Can I Wear Contact Lenses in Desert? Travel Tips to Egypt with Contact Lenses

Traveling is itself challenging. Since the weather you are traveling to may be drastically different than the country you are traveling from, it is always maniacal to manage with contact lenses. You need proper management and a prior check-list with contact lenses in order to travel safely. Wearing contact lenses in dusty locations should not be a problem just as it has never been a problem to wear contacts when travelling to sub-zero temperatures if the trip is planned acordingly

Wearing Contact Lenses in Egypt: Surviving Dust Storms

In deserts your major concern should be protecting yourself from the scorching sun rays and dust.  Covering your body is essential along with covering your eyes. If you are wearing prescription contact lenses, it is advised to switch to UV interception daily disposable contact lenses. Ensure maximum interception of UVAB rays by pairing your contact lenses with UV interception sun glasses.

When traveling to deserts; take an extra mile when it comes to safety of eyes & optimum vision. Though contact lenses with UV interception can block harmful rays with efficacy, it is advised to wear wrap-around sun-glasses for maximum benefits against windy weather of the desert.

Wrap-around Sunglasses & Contact Lenses

Remember, in desert; none of these counterparts remain counterparts but are must-have devices. The reason is the inefficiency of both these devices to battle against grit & UVAB rays. Sunglasses let significantly high amount of sun rays enter your eyes from above, below and sides. This is the time when your contact lenses come forward to block these clever rays. On the other hand, wearing wrap-around sun glasses provide maximum endurance from the grit even when you are trapped in a dust storm.

Also Read: [3 Ways to Protect your Eyes from the Sun]

Over exposure to sunrays can cause several types of cataracts and macular degeneration. Studies have shown that maximum protection comes from the combination of sunglasses & UV interception contact lenses as contacts can protect the areas of your eyes that your sunglasses can not and vice versa. 

DOs of Contact Lenses: Travel Tips with Contact Lenses

Depending on the destination you are heading to; traveling tips with contact lenses may vary. Most sensitive care is required when you are traveling by air. Since during long haul flights you are exposed to air cabins with reduced atmospheric pressure, humidity and oxygen; contact lenses dry quickly and the solution may leak. Furthermore, strict regulations make it worse to manage with contact lenses. This however, does not restrict you from wearing contact lenses when you travel because they are prosthetic medical devices that are considered essential. With little management, you can safely continue to wearing your contact lenses.

Also Read: How to Survive Long Haul Flights with Contact Lenses

1. Carry only 3 ounces or less (100 ml) of contact lens solution or it will be confiscated at the airport. Due to strict regulations on carrying liquid, you are not allowed to carry a full sized bottle of the solution. It is advised to use all in one solution, therefore.
2. Carry the full sized contact lens solution bottle in your checked-luggage. Since it is considered a medical necessity; after assessment, it will be cleared to be carried in your luggage.
3. Carry a small bottle of re-wetting drops in your beauty bag. Due to reduced air-pressure, you may feel dryness which can be reduced using eye drops.
4. Do your packing wisely. Keep your contact lens accessories in a plastic zip lock bag to prevent leaking the solution. Remember thumb rule of 3:1:1 i.e. 3 ounces of liquid, 1 zip lock bag and 1 plastic bag per passenger
5. Bring along two spare pairs of contact lenses, just in case you damage one. It is recommended to travel with daily disposable contact lenses so that you open a fresh par every day without having to find additional time to take care of your contacts.  

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Packing your Beauty Bag Wisely for Traveling

Cornea at Risk: Avoid Applying Makeup & Contact Lenses on the Go

Doctors warn women to avoid applying makeup & contact lenses on the go; as a sudden jolt could lead you to poke your eyes accidentally. Human eyes are resilient but improper handling of contact lenses & poor hygiene practices trigger searing & vision threatening infections.

Speaking ahead of the National Eye Health Week, Dr Blakeney said: “Talking about good make-up hygiene and habits may seem trivial, but we’re keen to encourage people to take some simple steps, such as hand-washing and taking notice of expiry information, that may help minimize potential risks to eye health."

Inserting contact lenses or touching up makeup whilst travelling, carry potential risks & health hazards. Accidental poking triggers Injurious infections, corneal abrasions & permanent vision loss. Contact lenses ensure greater freedom, sense of security and enhanced peripheral vision which actually contributes to reduce the risk of crashes during driving. This being said, there lies no harm wearing contact lenses during driving. What puts you at risk is your ignorance & negligence. Inserting contact lenses or fixing your makeup should not be an option when you drive or are travelling as a passenger.

Whilst travelling, consumers tend to ignore the instructions embedded on the product. Like contact lenses, products like mascara and eye liners also come with an expiry date. This is yet another threat of applying makeup on the go.

If contact lenses are to be fixed- take a pause from whatever you are doing. Disinfect your hands using a disinfectant or a hand sanitizer before putting your lenses in. Wear preventive ocular wear such as shades to help protect eyes from accidental mishaps. Furthermore, doctors recommend using water-soluble-makeup as it reduces the chances of infection. Water soluble makeup agents gets washed away with tears if get into contact with eyes & contact lenses.