Contact Lens Travel Essentials: Dos and Don’ts for Safe Wear on the Go

With the use of contact lens, there are several important steps and information that should be adhered to which will help to ensure the safety, quality and functionality of the product. Here are 3 dos and 3 don’ts that should be taken into consideration when travelling with contact lenses.

Dos #1: Always Pack Enough

When embarking on a travelling expedition, ensuring the availability of an ample supply of contact lenses, cleaning solution, and storage cases in your travel essentials is very important. These items are the most essential when it comes to the topic of comfort and clarity for those reliant on contact lenses. Whether you are out for a weekend getaway or a longer adventure, the importance of packing an adequate supply cannot be overlooked. A sufficient quantity of contact lenses ensures uninterrupted vision throughout the trip; therefore, sparing you from the inconvenience and potential stress of running out of required supplies. Moreover, packing multiple sets of lenses will help provide a safety net against unforeseen circumstances such as loss or damage. The provision of cleaning solution is equally important as it is seen as the primary means of maintaining lens hygiene and clarity during usage and storage. This sterile solution not only removes dust, debris and microorganisms from the lenses but also helps preserve their integrity and longevity for future purposes.

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Alongside the solution, having multiple storage cases is essential for securely storing the lenses when not in use; thus, safeguarding them from other contaminating factors as well as damage. Furthermore, having extra cases allows for convenient storage in various locations, for instance at the accommodation spots or during trips and sightseeing. By ensuring to pack an ample supply of contact lenses, cleaning solution and storage cases, travellers can embark on their journeys with confidence while being assured that their visual comfort and hygiene needs have been properly prepped and addressed beforehand. This foresight not only enhances the overall travel experience but also underscores a commitment to maintaining optimal eye health; therefore, ensuring that every moment of exploration and discovery is enjoyed with clarity and ease.

Dos #2: Always Wash Your Hands

When traveling regardless of distance and duration, one must ensure to prioritise the hygiene of their hands before handling contact lenses; therefore, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience throughout the journey. Proper hand hygiene is key as hands can harbour a multitude of bacteria and viruses that can easily be transferred to the lenses and subsequently to the eyes, which can potentially lead to discomfort or infection. Washing hands often and thoroughly with soap and water before touching your lenses will be essential in helping to remove dirt, germs and other factors that can accumulate throughout the day since travelling may increase your exposure to various environments and conditions. This step is crucial step as it not only reduces the risk of eye irritation and infection but also helps maintain the clarity and efficiency of the contact lenses, which then helps in ensuring optimal vision for the user.

Additionally, using a clean towel to dry your hands after washing will further aid in minimising the risk of contamination. Incorporating this practice into your lens hygiene routine on normal time and even during travelling expeditions is extremely essential when it comes to maintaining good eye health and guiding you through a seamless travel experience. By placing emphasis on the importance of washing hands thoroughly before using contact lenses, travellers can effectively mitigate potential risks that may come with unhygienic practices and enjoy their adventures with clear and comfortable vision.

Dos #3: Using Recommended Apparatus

When setting up to go for a traveling expedition, it is vital to use sterile contact lens solution to clean and store your lenses; hence, ensuring the maintenance of proper eye health and comfort throughout your travel journey. Sterile solution is specifically created to clean and disinfect contact lenses, removing dirt, dust and microorganisms that can accumulate on the surface over the period of use. This helps prevent eye infections and irritation, which can be further increased and emphasised by the exposure to different environments and activities while traveling. Using the sterile solution also will be helpful when it comes to maintaining the clarity and quality of your lenses; hence, ensuring optimal vision during use.

When storing contact lenses, it is important to use a clean storage case and fill it with fresh solution each time as it can help to prevent contamination. This practice helps protect your lenses from bacteria and other elements that can thrive and spread in the moist environment of the case. Additionally, carrying ample supplies of sterile solution ensures that you have enough product that can last throughout the duration of your trip; thus, preventing the need to purchase potentially unsuitable or unfamiliar solutions while you are away from the comforts of home. By prioritising the use of sterile contact lens solution when cleaning and storing your lenses, you can enjoy your travels with a peace of mind while knowing that your essentials are all stocked up and available for your use.

Don’t #1: Never Sleep with Contact Lens

It is very important that you avoid sleeping in your contact lenses unless it is specifically recommended and prescribed by your eye care professional. Sleeping in lenses that are not made specifically for extended wear can lead to a variety of complications and discomfort. When asleep with contact lenses, it can cause a plethora of issues and health implications to one’s eyes. For instance, the usage of contact lenses when asleep can create an environment in which bacteria and other microorganisms can possibly thrive in; therefore, increasing the risk of eye infections and irritations.

Moreover, sleeping in lenses can cause the lenses to become dry and stick to the surface of the eye, leading to discomfort and potential damage to parts of the eyes. By adhering to the instructions given by your eye care professional and refraining from sleeping in your contact lenses unless it is required of you to do so, you can help maintain the health and comfort of your eyes; therefore, ensuring clear vision and minimising the risk of complications while traveling or in daily life.

Don’t #2: Never Share with Others

Sharing contact lenses or storage cases with others is strongly discouraged due to the risk of various eye infections and other complications. Sharing lenses can create an environment for harmful bacteria and viruses to your eyes which can then be a reason that leads to infections and eye conditions. Additionally, sharing lenses can transfer oils, makeup, small particles or other debris that may adhere to the lens surface; therefore, potentially causing discomfort or reducing the effectiveness of the lens.

Similarly, sharing storage cases can lead to cross-contamination as bacteria or particles from one person’s case can transfer to another person’s lenses. It’s important to use only your own contact lenses and storage cases to maintain good eye health and prevent infections. If there is a dire situation where the only solution is to borrow lenses or a case in an emergency, it is essential to properly clean and disinfect them before use. By following these guidelines and not sharing your contact lenses or storage cases with others, you can help protect your eyes from infection and ensure the continued clarity and comfort of your vision.

Don’t #3: Using other Solutions for Cleaning and Storing

When traveling, it is vital to avoid using tap water, saliva or other fluids to clean your contact lenses or storage case. Tap water may contain impurities, particles, microorganisms and various chemicals that can adhere to your lenses which can then lead to irritation, discomfort or even more serious eye infections. Similarly, saliva is not sterile and can introduce harmful bacteria to your lenses and eyes; thus, increasing the risk of infection. Using these substances to clean your lenses or storage case can also affect and hinder the effectiveness of disinfecting solutions as they may interact with the chemicals in the case or on the lenses.

Using sterile contact lens solution recommended by your eye care professional to clean and store your lenses should be the only way when using and caring for contact lenses. When traveling, it is advised to carry travel-sized bottles of contact lens solution to ensure that you will always have a safe and effective cleaning option. If you find yourself without sterile solution, it is better to temporarily store your lenses in a clean and dry case and proceed to seek out proper cleaning solutions that suits your lens type as soon as possible. By avoiding the use of tap water, saliva or other fluids to clean your lenses or storage case when traveling, you can help protect your eyes from infection and ensure clear, comfortable vision throughout your journey.

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