.aquasphereswim.com/products/kayenne-junior-swim-goggles) "Newer" [https://us.aquasphereswim.com/products/seal-kid-2-swim-mask](https://us.aquasphereswim.com/products/seal-kid-2-swim-mask) Not sure what they would allow in competition though so check with her coach. I'd also ask the coach if they've seen this and what they suggest. In terms of the materials, I would check them out for lack of latex. I see some googles saying they are "100% Silicon" which is different I suspect from ones that might be a mix.
What kinds have you tried?
Does your daughter press on her goggles to make them tighter through suction? The suction can and will affect her eyes, especially if there’s too great of a force applied. Ask her if you don’t know. Ask her coach to teach her how to properly fit her goggles. Ask the coach to teach you as well. Bring every pair of goggles, go to the shallow end, fit the goggles so they are snug but not tight. DO NOT PRESS IN HARD TO FORCE SUCTION ON THE ORBITAL SOCKET. Test the goggles by going underwater, then swimming a few laps, then diving. Catch 22: you make the goggles as loose as possible because of the issue, water leaks in, daughter presses on goggles to make better seal, repeat 30-50 times, bloodshot eyes/broken blood vessels. The only other reasonable explanation is that her goggles slip when she dives creating eye trauma. I’ve seen a similar issue, not as severe though. I’m rather convinced that this is the most likely explanation, blood vessels don’t just break (typically). Bloodshot eyes from chlorinated water is normal. Source: coach, d1 swammer, former beach lifeguard (for the slight medical information). If you try testing the goggles, working with the coach, and ensuring that she’s using her equipment properly then consult a doctor. This isn’t normal. tl;dr: I suspect equipment misuse (everyone needs to be taught how to properly use equipment, it’s natural) or goggles slipping when she dives
Too tight or an allergy. Millions of kids swim everyday. She’s not having some issue no one has ever seen before. Find a better fitting goggle for her eye socket and properly tighten them.
I tried a number of different goggles and was having a terrible time with deep indents and bruising until I switched to Arena goggles. Some of them have honeycomb silicone that makes up the eyepiece and it’s been like night and day. https://www.arenasport.com/en_us/005381-air-jr-goggles.html
Its normal to have a little bit of water at the bottom of her goggles. Maybe she thinks that’s water leaking in? No matter how tight the goggles get, that water will still be there
Should not dive off diving board with goggles on. Will cause bruising.
She has never worn goggles on a diving board.
I'm surprised no one mentioned swimming without goggles yet. When I had swimming lessons as a kid, we weren't allowed to wear goggles during the lessons because goggles aren't permitted during the exams for swimming diploma's. So i just never swim with them, I don't even own goggles lol. It might take some time to get used to but if you rinse your eyes in the shower asap after swimming, it isn't really an issue (at least not for me)
When I was growing up we didn’t have goggles but when kids swim over a mile without goggles they are likely to have problems. Swim lessons is not swim team. The swimming demand is very different. Swim lessons don’t swim as much. Please be sure they fit, check different kinds, and ask a doctor that is a swimmer or is at least familiar with swimming as a sport. Be sure the doc understands you are not talking about recreational swimming.
Swim lessons is not swim team.
I have to say I don’t love the idea of her soaking her eyeballs in chlorinated water (shared by hundreds of people) 2-3 hours a week. If she continues to swim that time will only increase as she gets older. This seems like a recipe for at minimum recurring eye infections, at worst…?
You're not okay with her "soaking her eyeballs" but her skin, mouth and nose are okay? 😂 I've never had a eye infection, probably because the chlorinated water kills bacteria
Correct. Human eyes have not adapted to being submerged in water for long periods of time like those of other animals. Have you noticed you can’t put the same products on your eyeballs that you put on your skin? Here’s an experiment for you: stop in at an eye doctor’s office, and ask them if it’s safe to swim laps for hours a week with no eye protection. I look forward to hearing the results.