Many of us are excited to hit the road, the skies, or even just the local swimming pool as temperatures warm and travel restrictions ease. In your haste to get out of dodge, don’t forget about your eyes when packing. The last thing anyone wants is a vacation or trip ruined by a painful eye infection, or irritated dry eyes. With a bit of extra planning, your eyes can be travel-ready. As the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says, Healthy Eyes = Happy Eyes. We know that Happy Eyes also equals Happy Travelers.
Eye-Friendly Travel Tips To Go
What Does Self-Care for Your Eyes Look Like?
Smart Tips For Keeping Your Eyes Healthy When Traveling
There are some simple rules for the road when it comes to traveling and eye health:
- Don’t sleep in your contacts.
- Keep your eyes clean. Remove all makeup before bed.
- Always wash and dry your hands before touching your eyes.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and prevent dry eyes.
- Continue your daily moist heat eye mask routine if you have access to a microwave to keep your eyes refreshed and your tear film and tears healthy.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule for those movie marathons and when scrolling through photos and social media: every 20 minutes, look away from your screen, to a point 20 feet away for 20 seconds to avoid eye strain.
- Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that protect against UVA and UVB rays.
The last thing anyone wants is a vacation or trip ruined by lost glasses, a painful eye infection, or irritated dry eyes. With a bit of extra planning, your eyes can be travel-ready.
Eye Hygiene on the Go
- Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes. Pack hand sanitizer or alcohol-containing wipes if you won’t have access to clean, running water.
- Use contact lens cleaning solution to clean your lenses, never water.
- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) follows the 3-1-1 rule for carry-on liquids: Any liquids must be in a resealable container that is 3.4 ounces or less, and all containers must fit in one clear, plastic, resealable 1-quart-sized bag. Travel-pros suggest buying several travel-size containers of contact lens solution, and lubricating eye drops to have with you in your carry-on. You can fly with larger-sized containers of contact lens liquid in your checked baggage if need be.
- Carry hygienic eye wipes such as Bruder Hygienic eyelid wipes. Non-irritating and no-rinse formulations help wipe all debris and oil (including sunblock) off of your lids. They are perfect for camping adventures or travel to areas without clean, running water.
- Add Bruder Hygienic Eyelid Solution (0.02% pure Hypochlorous acid solution spray – HOCl)
- Don’t forget to pack your Bruder eye mask. Portable, foldable, and microwaveable, this eye mask can help you relax and fall asleep, regardless of how jet-lagged you might be.
EYE CARE TIP
A Daily Eye Hygiene Routine Can Help:
- Your eyes feel more comfortable after screen use
- Relieve symptoms of dry eye
- Prevent future eye problems
Your Packing List for Comfortable and Healthy Travelling-Eyes
- Bruder Moist Heat Eye Compress
- No-Rinse, non-irritating eye wipes such as Bruder Hygienic Eye Wipes
- Bruder Hygienic Eyelid solution
- Lubricating eye drops
- Travel-sized bottles of contact lens solution
- Replacement Disposable Contact Lenses or a new set of contact lenses depending on which type of lenses you wear
- A pair of glasses (even if you are a full-time contact lens wearer)
- Your eye prescription in case you need to replace your glasses or contact lenses on your trip
The Bruder Hygienic Eyelid Kit is all-inclusive, coming with everything you need to travel: a Bruder moist heat compress, hygienic eye wipes, hygienic eyelid solution, hygienic eyelid sheets, and a convenient carrying case for it all.
Blurry Vision? Dry Eye and Screen Time May Be to Blame
When To See An Eye Doctor if You are Traveling
While natural remedies for blurry eyes or dry eyes like moist heat therapy may help prevent problems, there are some eye emergencies that require help from an eyecare professional. Some eye conditions, if not treated, can lead to permanent damage or loss of vision.
If you have any of the following symptoms, remove your contact lenses right away and then contact an eye doctor:
- Eye pain
- Red eyes
- Sudden blurry vision or loss of vision in one eye
- Discharge (unusual fluid leaking out of your eyes)
- A change in your field of vision, especially if you see “floaters” or white, zig-zagging stars.
Are you wondering whether you should get on that plane or hold off and get your eyes checked by a doctor before traveling? The American Academy of Ophthalmology has the answers to your questions about when it is safe to fly after certain eye surgeries or with particular eye conditions.
Ready to improve your eye care? Order the #1 Doctor Recommended family of eye care products
Warm compress for the treatment of dry eye, blepharitis and other eye irritations.
