by Ian Pearson

If you know that there is a long trip ahead of you, then there is a number of things you need to take care of. The first things that you are going to think about are packing your clothes and food. However, it is essential that you keep your eye health and health in general in mind before heading out too.

It’s easy to properly take care of your eyes and follow the necessary routine while you are in the comfort of your home. It is during long trips that we tend to forget about how much eye care is important. You should do your best to prevent possible emergencies, which are going to be quite an issue if they happen far away from home. Here are some tips on how to take care of your eyes during long travels.

Take care of dry eyes

Dry eyes are often a result of air-conditioning during flight, allergies, or simply climate changes. What happens is that our eyes get sore, tired and scratchy, sensitive to light, and wearing contact lenses becomes uncomfortable. Every new environment can trigger known or unknown allergies, so it is important that you have antihistamine tablets with you. If you are traveling to a crowded city, then you should be wary of all the pollutants in the air.

The best solution for dry eyes are proper eye drops. You need to make sure that you carry them around, so that you can take care of your eyes right away, in case you start developing dry eyes. If you are wearing contact lenses, you need to take good care of them, and bring along an extra pair in case something happens to the ones you are using. Don’t sleep with your contacts in, and take them out while swimming, so that you don’t develop an infection.

Environments with a great amount of air-conditioning are an issue, so you might consider getting a portable humidifier. Rooms with a lot of smoke, such as restaurants and bars, are also a common issue. Make sure that you eat a lot of healthy food that is good for the eyes, such as one that includes Vitamin A, and drink a lot of water. When applying eye makeup, make sure that you are using products that are good for the eyes, and learn how to do it with minimal effects when your eyes are dry.

Carry comfortable sunglasses

A good pair of comfortable sunglasses is essential eye protection from wind, UV rays, glare, rain, and anything that might get into your eyes. Get yourself a light pair of sunglasses, made out of acetate or plastic, so that getting them wet isn’t a problem. It’s also a hygienic solution, due to the fact that the general case with plastic sunglasses today is that they are hypoallergenic, and resistant to getting scratched, which means that they are bacteria-proof. Wraparound glasses are a great and practical choice too.

In the case that you require prescription lenses, it is important to be sure that your prescription is correct and updated. Getting sunglasses for the wrong prescription will put extra strain on your eyes, which certainly isn’t the way to go. Having a prescription makes it easy for you to find the proper sunglasses for you. If you have the budget, you can get yourself a pair of polarized lenses, to protect your eyes from glare. High UV protection is essential, so on the existing scale from 0 to 4, you should get ones that are at least 3.

Think about things ahead

Before you decide to go to a long trip, you should take the time and get your eyes checked. By doing this, you are making sure that your (and your family’s) eye health is at its best, and that all your prescriptions are properly updated. This is particularly important for your kids, because they might have a problem with their eyes that they can’t describe or simply aren’t aware of. School screenings tend to not do the best at their job, and often miss out on prescribing glasses to children who need them, so you need to make it your obligation to get your children the dioptric that is necessary for them.

Furthermore, if you are a senior citizen, you are certainly already knowledgeable about how your skin changes and loses its elasticity as you grow older, and results in excessive skin on your upper and lower eyelids. Next to giving you an old and tired look, the excessive skin that accumulated on your eyelids can be a problem for your line of sight. Eyelid surgery Sydney experts suggest considering eyelid surgery as a solution to this particular problem. While commonly considered a cosmetic procedure, it can also be an important thing to do in order to improve your eyesight.

In summation

When deciding to head out on a long trip, you need to think about where you are traveling. Consider factors such as means of travel, climate, and accommodation. Dry eyes are a common issue that you need to take care of by always carrying eye drops with you, as well as antihistamines in case of an allergy attack. A quality and comfortable pair of sunglasses with good UV protection is a must. Make sure that you are eating healthy, and taking frequent breaks from reading. In the case that you develop serious symptoms, make sure that you visit a healthcare professional immediately.

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