Over two billion people globally have some degree of vision impairment. As a result, millions use corrective devices to help with their eyesight.
Contact lenses are among the most popular of these corrective aids, with the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis estimating around 140 million users worldwide. In fact, they are so in demand that the contact lens market is expected to grow by 3.81% every year until 2029.
Regarding travel, contact lenses are great because they provide a seamless field of view so you can enjoy all your sights without obstructions. Additionally, they are less likely to react to heat, humidity, and cold, so you can have clear vision no matter where your adventure takes you.
Despite these benefits, contact lenses are medical devices that must be treated carefully. To ensure your contacts will continue to provide you with visual comfort and confidence, here are some tips to remember.
Switch to disposable lenses
For many contact lens users, reusable lenses are a practical choice since they can be worn for an extended period of time. However, studies have linked reusable contacts with the development of serious conditions. This includes health issues like corneal ulcers or limbal stem cell deficiency. If left unattended, these can progress to vision loss.
While developing such problems is a cause for concern anywhere, it may be more difficult to treat abroad. Considering that different countries have differing healthcare systems, it may be nearly impossible for you to find the right care provider to treat you. In some countries, like the US, healthcare gaps may take too long and be too costly for the average traveler. Instead, use disposable contacts, also called dailies, instead.
Numerous brands offer these, with labels like CooperVision even providing more specialized variants for conditions like astigmatism. Since they’re meant for single use, they’re less likely to cause infections. Just remember to dispose of them properly to avoid littering afterward.
Bring multiple lenses
According to a survey conducted by the Refractive Surgery Council, 36% of polled travelers worry about losing their contacts while on a trip, and another 22% actually have. Overseas, this can be an issue since you may not always be in an area where optical goods are sold.
Alternatively, it may be hard to find the specific contacts you need, especially since prescription formats and fittings can vary per country. For instance, in Spain, an optometrist can test your eyes and fit your lenses. However, in the UK, you’ll need to visit an optician to conduct the latter. To avoid this complication, pack multiple lenses.
This is easy to do in advance, given that you can purchase leading contact lens brands in multi-day boxes. To illustrate, you can find Acuvue packs with anywhere from six to 90 days’ worth of contacts inside. Since these are all the exact same prescription, you don’t have to worry about running out mid-trip. To err on the side of safety, bring more contacts than you think you’ll need.
This way, should you lose a pair or need to make a quick change, you’ll still have more than enough for the rest of your vacation.
Pack a contact lens solution
A significant perk that contacts offer is that they’re relatively fuss-free. However, since they are medical tools that sit right on top of your eyes, you want to make sure hygiene is a top priority. Even if you do use dailies with backups, as our two previous tips suggest, it’s important that your contacts are treated properly.
Normal water will not do, especially since some countries have more minerals in their waterways. In Mexico, for example, tap water is generally not treated to be safe enough for human consumption. As a result, if you were to use this on your contacts, you may end up harboring dangerous bacteria. At the very least, you may damage the integrity of your lens.
As a rule of thumb, use and bring contact lens solution. Since these are designed specifically for contacts, they are gentle yet effective at lubrication and cleansing. Bausch + Lomb even has solutions specially made for relubricating lenses that are already in your eyes, making this a handy item while on the road.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.