Traveling with your contact lenses

Contact lenses are a great way to travel. Here are a few tips to make your trip as smooth as possible.

Preparing for your trip with contact lenses

• Wear daily disposable contact lenses such as 1-DAY ^{ACUVUE®TruEye®} when you travel so you don't have to carry lens solutions and cases.
• If you use reusable contact lenses, it's a good idea to pack an extra pair or two in case you lose or damage the one you're wearing for the trip, or you can ask your eye doctor to try daily disposable lenses for your vacation, so you don't have to carry around bulky lens material
• Rather than carrying a large bottle of contact lens solution in your luggage, choose a travel size.You are allowed to carry small amounts (usually up to 100 ml) of eye drops and other liquids on board an airplane in a clear plastic bag. Larger amounts may only be allowed in your checked luggage.Check with your airline before you fly.
• Keep your lenses, lens case and travel size solution in your carry-on luggage so they don't get lost in transit.
• The pressurized environment in airplane cabins can cause lens solution to leak from some bottles and lens cases. Put your contact lens case and solution in an airtight zip lock bag. This way, there is no risk of leakage during the trip!

Travelling by plane

Disposable soft contact lenses have a high oxygen and water content that keeps them comfortable, moist and fresh during air travel.

However, the high pressure and dry air of an airplane cabin can dehydrate your eyes and skin. This can make your contact lenses less comfortable than usual. Here are a few tips to keep you comfortable during your trip:

• Take a bottle of moisturizing drops to relieve dry eyes and a small tube of moisturizer for your skin.
• Drink plenty of water to stay as hydrated as possible.
• Take your glasses and contact lens case with you in case you want to remove your lenses.
• Remove your contact lenses if you want to sleep.

Before touching your eyes or lenses, remember to wash your hands with soap. Then rinse them with clean water and dry them with a lint-free towel.

• Bring a new pair of lenses to put in at your destination for maximum comfort.

If you are going to a sunny location, make sure you are well informed about how to protect your eyes from the sun.