Take Steps To Prevent Eye Irritation Before You Go It's also a good idea to wear swim goggles when you're swimming or playing in chlorinated water. Swim goggles come in all sizes – from little kids through adults – and many offer UV protection, which is also important.”

While goggles are not a "requirement" at most water parks, they are highly recommended, especially for children and those with sensitive eyes. Most modern water parks use high concentrations of chlorine and other chemicals to maintain hygiene across thousands of visitors, which can cause significant eye irritation (redness and stinging) after a few hours of swimming. However, there are strict safety rules: most parks prohibit goggles on high-speed body slides or slides with vertical drops, as the force of the water can rip the goggles off your face, potentially causing injury or becoming a hazard for other riders. "Snorkel masks" that cover the nose are almost universally banned on slides for the same reason. If you wear contact lenses, prescription goggles are an absolute necessity to prevent lenses from being washed out or infected by bacteria. For general "splash pad" play and lazy rivers, goggles are perfectly fine and will make your day much more comfortable, but be prepared to hold them in your hand or leave them at the bottom of the stairs for the big thrill rides.