Traveling with Eye Conditions Essential Tips for Summer Vacations

Traveling with Eye Conditions: Essential Tips for Summer Vacations

  • By:Dr. Katie Dugan

As you are planning for summer travel, is there anything special you need to do to protect your eyes this summer? Too often, patients with eye conditions fail to maintain consistency in managing their eye care when they are away from home.

But with a proactive approach and a little bit of planning, it’s possible to protect your eyes and manage eye conditions.

Pack the Right Supplies

Make sure you have everything you need for eye care. Here are a few items you might consider packing:

  • Lubricating eye drops
  • Allergy medications if you have seasonal allergies that affect your eyes
  • Eye wash solution if you get anything in your eyes
  • Contact lens care – a case, cleaning solution, fresh contacts
  • A hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays
  • Sleep mask if you have a hard time sleeping when the sun comes up

Be Selective About Contact Lens Use

If you are boarding an airplane or going on a long road trip, consider using eyeglasses instead of contact lenses. Your eyes can get irritated if you fall asleep while wearing contact lenses. Additionally, the air vents in cars and planes can affect humidity and dry out your eyes.

Avoid Eye Strain

The use of digital devices can be common when people are looking for ways to pass the time while traveling. Whether watching movies on the airplane or reading ebooks on the beach, pay attention to the symptoms of eye strain.

Use the 20-20-20 rule to minimize the risk of eye strain. This means you should take a break after watching the screen for 20 minutes. When you look up from the screen for your break, make sure you are looking away for a minimum of 20 seconds and focus on an item at least 20 feet away.

Always Wear Sunglasses

This tip is one of the most important things that you can do to protect your eyes when spending time outside: take a quality pair of sunglasses on your trip. Always wear sunglasses when you are outside, even on an overcast day. Use sunglasses with UV protection to avoid damage to your eyes.

Call the Eyecare Experts

Hopefully, you won’t have any eye emergencies this summer. But if you need immediate help, then reach out to our team at Temecula Creek Optometry. We offer routine examinations, general checkups, and a variety of other eye care services. Contact our team at Temecula Creek Optometry to book your appointment: (951) 302 -1331.

Posted in: Eye Health