Corrective eyewear, be it contacts or glasses, are fragile objects, and you must treat them with care, especially when going on trips. Losing or damaging your contacts or glasses can turn a fun journey into a nightmare, especially if you have really poor eyesight. It is also possible to get caught in the hassle of a trip and forget to carry out your regular corrective wear care routine.
So, whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, the information in this guide will help you ensure your corrective eyewear is not one of those things to worry about as you travel.
Contacts or Glasses: Which Is Better for Traveling?
The contacts vs. glasses debate gets intense when people decide on the best eyewear for them. What to carry between glasses and contacts depends on your destination, activities and preference in general.
People traveling to dusty places, for example, may want to consider glasses over contacts, while you will probably favor contact lenses if you are involved in a lot of physical activity. Ultimately, the choice comes down to what works best for you and how well you handle your eyewear.
Having Your Prescription
Whether you are traveling with eyeglasses or contacts, it is essential to have a copy of your prescription before you set out. You can also store a copy of your prescription on your digital devices for easier access. Most retailers require a prescription for corrective eyewear, so having yours at hand makes it easy to obtain a new pair of glasses or contacts if the need arises while you are away.
Tips for Traveling With Contacts
Pack All of Your Contact Lens Gear
You have to clean and disinfect your contact lenses daily for effective and safe use. Carry your contact cleaning solution in a leak-proof case along with your regular contact supplies. If you do not want the hassle of cleaning contacts on your trip, consider buying disposable or extended wear contacts instead.
If you are flying to your destination, ensure you understand air travel regulations concerning contacts. Flight rules permit not more than 3.4 ounces of liquid in the contact lens case in your carry-on bag. Carry-on liquids must also fit into a clear quart-size plastic bag. There are no restrictions on how much you can carry in your checked bag, so you have extra room for a larger contact solution container.
Practice Good Contact Hygiene
It is possible to get caught up in the activities or pleasures of traveling and skip on some basic contact care procedures. Your eyes are precious and must get priority care whatever the situation. Try not to forget basic contact care etiquette like:
- Wash your hands with mild soap and dry with a lint-free towel before touching your eyes or contacts.
- Cleaning your lenses daily and storing them with the approved solution.
- Removing contacts before bed unless they are approved for overnight wear.
Do Not Swim in Your Contacts
You will probably get many opportunities to dive into a pool or the ocean when you travel. But water contains microorganisms that put your eyes at risk of severe infections and even blindness.
If you must swim while wearing contacts, consider disposable contacts instead and discard them once you get out of the water. You can also protect your contacts and eyes by wearing goggles before entering the water.
Protect Yourself From the Sun
While you are taking in the beautiful sights of your destination, you want to ensure your eyes are protected from the sun’s rays. Wearing contact lenses with UV protection, polarized glasses, and large-brimmed hats can help keep your eyes safe.
Tips for Traveling with Glasses
Travel With an Additional Pair
Having an extra pair of glasses when you travel can help prevent the challenges if you misplace or damage your glasses. You don’t necessarily have to buy the same glasses as a backup. If you’re looking for a reliable online platform to explore a wide range of sunglasses, https://www.coolframes.com/ or Blickers is an excellent option.
If you are on a budget, you can shop for cheaper alternatives and wear them when you engage in sports or other activities that can damage your glasses. You can get cheap glasses from online glass stores.
Keep Your Glasses in Your Carry-on Luggage
You won’t have control over what happens to your specs if you keep them in your checked-in luggage, where they could get banged or crushed. If you must keep your glasses in your bag, ensure they are in a hard case that can protect them from any impact.
Come With Your Glass Repair Kit
A glass repair kit generally includes a small screwdriver for loosening and tightening frames and a microfiber lens cloth for cleaning. A repair kit is small in size and will not take much space in your luggage.
Secure Your Glasses With a Neck Strap
A neck strap can come in handy if you will be playing sports or performing other physical activities on your trip. You risk looking goofy when you use a neck strap, but you won’t have to buy a new pair of glasses when the wind or something else knocks your glasses off your face.
What If You Lose Your Eyewear While Away?
The demands of traveling can be overwhelming, and you may lose your corrective eyewear even when you have been careful. If this happens, the ease of getting a replacement will depend on your location.
Most regions have optical stores that will provide you with a pair of contacts or glasses once you have a prescription. Some places may offer eye exams to people with prescriptions. If you are in a place where you cannot access an optical shop, you may want to contact family or friends to send you a pair.
Ultimately, it’s best to be mindful as you travel. Losing personal items on trips is common, but your eyes are essential to having a great travel experience. If you must misplace an item, it should not be your corrective eyewear.
Final Words
Traveling is a lot of fun for the most part and can leave you with treasured memories. However, a memorable journey can quickly turn sour if you lose or damage your corrective eyewear. The tips in this guide will help you ensure that doesn’t happen so you can fully enjoy your travels.
