Contact lenses are a great alternative to wearing prescription glasses, and that's especially true when traveling. Nothing beats the convenience of contacts, especially while doing activities where wearing glasses would be impractical or uncomfortable. 

While some people opt for daily disposable lenses while traveling, many others continue to wear the standard contacts they wear day in and day out.   

To learn more about contact lens safety tips while on the move, call Pittsfield Vision Associates, PC in Pittsfield today.

Get Your Contact Lenses Ready Before Your Trip 

There are several ways to take the hassle out of traveling with contact lenses. 

Before heading off on your trip, visit your eye doctor to make sure your contact lens prescription is up-to-date.  

Ensure you pack extra supplies in your luggage, such as another set of contacts, your prescription glasses, and an additional contact lens case. It's not always easy to find your favorite products on vacation — so it's best to come prepared! 

If you're traveling by plane, keep your lenses and glasses in your carry-on luggage. But keep in mind that airports have specific rules on the amount of liquid you can keep in your carry-on bag, so consider bringing a small container of lens solution for this purpose. 

There are usually no limits for liquids in checked baggage, but this may vary depending on a country's aviation laws, so be sure to check before you fly.

How to Care For Your Contact Lenses While on the Road

To avoid contracting eye infections, strict hand hygiene is essential, whether you're at home or away. This means always washing your hands thoroughly (for at least 20 seconds) with soap and clean water, and drying them by air or on a clean towel, before touching your eyes or contacts. Use bottled water for handwashing if you're in an area with undrinkable tap water. 

Wearing your contacts for the recommended time and rinsing and storing your lenses daily with fresh lens solution is also key for maintaining good eye health. 

Using daily disposable contact lenses might be a good idea if you're traveling to a place where maintaining basic hygiene will be a challenge. Wearing your contacts once and throwing them away at the end of the day eliminates the need to clean and store them.

Eye Care in Pittsfield

 At Pittsfield Vision Associates, PC at Pittsfield, we're here to answer any questions you may have about contact lenses and eye health. Call us today to book your contact lens assessment or any other services. Wishing you a pleasant trip!

FAQ

How long can you wear contacts?

Most contacts are designed to be worn comfortably for 10-12 hours a day, but it's always best to follow your eye doctor's instructions.  

Can you wear contact lenses while swimming?

It is not recommended to swim with contacts in because it puts you at risk of multiple eye problems, including dryness, irritation, and serious infections which could ruin your vision and harm your eye health. 

Can you sleep with contact lenses?

Not unless your lenses are made specifically for overnight use. Sleeping with contact lenses designed for daytime use deprives your eyes of oxygen. It also increases the chances of infection and corneal abrasions.