People will often complain of burning, itching eyes after spending some time in a swimming pool. There are a couple of reasons for this.Chlorine seems to be the number one reason that people think is the cause, but is not always the case. However, it can be a cause of it.The combined chlorine compound, called a chloramine, is produced when a free chlorine molecule combines with a nitrogen or ammonia molecule. These compounds smell bad, irritate the eyes and skin, and get in the way of free chlorine trying to do its job. The other reason is the PH. the pH in our bodies is 7.2 parts per million. That being said, when the pH in a pool gets too low or high (ideal range is 7.2-7.6 ppm) the body reacts and produces the burning and itching eyes.