Eye Care: Before taking a long road trip or getting on a plane, wear glasses. Air vents should be angled away from your eyes, since constant temperature fluctuations and low humidity could cause irritation.
Approximately 55% of people lose or break their sunglasses every year, according to the Vision Council. The importance of maintaining clear vision while traveling is evident when prescription eyeglasses are included. It is not uncommon for mischievous monkeys to smash open contact lens cases during the night by windows.
Prevent eye care mishaps by taking preventative measures. The following 15+ tips will help you recover if your sight is compromised while traveling.
1. Always have a backup:
In an effort to keep ourselves prepared, most of us pack at least one unnecessary piece of clothing for a trip. There’s no need to worry about having an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Whether they’re a bit out-of-date or not, pack a second pair of prescriptions. In addition to being a stylish fashion accessory, eyewear also serves a very functional purpose.
2. Don’t let them go:
You should never put anything in your checked bag that you cannot afford to lose, including eyewear and jewelry. In Tucson, keep glasses in a purse or carry-on bag so you won’t have to worry about them circling the baggage carousel.
3. Hard cases recommended:
It common for bags to get smashed in subways, purses to get sat on from time to time, and overhead bags to get smooshed. These high-pressure moments can survived by glasses in a durable case.
4. Try not to wear them on your head:
Have you ever noticed that when you’re exploring, you tend to look up so much? Tip-back heads are prone to glasses falling. When you in a crowded, touristy environment, they at an increased risk of getting crunched underfoot if they survive the fall. It is also more likely that monkeys will approach top-of-head glasses since they tend to stretch out. When you’re not wearing them, keep them in their case.
5. Mercury must installed:
You should wear insulated eyewear if you plan on traveling in extremely cold or hot weather. In extreme temperatures, glass lenses and frames can become damaged or broken. In addition to stretching or losing shape, extreme heat can also cause frames to stretch.
6. Be aware of your vision benefits:
It’s wise to check with your vision benefits to see what coverage you have in the case of lost or damaged eyewear, especially if you’re traveling abroad. A temporary pair of adjustable glasses can shipped if you break your own pair while climbing a waterfall, for instance, through EyeMed’s International Travel Solution.
7. Make a copy of your prescription:
The prescription should stored along with other pertinent travel information, such as your passport and toll-free credit card numbers. Use email (make sure there is Wi-Fi where you are traveling) to send yourself a copy. You may have to wait several hours if you travel in different time zones for the prescription to sent by your optometrist. Being safe is always a wise idea.
8. Keeping your eyes clean is imperative:
Liquid tears or drops can lubricate your eyes, preventing dryness and irritation that may result from long flights, changing climates, and late nights out. Before hitting the pillow, make sure you remove makeup and eyeliner before applying makeup. Hydration is also helpful for your eyes, so drink plenty of water.
9. Take a repair kit with you:
If you don’t have that tiny screw on hand, you will not be able to replace many eyeglass mishaps. Your toiletry bag will not weighed down by a bulky or heavy eyeglass repair kit. At Ye Olde English Hardware Store, you won’t find a screwdriver the size of a toothpick.
10. Make sure you wear prescription sunglasses:
Sunglasses that are 100% UV protected and prescription may the right travel accessory if you are traveling to a sunny climate or spending a lot of time outside. In addition to making the sights on the beach more appealing, they are especially helpful (if not required) on road trips.
11. Keep screens away from your face:
Our everyday lives are filled with screens and monitors. From our smartphones, desktop computers, tablets, and MP3 players to movie theatres, sports games, airports, train stations, and subways, we come across them everywhere. As we move through the day, we are likely to spend long periods of time looking at screens and working on handheld devices at much closer distances. We also have a much closer distance when reading printed material. It is possible to suffer from computer vision syndrome and eyestrain from the glare of screens. Handheld devices should be held at least 16 inches away from your eyes and your computer screen should be positioned at least an arm’s length away.
12. Blink, Blink, Blink:
Your blink rate tends to drop when you stare at text on a screen for an extended period of time due to excessive device use. If your eyes aren’t blinking often enough, they can become dry and irritated. Keep the 20-20-20 rule in mind: every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds and make sure you blink!
13. Consume seafood rich in Omega-3s:
Cold-water fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel and sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids that may lower the risk of dry eyes and eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. In the event that you do not enjoy seafood, consider taking fish oil supplements or other supplements that contain omega 3 fatty acids such as black current seed or flaxseed oil.
14. Greens are the way to go:
Vegetables that contain lutein and zeaxanthin include spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, avocados, and Brussels sprouts. Researchers from the National Eye Institute (NEI) conducted the AREDS 2 – Age-Related Eye Disease Study – which showed that certain dietary supplements including these pigments may prevent some eye diseases from progressing.
15. Take green tea:
Antioxidants found in green tea prevent cataracts and AMD development and keep eyes healthy.
16. Contact lenses need special care:
Whenever you insert or remove contacts, make sure you wash your hands and store them properly in a cleansing solution. Keep in mind that some eye drops contain ingredients that can react badly with your contact lenses, so follow your eye doctor’s instructions when using them. Always have a spare pair of glasses on hand in case you develop an eye infection or if the contacts do not feel right. Contacts should never be worn for longer than recommended. Wearing the same pair of lenses for too long can cause the eyes to become desensitized, which can lead to damage before the lenses feel dry.
15. Throw away old eye makeup:
Whenever possible, throw away old eye makeup, such as mascara, that has been in use for more than four months. Don’t use eyeliner on the inside of your eyelids and keep your eyeliner pencils sharpened regularly. Until your eyes heal, don’t use eye makeup if they are irritated.
16. Eye protection:
Whenever working in the garden, doing home repairs, or handling cleaning agents like bleach or oven cleaners, always wear protective eyewear or safety goggles.
17. At least once a year, schedule an eye exam with your eye doctor:
Eye exams are an effective indicator of your overall health as well as of early signs of eye disease. In addition to detecting heart problems, diabetes, strokes, brain tumors, and aneurysms, eye exams can also detect signs of multiple sclerosis. Your safety and quality of life can also be enhanced if you receive proper attention to vision problems.
