Bruising under eyes from tight swimming goggles?

[buni1961]

hello -

I wore a new pair of swim goggles with suction to prevent leaking I'd estimate about 25-30 times this summer, 20-40 minutes per swim.  I am a long distance swimmer, female, age 447.  I noticed at the end of August I was developing these marked "troughs" under my eyes and I stopped using the goggles.  I also would have reddish discoloration/ bruising under the eyes after I removed the goggles which seemed to dissipate within a couple of hours.

I now have deep dark circles with discoloration under my eyes that is marked. I was sick for a couple of weeks with a cold/post nasal drip in October which may have made this worse.  Anyway, it has been two months since I stopped using the goggles.  I am very very worried about these awful looking troughs.  

A friend asked me three weeks ago if I had a black eye and someone else remarked I looked "very tired".

I'm very concerned that I have done permanent damage to the skin under my eyes by wearing these suction type goggles with the resultant pressure and and I'm wondering if you have ever seen this problem.  Is there anything I can do?   What is the prognosis and is it possible I have done permanent damage?

[danniwheel]

Like so many others I am glad to have found this site... I thought it was just me! And initially I thought I was just imagining that I looked like I had 2 black eyes.. I've also started to swim regularly after suffering a knee injury and it really makes me feel great when I go... but the dreaded "goggle eyes" are starting to worry me.. particularly as I swim in the morning and then head to work! Sounds like it is a combination of the goggles plus age (I am 41).... Am very keen now to try some of the other google/mask options that people have suggested before I next swim... No goggles isn't an option as I wear contact lenses, and to be honest, my vision is so poor that I'd struggle to find the edge of the pool if I didn't wear them!  Thanks to those who have recommended brands/products and shared your research.. Will continue to check in to for further comments.. and in the meantime, hope I can find the products mentioned in Australia... (I am assuming all are widely available.)  Thanks again - I am just relieved to find that I am not alone... and not imagining it!!

[Donnab63]

After typing 'why do goggles leave imprint in skin' I came across this site.  My daughter who is 14 and of afro caribbean parentage, has this very same problem with the very dark circles around her eyes.  My daughter has been swimming competitively for a couple of years and swims 1.5hr sessions, 3-4 times a week. She has had the dark circles for quite awhile, but it seems to be getting worse and now appears to be permanent. A teacher at school actually commented on whether she was OK as she thought she looked ill and tired.  My daughter is now very conscious!  I have lost count on the number of goggles tried!  We will now investigate some of the suggestions listed above.  Any other suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

[arwa]

I am 55 years old. Started taking swimming lessons a month ago as I will not be able to do any running because of a knee injury.

The panda eyes seem to be getting worse after every swimming session.

How  is the TYR Hydrovision working for you versus Barracuda Wire Mask?

Appreciate it if you could respond

[WittyMermaid]

Thank you for this thread. I am 39 years old, and I've been a fitness swimmer x 2 years.  I am also an internal medicine physician.  Swimming has been the best exercise I've ever discovered, but I have significant swelling around my eyes after an hour swim.  I've come to call the swelling, affectionately, my "goggle hickies."  I wear contacts, and swimming without goggles would be inappropriate.

Just assessing the situation from a medical perspective, it seems to me that the swelling is somewhat reactive due to the pressure, but over time, I think that repeated pressure could cause some movement of facial tissue.  

I have tried a variety of goggles, including several Nike & Speedo versions.  For the past year, I've been swimming exclusively with Aquasphere Vistas for ladies.  Initially, I did not have the marks--or, at least they were not as pronounced as with the Nike/Speedos.  Over time, however, I still develop them, but not in the same places.  Still under the eyes, though.  All in all, Aquaspheres are more comfortable.

Recently, I tried a larger Aquasphere (name escapes me)--more mask-like, but not a true mask.  They leaked--probably just too big for my face.  

I am interested in this 1) vaseline idea, to reduce pressure; 2) speedo strapless goggles using adhesive, 3) TYR hydrovision, and the 4) Baracuda wire mask.  Am interested in any follow up anyone has wiht use of these products, and I will post what I discover with them as well.

    

[mnswimgirl77]

I am so glad to have found this thread! I am 31 years old and have swam competitively my whole life and currently swim 3-4 times a week for an hour on a Masters Team. This past swummer I have really gotten into open water swimming, doing races that are 1-2 hours long and at the 2 hour swim I did last month my left eye was so sore under the eye and when I got back to my hotel I literally had a blister on my face, where my goggles had been. This "eye blister" was really painful and not very becoming. It took most of the day for the swelling to go down and I got some funny looks wandering around Chicago afterwards!! Now, I notice that my left eye is always sensitive when using my prescription goggles which are larger, and really with any of my goggles. It's an instant discomfort, but only on that side. The marks on my face also take hours to go away. I am going to try some of the goggles mentioned here and hope for the best. I thought perhaps it was allergy related, but I'm not having any other symptoms except the painful eye socket and major skin irritation. I too have people asking if I'm ok and telling that I look tired. No, instead of saying "did you sleep badly last night?" my coworkers just look at me and say, "oh she was swimming this morning." Great. I used to wear the swedish goggles as a kid and never had any problems. Getting old really is the pits!!

[buni1961]

Agree with you, OKYes, it's nearly impossible to swim without goggles (or a mask) if you are used to using them.  

Well my AquaSphere mask kicked the bucket after a year.  I find they do last exactly a year and then start leaking.  So I'm going to see what other masks are out there.  I am of the opinion that any goggle I use is going to exacerbate the problem of the fat pads siting on top of where my cheeks used to be.  

And yes, DailySwimmer....the getting older thing ain't easy.  I take some consolation in knowing it happens to all of us but some seem to age more gracefully than others.  I became a hardcore outdoor swimmer in my early 30's and continued until my early 40's.  All that sun and goggle wearing didn't help matters NOW but man, I looked and felt great during those years.  I always looked very young, up until about 47.  The loss of youth and good looks is something we have to just have to accept.  

[Chad1980]

Hi Buni,

How long did it take for your puffy eye bags to retreat?

I’ve stopped swimming with goggles for about 1 week, and they are still there.

Thanks!

[buni1961]

Just answered you in a longer reply below.  For me I think it took up to a year of not wearing goggles but everyone is different.  It could take a few weeks to a few months.  Try to reduce the sodium in your diet as well as any stress.  I was very stressed out around the time I started this thread and *that* does not help matters!  :-)