Traveling can be a fun and exciting experience. But when you’re away from your normal routine, it’s easy to neglect taking care of your health. Proper eye care is one important thing that many people forget about during their travels.
We have a few suggestions that will help you keep your eyes healthy while you travel.
Get Your Eyes Checked
Getting an annual eye exam is important whether you are traveling or not — but it’s especially important to get your family’s eyes checked out before a long trip so that you can be sure that everyone is beginning the journey with healthy eyes and updated prescriptions.
Protect Your Eyes From the Sun
Remember to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. Wear UV-rated sunglasses that provide 100 percent UV or UV400 protection along with a hat to protect your eyes. Even if the sky is cloudy, the sun’s rays can pass through and damage your eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, overexposure to the sun can lead to cataracts, eye cancers and other eye diseases.
Stay Hydrated
Many people experience dry eyes when they travel. Being on airplanes, long travel days and changes in climate can all result in dry, irritated eyes. Prevent this from happening by drinking plenty of water. Aim for seven to eight glasses a day. You should also limit your caffeine intake and eat water-rich foods such as watermelon, oranges and grapes. You can replenish lost moisture in your eyes with lubricating eye drops.
Come Prepared
Always bring a backup pair of eyeglasses and extra pairs of contact lenses when you travel. Losing your glasses or ripping a contact lens when you are away from home can be extremely frustrating. Don’t waste your precious vacation time in a doctor’s office trying to get a replacement prescription when you could have easily brought a backup! If you wear contacts, remember to bring a lens case and enough cleaning solution. Remember to never clean your contacts with water — it is not sterile!
Don’t Ignore Changes in Vision
If you are experiencing changes in your vision, see a local ophthalmologist immediately. Things like floaters, flashes and blurred vision can be a sign of a serious condition, such as a retinal detachment, diabetes or even a stroke. Waiting to be treated until you get home from your trip can make such problems much worse. Go to a local eye care center as soon as possible and get your vision checked.
If you’re looking for a premier Toronto area ophthalmologist, schedule an appointment with Dr. Raymond Stein by calling or emailing Bochner Eye Institute today.
