It is holiday season again! Many of us will be heading to the mountains, traveling to see relatives or taking a nice vacation to a warm place. Here are some tips that you can take with you while traveling.
Bring a pair of back-up glasses – If you wear glasses, bring two pairs of glasses on every trip. You never know when you may break or lose a pair of glasses. If you wear contact lenses, bring extra pairs of contacts just in case you rip or tear a contact lens along with your back-up glasses.
Prepare for dry eyes – Traveling on a plane for few hours? The dry air in the cabin can cause dryness and irritation especially if you wear contact lenses. If you plan on sleeping, it is best to take out your contact lenses and wear your glasses while on the plane. Bring over-the-counter artificial tears to lubricate your eyes.
Bring contact lens solution – Always bring two travel size contact lens solutions with you in case one spills. Remember to place your contact lenses in the proper contact lens case and bring a back up case. Never clean your contact lenses with tap water, as bacteria and other micro-organisms can cause serious eye infections.
Bring sunglasses – Make sure you have a set of shades that block 99% UV. Protecting your eyes from the sun does not only apply to the beach; UV rays reflected from the snow can cause your eyes to burn and cause damage. Whether you are on the beach, going to the mountains, or taking a road trip to Disneyland; wearing a good pair of sunglasses is very important for protecting your eyes.
Stock up on prescription drops – If you take prescription eye drops, bring extra unopened bottles on your trip especially when traveling overseas. Medications that you are taking may not be available at your destination. If you need eye drops for allergies, glaucoma, or dry eyes, be sure to bring them with you and bring extras.
Bring a copy of your current prescription for contact lenses and/or glasses – If you lose your contact lenses or glasses you can use your prescription to get replacements in a timely manner. You don’t want to ruin your trip because you can’t see!
Don’t ignore changes to your vision – Don’t ignore sudden blurred vision, eye pain, red eye, or double vision. These conditions may not be painful but can be the result of serious eye and health problems. Don’t wait. It is best to seek medical attention immediately from a local eye doctor to prevent vision loss. We have a 24 hour emergency phone service for our patients that will allow direct access to our doctor for a phone consultation. 925-743-1222
