For many people, the hot summer days are often spent swimming at the pool. But even though the water is usually clear with chlorine, it doesn’t mean you should be looking underwater.

As reporter Jason Howland explains in this Mayo Clinic Minute, it could cause temporary damage to your eyes.

The next time you dive in, you might want to reconsider opening your eyes underwater.

“Chlorine is a pretty powerful disinfectant and can, in fact, cause some damage to the outer layer cells that protect the cornea,” says Dr. Muriel Schornack, a Mayo Clinic optometrist.

The occasional glance should be OK, but extended eye opening underwater can cause damage.

“The eye becomes red, irritated. You might become photophobic, or sensitive to light. Your vision might blur a little bit, and your eyes are going to feel irritated or even, frankly, painful,” says Dr. Schornack.

Most of the time, those symptoms are uncomfortable but temporary. If you really want to look underwater, the doctor-recommended tip:

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