We are both shortsighted and simply can’t imagine living without contact lenses. I have astigmatism and -11 dioptres and wearing normal glasses is very uncomfortable for me in everyday life. But I know from my own experience that people who wear lenses are particularly vulnerable to various discomforts while travelling. Long-haul flights, dry air, intense sunshine… How to take care of your eyes on the go?

7 EYE CARE TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS

1. Always pack your glasses for holidays

I wear contact lenses over half my life and they have become somehow a part of me. I don’t use glasses at all and are usually hidden somewhere in the bottom of the closet. But I always pull them out before the trip and pack in a suitcase with a spare pair of lenses. Why do I take glasses anyway? I honestly say that a few years ago I carelessly went to Ukraine only wearing lenses and of course on the second day of holidays I got the worst conjunctivitis in life. Wearing lenses wasn’t an option at all. I spent the next 3 days without anything to help my poor eyes. Taking into account my defect of vision, I was walking almost “blindly”… Literally, I haven’t seen much in Ukraine.

2. Remove contact lenses while flying long-haul

A box and a contact lenses solution is a must in my cabin baggage during long-haul flights. I always buy a solution in these small bottles instead of pouring from the big bottle to empty one, because I care about sterility. If the flight lasts over 4-5h, then the first thing I do on board is removing contact lenses and putting glasses on. The most unpleasant thing that can happen is falling asleep for a few hours wearing lenses, especially if your lenses are not adapted to use them 24/7. Opening the eyes after such a nap is super unpleasant. Even if you are not planning to sleep – the air in the plane is very dry, I always feel discomfort after a few hours on board, even wearing glasses. Wearing contact lenses only makes it worse for me!

3. Use eye drops on regular basis while travelling

Even when I remove the lenses on the plane, putting them on again after a few hours of aboard is a torture. My eyes feel so itchy and dry… We recently had a chance to test the Hyabak moisturizing eye drops and I must say it was exactly what we needed. Previously we’ve never used eye drops, only using contact lens solution when needed to clean the lenses or moisture eyes. Totally ineffective.

Hyabak eye drops contain 0.15% hyaluronic acid, which binds water perfectly, preventing the eyes and contact lenses from drying. So far, I’ve known hyaluronic acid primarily from moisturizing creams, but it’s also a component of tears that are naturally distributed on the eyeball while blinking. Michal, who is allergic, also liked them for the gentle moisturizing effect, even for sensitive eyes. Important information – these eye drops contain no preservatives and are perfect for people wearing contact lenses!

Moisturizing Hyabak eye drops are perfect for the holidays as well. They have a UVB filter that further protects our eyes from harmful sun rays. Remember, however, that when exposed to the sun, always use sunglasses anyway. UVB radiation not only irritates the eye by causing it to dry out or becoming sensitive to light. It can also damage the delicate internal tissue of the eye! The drops themselves were perfect for a sunny, windy day on the beach, when I ended up with sand in my eyes. Hyabak eye drops quickly washed away the dirt.

I immediately thought of all these moments when eye drops could have been so helpful for me, such as during a sandstorm in Dubai… From now on, I’ve been packing these drops in my carry on cosmetic bag and I can’t imagine any flight without them! Using eye drops while travelling is usually one of my top eye care tips.

Tip: How to properly instill eye drops? Before touching your eyelids, wash your hands. Pull down the lower eyelid with your index finger, close to the outside of the eye – not close to your nose. Dropping in the corner next to the nose makes drops go through the tear duct to the nose, and from there to the throat. Instill a drop without touching the eye or eyelid with the bottle, then close the eye for at least a minute. Ready! Remember to finish your eye drops bottle within 3 months!

4. Wear sunglasses… but only high-quality ones!

When I write high-quality, I don’t mean expensive, but the ones with a proper certificate, purchased from an optician or from a trusted source. Sometimes I see tourists who are tempted by sunglasses from the stalls for a few dollars. These glasses are a big NO. And that’s not even because they are usually fake Prada or Gucci sunglasses (although I also condemn it), but… They can do more harm than if we weren’t using any sunglasses at all! How is that possible? They cause the pupil to expand and get more UV radiation, damaging the delicate tissues inside the eye. It’s worth investing in something decent!

5. Use swimming goggles or mask

This point is important especially for those who wear contact lenses. If you are swimming in lenses, even if it’s just playing in the sea, you should always use swimming goggles. Probably most of you know that dipping your head and snorkeling with open eyes while wearing contact lenses is a bad idea. But to be honest, I did this once when I started wearing lenses a dozen or so years ago. Of course, one of my lenses decided to sail away and discover the seas and oceans on her own…

6. Protect skin surrounding your eyes

This is particularly important in the summer when our delicate skin around the eyes is exposed to UV radiation. A part of my morning routine is putting some eye cream with UV filter, but in the evening I rub something more nourishing. If you spent the night partying like crazy, try the grandmom’s method for swelling eyes. Simply put previously brewed, cold black tea bags on your eyes and relax (better remove the lenses before!).

7. Maintain a proper diet

Proper diet is the key to success, not only when it comes to eye care tips. Vitamin A is essential for your eyes, fortunately, you will find it in some really delicious goodies, which I enjoy eating during holidays: mangoes, papayas, sweet potatoes, but also in carrots, broccoli or tomatoes. Vitamin C and E, lutein, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids are also salvation for our eyes.

Do you have any other eye care tips when travelling?