How to Travel with Contact Lenses
Travel is exciting. Realizing you forgot your contact lens solution in a hotel bathroom? Not so much.
If you wear contact lenses, a little planning before your trip can save you a lot of frustration later. Whether you're heading out for a weekend getaway, a business trip, or a two-week vacation, the last thing you want is to deal with blurry vision, dry eyes, or a missing contact lens when you're far from home.
The good news is that traveling with contacts is usually pretty simple when you're prepared.
Here's everything you should know before you pack your bags.
Bring More Contacts Than You Think You'll Need
One of the biggest mistakes contact lens wearers make is packing exactly the number of lenses they'll need.
Contacts tear.
They get dropped.
They dry out.
Sometimes they mysteriously disappear into a hotel sink and are never seen again.
Bringing extra lenses is one of the easiest ways to avoid unnecessary stress during your trip.
Always Bring Backup Glasses
Even if you wear contacts almost every day, travel is one of those situations where glasses become incredibly valuable.
Long flights, dry climates, allergies, irritation, or simply wanting to give your eyes a break can all make glasses your best friend.
If you only pack contacts and something goes wrong, you could spend the rest of your trip struggling to see clearly.
Build a Contact Lens Travel Kit
Keeping all your contact lens supplies together makes traveling much easier.
Consider packing:
- Extra contact lenses
- Contact lens solution
- A lens case
- Lubricating eye drops
- Backup glasses
- A copy of your prescription
- Hand sanitizer
- A small mirror
Keeping these items in your carry-on is usually the safest option.
Make Sure Your Prescription Is Current
Before leaving, check when your contact lens prescription expires.
If it's due to expire soon, scheduling an eye exam before your trip can save you a headache later. If you lose your contacts or need to reorder while you're away, having a valid prescription can make the process much easier.
Flying With Contact Lenses
Air travel is one of the most common situations where contact lenses can become uncomfortable.
Why Do Contacts Feel Dry on Airplanes?
Airplane cabins have extremely low humidity.
That dry environment can pull moisture away from both your eyes and your contact lenses, making them feel less comfortable than normal.
Staying hydrated and using lubricating eye drops can help significantly.
Should You Wear Contacts or Glasses on a Flight?
There isn't one right answer.
For shorter flights, many people comfortably wear their contacts the entire time.
For longer flights, glasses are often the more comfortable option.
If you're planning to sleep, glasses are usually the safer choice since most contact lenses aren't approved for overnight wear.
Can You Sleep in Contacts on a Plane?
Generally, no.
Unless your specific lenses are approved for overnight wear, sleeping in contacts increases your risk of irritation and infection.
If you're taking a red-eye flight, consider switching to glasses before falling asleep.
Can You Bring Contact Lens Solution on a Plane?
Yes, absolutely.
You can bring both contact lenses and contact lens solution on a plane. However, depending on the size of your bottle, you may not be able to bring the entire thing through security in your carry-on.
For most trips, a travel-size bottle is the easiest option. If you're going to be gone for a while, you can always pack a larger bottle in your checked luggage.
Whatever you do, do not use water instead.
It can be tempting if you're in a pinch, but contact lenses should never be stored, rinsed, or soaked in tap water, bottled water, hotel sink water, or airplane sink water. Water can contain harmful microorganisms that may stick to your lenses and increase your risk of serious eye infections, including Acanthamoeba keratitis.
If you wear reusable contacts, make sure you bring enough solution to get through your trip. If you wear daily disposable lenses, traveling can be a little easier since you can simply throw them away at the end of the day and open a fresh pair the next morning.
Are Daily Contacts Better for Travel?
For many people, yes.
Daily disposable lenses are incredibly convenient when traveling because you don't have to worry about cleaning, disinfecting, or storing them.
At the end of the day, you simply throw them away and open a fresh pair the next morning.
Many travelers love daily contacts because there's less to pack and fewer things that can go wrong.
Traveling Internationally With Contact Lenses
If you're leaving the country, a little extra preparation can help.
Bring enough lenses to cover your entire trip plus extras.
While contacts are available in many countries, finding your exact brand, prescription, and parameters isn't always easy.
It's also smart to keep a copy of your prescription somewhere accessible just in case you need it.
What If You Lose a Contact Lens While Traveling?
First, don't panic.
This is one of the most common contact lens travel problems.
If you've packed extra lenses, simply replace it.
If you didn't bring extras, switch to glasses if possible.
This is exactly why overpacking contact lenses is usually a good idea.
What If You Run Out of Contacts During Your Trip?
Depending on where you're traveling, you may be able to order replacement lenses or visit a local eye care provider.
However, this can become much more complicated if you're in another country or don't have access to your prescription information.
Bringing extras is always easier than trying to replace lenses on the road.
Swimming and Contact Lenses
Vacation often means pools, beaches, lakes, and hot tubs.
Unfortunately, water and contact lenses are not a great combination.
Water can introduce bacteria and microorganisms that may stick to your lenses and increase the risk of serious eye infections.
If you're swimming, prescription goggles are usually the safest option.
If you absolutely must wear contacts around water, daily disposable lenses are often preferred because they can be discarded immediately afterward.
What If Sand Gets Into Your Contact Lens?
Beach vacations can be rough on contact lenses.
If sand gets into your eye, remove your contact lens as soon as possible.
Trying to blink through it can sometimes scratch the surface of your eye or damage the lens.
Rinse your eye with sterile saline or lubricating drops and insert a fresh lens if needed.
Stick to Recommended Wear Times
Vacation days tend to be long.
Early flights, sightseeing, dinners, and late nights can make it tempting to leave contacts in longer than usual.
Try not to.
Most contact lenses are generally intended for around 12 to 16 hours of wear per day.
If your eyes start feeling dry, irritated, or tired, switching to glasses for the evening is often the best move.
What Should You Do If Your Eyes Become Red or Painful While Traveling?
Remove your contacts immediately.
Mild dryness can sometimes improve with lubricating eye drops and a break from lenses.
However, significant redness, pain, light sensitivity, discharge, or sudden blurry vision should be evaluated by an eye care professional as soon as possible.
Before your trip, it's worth taking a few minutes to identify the nearest pharmacy or eye clinic to where you'll be staying.
Hopefully you'll never need it, but it's nice to know where to go if something comes up.
Contact Lens Travel Checklist
Before you leave, make sure you have:
- Enough contact lenses for your trip plus extras
- Contact lens solution
- A contact lens case
- Lubricating eye drops
- Backup glasses
- A copy of your prescription
- Hand sanitizer
FAQ
Can airport security see my contact lenses?
Yes, but contact lenses are completely normal travel items and generally don't create any issues during security screening.
Can I wear contacts through an entire vacation?
Yes, as long as you're following the recommended replacement schedule and wear times for your lenses.
Should I switch to daily contacts for a trip?
Many people find daily disposables easier and more convenient while traveling, but your eye doctor can tell you whether they're available for your prescription.
Can I use bottled water to rinse my contacts?
No. Contact lenses should only be cleaned and stored using approved contact lens solution or sterile saline.
What is the biggest contact lens mistake people make while traveling?
Usually either packing too few lenses or forgetting backup glasses.
Can altitude affect contact lenses?
Yes. High-altitude environments are often drier, which can make contact lenses feel less comfortable than usual.
Is it okay to shower with contacts while traveling?
No. Always remove your contacts before showering. Water exposure can increase the risk of eye infections.