Prescribing for water sports.

Recreation is a dynamic aspect of modern day life. Providing the ametropic patient with equal access to recreation fulfills the mission of the eye care professional. The astute practitioner must balance the ethical values of prescribing in the best interest of the patient with the desire to do no harm. Knowledge of the demands presented by water sports and of the risks presented by the aqueous environment must be balanced with an understanding of available contact lenses, proper regimens for lens wear and care, and the appropriate use of available protective eyewear. Patient education and instruction is also necessary for the management of risk and to optimize the benefits of vision correction for water sports.