Top tips for contact lens wearers travelling abroad this summer
Summer is officially here and many of us are packing our bags in preparation to jet off to our favourite holiday destinations. Travelling brings a whole lot of excitement, getting to explore new places and, for those of us living in the UK, escaping the usual dull grey skies to brighten up our days and feel the summer warmth on our skin.
So, before we sit back and relax, take a dip in the pool and sip on our favourite seasonal beverage, what precautions should ECPs be reminding contact lens customers to take to ensure that their eyes remain happy and healthy?
In this blog we’ll provide top tips for contact lens wearers planning a summer break and answer some common questions.
Travelling to your destination
Whether it’s a long haul or a short haul trip, air conditioning on your flight can dry out your lenses and it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t sleep whilst wearing them.
Daily disposable lenses are most suitable for travelling as they can be easily disposed of and replaced when needed. It’s recommended that if you don’t already wear daily disposable lenses, to speak to an optician and if suitable, switch to daily disposables ahead of your journey. To try and make your journey more comfortable and have some well needed rest on the plane, always remember to take a spare pair of daily lenses as a replacement and carry a pair of glasses.
Our Miru 1day Flat Pack contact lenses are the perfect solution, taking up very little bag room! Slip one or two spares into your hand luggage for safekeeping and have them at the ready to replace your lenses when they feel dry and uncomfortable.
Keeping your lenses clean and safe whilst on holiday
For contact lens wearers, having clean hands is important whether you’re at home or abroad. However, enjoying new activities and a new routine when abroad can throw additional risks to cleanliness into the mix. So, what are the do’s and don'ts for keeping your lenses clean and safe when on holiday?
When it comes to hand hygiene, the same rules apply! Always remember to wash your hands with soap and water, making sure they are dry before handling your lenses.
Whilst we all love a holiday beach day, this also throws another tricky customer into the mix - sand! If you do get sand on or under your contact lenses, always wash your hands if possible before removing the lens and throwing it away.
Never use bottled or tap water when rinsing your eyes as it is not sterile and could lead to infection. Instead, remember to use suitable eyedrops or sterile saline. If you experience any persisting discomfort in your eyes, it’s recommended that you don’t insert a fresh contact lens until you have visited an ECP or if more convenient, wear glasses until you can seek further medical help.
If you want to have fun and enjoy some water activities like jet-skiing, scuba diving and snorkelling, wearers should be reminded to never swim with their contact lenses in unless advised otherwise by an ECP. This is where a pair of prescription goggles can come in particularly handy!
Sun and heat protection for contact lens wearers
UV rays can be damaging to our eyes and have lasting effects on our long-term vision. Typical methods to protect our eyes from sun damage include wearing an effective pair of 100% UV blocking sunglasses when exposed to UV rays in the summer months.
Sunglasses can be, and should be, worn safely over contact lenses when outdoors. When applying sun cream, always avoid the eye area and apply contact lenses first. Don’t forget to also keep your lens blisters away from direct sunlight to prevent overheating!
All in all, summer is a much-loved time of year for many of us. A chance to take a well-deserved break, fly off to exotic destinations and make life-long memories. Whilst it can present some additional challenges for those of us travelling with contact lenses, a trip abroad can be made less stressful and much more comfortable by following simple tips around preparation and lens handling. If in doubt, ECPs are always there to provide a helping hand!
