Yes, too much salt water can damage your eyes. Salt water is hypertonic, meaning it has a higher concentration of salt than the fluid inside your eyes. When salt water gets into your eyes, it draws water out of the eye tissues, leading to irritation, stinging, redness, and even dryness.
The salt in sea water is a major irritant to the delicate tissues of your eyes. If exposed for too long, it can lead to:
- Temporary discomfort: Stinging, burning, and redness are common reactions.
- Dry eyes: Salt water can draw moisture out of your eyes, causing them to feel dry and scratchy.
- Corneal abrasions: If you rub your eyes after salt water gets in them, you could scratch your cornea, the clear outer layer of your eye.
However, most healthy eyes can handle short-term exposure to salt water without significant damage. It's important to flush your eyes with clean water if they are exposed to salt water, especially if you experience any discomfort.
