5 Ways To Protect Your Eye Health Whilst Travelling

A long-awaited holiday in the sun should be spent in full relaxation and enjoyment. However, it's easy to overlook your eye health whilst travelling abroad. Travelling smarter involves packing items and taking measures to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible. With swimming, activities and new sights, the last thing you want is an uncomfortable or inconvenient eye emergency. Curious about what measures you can take? Here are some tips that may help.

How to protect your eye health whilst travelling

1. Go for high-quality sunglasses

Travelling to sunnier climes can expose your eyes to damaging UV rays—which cause pain and discomfort in the long term—and glare that can reduce visibility. Luckily, a pair of quality sunglasses can help block UV rays, reduce the chances of sunburn, and cut out glare. It can elevate your outfits, too, which is a plus for stylish travellers. Take Ray-Ban’s Erika Classic. This sleek and timeless pair of women’s sunglasses provides extra coverage and 100% UV protection.

Glasses and contact lens wearers can also opt for a pair of prescription lenses for clear vision without compromise. With a reliable pair of prescription sunglasses, you can enjoy the scenery and take on outdoor activities like skiing, cycling, or hiking with maximum protection and coverage.

2. Avoid contact lenses in pools and showers

Opticians strongly advise against wearing contact lenses in pools and showers due to higher risk of infection. However, if you do enter the water with a pair of lenses in, be sure to change them immediately after getting out and change to a new pair. Prescription sunglasses are a great poolside accessory and removes all the hassle with contact lenses

3. Stay hydrated and keep your eyes moisturised

When travelling, it’s important to keep your eyes lubricated. Travelling on a plane, being jet-lagged, and staying in hot climates or windy conditions can leave you susceptible to dry eyes. This can be very uncomfortable since it can cause watering, crusting, and redness. It may even mildly blur your vision. Fortunately, it’s easy to prevent this. Make sure to pack some eye drops, which can relieve dry eyes immediately. Drinking lots of water on your trip can also help keep your eyes moisturised.

4. Always travel with a spare pair of glasses and a protective glasses case

If you normally wear eyeglasses, travelling can leave them susceptible to damage since you’ll be moving around more often. That said, it’s best to bring an extra pair. Alternatively, you can opt for sturdy frames you can keep using. Thankfully, there are many options for innovative eyewear on the market that revolutionise durability. Eyewear brand Eco’s prescription glasses, for instance, use bio-acetate instead of plastics, making them far sturdier and more lightweight. They’re also perfect for the eco-conscious wearer since they’re biodegradable and made from recycled materials.

5. Protect the skin around your eyes with a high SPF

If you’ve ever suffered from sunburn, you’ll know that the area around your eyes is particularly sensitive and can sting when you touch it. Not only does this cause irritation, but it can also encourage premature ageing since UV rays can reduce skin elasticity. To avoid worrying about this on your trip, wear your sunglasses after applying an SPF 50 sunscreen for maximum protection on your face—whether or not you plan to head outside.

If you do end up exposed to sunlight while going for a swim or sightseeing, you can soothe your skin at the end of the day with a nourishing eye cream or natural soothers like aloe or chamomile. This can provide immediate relief while helping maintain your skin's health.

Going on holiday takes immense preparation. By preparing adequately to protect your eyes, it's easier than ever to travel worry-free.