Long days lounging by the swimming pool, delicious local culinary experiences, quality time with friends and family and a much needed change in our daily routine – who doesn’t love going on holiday? Yet for those of us wearing contact lenses, travelling also brings with it a lot of planning and preparation.
Here we share the top tips to have a stress-free holiday as a contact lens wearer, based on advice from Brendan O’Brien, leading optometrist at Vision Direct and member of the General Optical Council.
To swim or not to swim?
There’s little more annoying than not being able to enjoy a swim in the sea or in the swimming pool on your much- anticipated holiday, just because you’ve forgotten to prepare in advance. Nothing a bit of eye care research can’t solve – ask your optician before you travel what the best options are for you.
According to experts, swimming with your contacts is to be avoided wherever possible, as there is a risk of contamination with bacteria present in the water. Instead, opt for prescription goggles which will ensure you can see clearly under the water. However, if you must wear contacts while swimming, choose daily disposable ones from a reputable brand and protect these with waterproof swimming goggles. Make sure you’ve packed your goggles and any necessary cleaning solutions and you’re all set to join in on the water fun. Your eyes will thank you!
Sunlight frenemy
It’s one thing worrying about not being able to enjoy the views because you can’t see clearly on holiday. It’s quite another worrying about simply being outside on a nice day - eye sensitivity is a concern that can pull the brakes on many holiday activities.
Strong sunshine can wreak havoc on the comfort of our eyes and cause our contact lenses to dry out. But the good news is that there are now specially designed contact lenses which allow you to enjoy the sunshine even with sensitive eyes.
You can choose contact lenses which offer extra UV blocking, and pair these with sunglasses to ensure your eyes will have extra protection when you’re in the sun. Sensitive or dry eyes can cause discomfort, so the best thing to do to avoid any unpleasant symptoms on your holiday is to make sure you have great UV protection.
And don’t underestimate the power of eye drops. Check with your optician which option suits you best, as these can stop your eyes from feeling dry and ease discomfort by keeping your contact lenses clean and hydrated.
An important thing to keep in mind when purchasing eye drops is that it’s best to choose a brand which doesn’t include preservatives, as these can sometimes cause more discomfort to the eyes.
Getting through airport security
Another difficult aspect of wearing contact lenses can be getting through airport security, but this can be easily solved with the right know-how. For example, in UK airports, you can only take a limited amount of liquids with you and these must be stored in a clear plastic bag.
You’re then required to remove the liquids when it’s time to get through the security checks, so it’s a good idea to have these handy for when you need to grab them.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that if you’re going away for a short amount of time, it might be easier to wear daily disposable contact lenses to avoid the hassle at the airport and free up some precious baggage space.
It can be hard to survive a holiday as a contact lens wearer, but with the right information and advice you can avoid being stressed about your eye health and focus on having a fantastic holiday instead.
Tagged in Travel