The Spectator

Whether you’re heading to the coast, exploring a new city, or jetting off somewhere sunny, your eye care deserves just as much preparation as your passport.

A little planning before you travel can help you avoid damaged specs, dry eyes, or uncomfortable contact lenses, so you can focus on enjoying your holiday. Here are our top travel tips for spectacle and contact lens wearers.

Pack a Spare Pair of Glasses

One of the easiest ways to avoid a holiday headache is to bring a spare pair of specs. Accidents happen, and specs can very easily be sat on, dropped, or misplaced while travelling. If your main pair breaks, a spare means you won’t be left struggling to see for the rest of your trip.

If you're a contact lens wearer, packing a pair of specs can be a real lifesaver. While contact lenses are convenient, they can sometimes cause dryness or irritation, especially when travelling. Factors such as air conditioned flights, hot climates, swimming, or spending long days outdoors can all make your eyes feel less comfortable. If your eyes become dry or irritated, or you're visiting somewhere that could aggravate them, it's often best to switch to your spectacles and give your eyes a chance to recover. 

Flying With Contact Lenses

Aeroplane cabins have very low humidity, which can cause contact lenses to become dry and uncomfortable. If you’re flying, consider wearing your specs instead, particularly on longer flights. If you do wear contact lenses while travelling:

• Use lubricating eye drops that are suitable for contact lens wear
• Stay well hydrated throughout your flight
• Avoid sleeping in your lenses unless they are specifically designed for overnight wear and your optometrist has advised it’s appropriate
• Follow recommended wear times
• Wash your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses

Once you arrive, if your eyes feel dry or irritated, switch to your specs for a few hours to give your eyes a chance to recover.

Look After Your Contact Lenses Abroad

Travelling can disrupt your usual routine, so it’s important to stay on top of your lens hygiene.

Remember to pack:

• Extra lenses
• Contact lens solution if you wear reusable lenses (never transfer solution into a smaller travel-size bottle as this will destroy the sterility of the liquid, creating a severe risk of dangerous eye infections)
• A clean contact lens case
• Lubricating eye drops
• Your specs as a backup

Never rinse your lenses or lens case with tap water, bottled water, or seawater. Water can contain microorganisms that may lead to serious eye infections. Always use fresh contact lens solution.

If you’re swimming or enjoying water sports, it’s safest to remove your contact lenses beforehand. Prescription swimming goggles are always a great alternative if you still want to see clearly underwater.

Protect Your Eyes With Quality Sunspecs

Bright sunshine doesn’t just make you squint. Long-term exposure to UV rays can increase the risk of eye conditions including cataracts and macular degeneration.

Choose sunspecs that offer: 

• 100% UVA and UVB protection or UV400 protection
• Comfortable coverage that limits sunlight entering from the sides
• Polarised lenses if you spend time near water, driving, or enjoying outdoor activities, as they reduce glare and improve visual comfort

Remember, darker lenses don’t necessarily provide better protection. It’s the UV protection built into the lenses that really matters, so make sure you’re choosing UV certified lenses.

Keep Your Specs Safe

Your glasses work hard on holiday, whether you’re sightseeing, relaxing by the pool, or exploring somewhere new.

To keep them in great condition:

• Always store them in a hard protective case when you’re not wearing them
• Clean them with a microfibre cloth and lens cleaning spray rather than tissues or clothing, which can scratch the lenses
• Avoid leaving them in hot cars or on sun loungers, as excessive heat can affect certain lens coatings and even distort some frame materials
• If you’re spending time at the beach, rinse away any sand before wiping your lenses to prevent scratches
   

What if Your Specs Break While You’re Away?

Even with the best care, accidents can happen.

If you have any issues with your specs, try and visit a local optician as they may be able to carry out a temporary repair. Small spectacle repair kits can be useful for tightening loose screws, but if your frames snap, it’s usually best to wait until you can have them properly assessed.

If you’re abroad, your spare pair can be invaluable until you’re able to visit an optical practice.

It’s a good idea to keep a copy of your current spectacle and contact lens prescriptions with you, either printed or stored securely on your phone. If you lose or damage your eyewear while travelling, having your prescription readily available can make replacing it much easier.

Enjoy Your Holiday With Clear, Comfortable Vision

A little preparation goes a long way when travelling with spectacles or contact lenses. Packing a spare pair, protecting your eyes from UV rays, and maintaining correct contact lens hygiene can help you avoid unnecessary problems while you’re away.

If you’re overdue an eye exam before your holiday, need a new pair of sunspecs, or want advice on travelling with contact lenses, our team at The Eye Place will be happy to help. Pop into your local practice or book an appointment before you travel, so you can enjoy your holiday with clear, comfortable vision from start to finish.