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Updated November 27th, 2024 – Are you considering going on a camping trip with your friends but are hesitating because of your contact lenses? No need to worry because Lens.com is here to change your mind and convince you to go on that trip. This post discusses how you can have a great time camping even if you’re wearing contact lenses.
1. Ensure your hands are clean before handling your contact lenses
If you’re sure you’ll have a steady supply of clean water that will last the entire time you’re camping, pack antibacterial soap and enough paper towels for your trip. This way, you can easily wash and dry your hands before inserting and removing your contact lenses.
You should also pack antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, or rubbing alcohol as a backup. This way, you still have a way to clean your hands if clean water is readily available. Having clean hands before handling your contact lenses prevents the transfer of germs and bacteria that can cause serious infections.
2. Wear daily disposable contact lenses (dailies)
Dailies are better for camping compared to bi-weekly or monthly contact lenses. Camping exposes you to airborne elements such as dirt, dust, pollen, and bacteria. Since you are outdoors, the rate of bacteria and deposit buildup on your contact lenses increases, which can be difficult to deal with if you’re wearing bi-weekly or monthly contact lenses.
Another reason you should avoid wearing bi-weekly or monthly contact lenses when camping is that maintaining a strict daily contact lens care regimen can be a challenge. You’re outdoors, so you’ll likely have limited access to clean water that you’ll need for washing your hands. You also wouldn’t want to worry about cleaning your contact lenses when you’re supposed to be enjoying the outdoors beauty.
The answer to camping with contact lenses is to wear dailies because they’re much easier to maintain. You insert them at the start of the day, remove them at night before you sleep, and start with a fresh pair the next day. Wearing dailies when camping gives you much more time to enjoy your outdoor adventure.
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3. Pack spare dailies
When packing for a camping trip, make sure you bring extra dailies. Doing so allows you to easily insert fresh contact lenses in case the ones you’re wearing get uncomfortable or they somehow get dislodged from your eye. It’s rare for a contact lens to fall from the eye, but preparing for the worst is better.
If you’re camping for two days over a weekend, you should have at least four days’ worth of dailies: two days’ worth for your regular wear and two days’ worth of extra dailies. Packing extra dailies ensures you don’t have to worry about running out of fresh contact lenses during your camping trip.
4. Protect your eyes from the sun
Camping means plenty of exposure to the sun and the sun’s UV radiation. As such, you’ll need to protect your eyes from the sun.
Wearing contact lenses that provide UV protection isn’t enough. Contact lenses only cover your corneas, so they can’t protect the other parts of your eyes or the skin around your eyes.
The best way to protect your eyes from the sun is to pack a high-quality pair of sunglasses. Sunglasses can protect your entire eye and the skin surrounding your eyes. For maximum protection, pack UV 400 sunglasses. Sunglasses with a UV 400 label can block 99 percent to 100 percent of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
5. Pack artificial tears or lubricant eye drops.
Camping can be harsh on the eyes, especially if you wear contact lenses. In addition to airborne elements such as bacteria and pollen, there may be campfires burning nearby. The elements from the outdoors and heat from the fire can irritate and dry out your eyes.
Pack artificial tears or lubricant eye drops to prevent or treat eye dryness and irritation. These products contain moisturizing agents that help keep your eyes hydrated, and they can also wash away foreign substances that get into your eyes. Ever get smoke in your eyes? Ouch! That stings. Eye drops can provide immediate relief.
The great thing about artificial tears is that you can get them without a prescription. However, it’s still a good idea to consult your eye care professional before using them.
Camping Comfortably with Contact Lenses
Embarking on a camping adventure while wearing contact lenses is entirely feasible with proper preparation and hygiene practices. Prioritize hand cleanliness before handling your lenses to prevent infections. Opting for daily disposable contact lenses available on Lens.com can simplify maintenance and reduce the risk of contamination. Always carry essential supplies, such as extra lenses, a solution, and a clean case, to address unforeseen situations. By adhering to these guidelines, you can enjoy the great outdoors comfortably and safely without compromising your eye health.
