Traveling with Contact Lenses

[FFR]

This is rather a weird question, but hopefully someone has some suggestions. I just got contacts late last year and I am taking my first tropical-ish vacation with contacts instead of glasses. We are heading to Hawaii next week and my question is this:

Is it safe to wear them while we do such activities as surfing or snorkeling (assuming I wear goggles while snorkeling)? I mean I could go without them, but I'd be quite blind and it wouldn't work so well.

I've worn my contacts swimming before, but I dont' know how salt water affects them. Obviously I can't open my eyes, but that hurts in salt water anyways.

Like I said, rather weird, a little silly but I don't know anyone who has contacts who's gone surfing! Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated.

[BlackEleven]

Are they disposabiles? It can be certainly be done, but I wouldn't risk it if its your only pair. They may fall out, but then just pop in a new pair. I've only had mine fall out once with watersports.

[FFR]

They are the 14 day disposable ones. So yeah, I could just grab new ones if I lose them or something happens to them.

[JayP]

I wore mine in Hawaii a few years back and went snorkeling, snuba, and surfing. That is in addition to swimming on the beach every day as well. I didn't have any problems.

However, it's always best to bring a spare pair (or two). It's not like they take up a lot of room. I'd bring my pair of glasses too.

[nfotiu]

I've been wearing contacts for 20 years, and always wear them swimming, surfing, whatever. Never lost one. Always travel with at least one back up pair and my glasses, just in case.

[Russic]

Obviously don't open your eyes under water, but beyond that I see no reason why you should have any problems. Bring a few spare pairs for when that rogue wave hits you in the face.

[Knut]

You should invest in some Daily Disposables.... Once you get out of the water you really should be throwing the lenses out. Especially with dirty hotel swimming pools. Your contacts create a warm, moist environment for bacteria to thrive in.

The Ocean should be ok as it is salt water... but that will dry the lenses out on the eye.

Regardless, to be safe you should remove the contacts after contact with water. Even if you just store them in the solution for the a few hours after swimming

[Sylvanfan]

Yeah, depending who you get them from too, not a bad idea to bring a copy of your prescription with you. For example I usually get mine from Costco, so if I need new ones I can go to a Costco get them to phone the one who have my prescription and they can send it to them and sell me some new ones. If a place has a record of fitting you with Lenses than they'll usually be able to supply you with new ones if you need them at any location.

But I've gone scuba diving in contacts, and surfing with them in Austraila and that was with everyday lenses and it was fine.

[FFR]

Thanks for all the comments everyone. I was a little concerned that I'd have to be completely blind while surfing which could be dangerous! Haha.

I have one other question for all you contacts wearers. It's not really travel related but I figured I'd rather not start a new thread. Recently I've been having some issues with my contacts. Like, I can't see out of my right eye when I put them in. I have no problems with my glasses (which are the same prescription) but with my contacts, my vision is slightly blurred. It only starts to get blurry a few days after I start a new pair (as in they work fine the first few days). I have already booked an appointment with my eye doctor, I'm just wondering if anyone else had experienced the same thing or not. I'm just hoping to not have to buy new ones and new glasses as I have no money.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by FFR

Thanks for all the comments everyone. I was a little concerned that I'd have to be completely blind while surfing which could be dangerous! Haha.

I have one other question for all you contacts wearers. It's not really travel related but I figured I'd rather not start a new thread. Recently I've been having some issues with my contacts. Like, I can't see out of my right eye when I put them in. I have no problems with my glasses (which are the same prescription) but with my contacts, my vision is slightly blurred. It only starts to get blurry a few days after I start a new pair (as in they work fine the first few days). I have already booked an appointment with my eye doctor, I'm just wondering if anyone else had experienced the same thing or not. I'm just hoping to not have to buy new ones and new glasses as I have no money.

What Solution do you use ??? you could be getting a sensitivity to the solution, or the solution is not adequately cleaning the lens.

[Azure]

I use my contacts to swim all the time....or just generally around water.

Never had a problem.

Oh, I get them in a box of 6 sets, and I just take the WHOLE box along with me.

A couple of weird accidents(washing down the sink)...and you can lose 2 pairs pretty easily.

Always good to have backup for your backup.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Hesla

What Solution do you use ??? you could be getting a sensitivity to the solution, or the solution is not adequately cleaning the lens.

Or he isn't cleaning them properly when he takes them out.

FFR, after you take them out do you put them in the palm of your hand and gently rub them in solution? I used to NOT do that...and after 5 measly days of a 30 day contact they were already bothering me.

Ever since I started, I haven't had a problem at all.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Azure

I use my contacts to swim all the time....or just generally around water.

Never had a problem.

As an eye doctor, this statement really irks me. Just because you have never had a problem it doesnt mean that he will not have a problem. Everyone's eyes are different.

It is amazing how many people wear their one month lenses, two months because they have never had a problem. Well let me tell you, there are a lot of people that have had problems, i see them everyday.

And you are correct in your statement about rubbing the lenses... but he is having issues after only a few days with the contacts, so it is more likely an issue with the solution itself. Rubbing the lenses may only get him a couple more days on top of what he is allready getting.

[FFR]

Originally Posted by Hesla

What Solution do you use ??? you could be getting a sensitivity to the solution, or the solution is not adequately cleaning the lens.

I can't remember what it's called. It has a green label. Comes with a case that says Alcon I think.

Edit: Just checked. I have been using Optifree solution. I've had my contacts for about 6 months now so it's kind of weird that it's just starting now...

And yes, I am cleaning them in my palm before putting them in the solution, but maybe I'm not cleaning them enough?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Hesla

As an eye doctor, this statement really irks me. Just because you have never had a problem it doesnt mean that he will not have a problem. Everyone's eyes are different.

It is amazing how many people wear their one month lenses, two months because they have never had a problem. Well let me tell you, there are a lot of people that have had problems, i see them everyday.

And you are correct in your statement about rubbing the lenses... but he is having issues after only a few days with the contacts, so it is more likely an issue with the solution itself. Rubbing the lenses may only get him a couple more days on top of what he is allready getting.

Well....to be fair I also take mine out after I swim and clean them.

[Knut]

Solution companies have been known to change formulations midstream, and often they do not tell you.

Try.... ClearCare Solution It will clean the lenses better than any solution. Just DO NOT put it directly in the eyes, and use it with the case that comes with it. It has Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) that is converted into H2O and O over the course of 6hrs. After 6 hours the lenses are sitting in sterile saline and the lenses are about as clean as you can get them.

[Buff]

I've been using SoloCare almost exclusively since I got contact lenses about 14 years ago. There was a short time frame when I couldn't find it anywhere and I switched to a solution that got a bad rep for causing eye health problems (can't remember the name). Fortunately SoloCare was readily available at this point again.

I have a question for Hesla though.

I merely take my lenses out and put them in the solution. I don't put them in my palm and clean them. It think my original eye-doc told me not to worry about it. It hasn't caused me problems but is it something I should worry about?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Buff

I merely take my lenses out and put them in the solution. I don't put them in my palm and clean them. It think my original eye-doc told me not to worry about it. It hasn't caused me problems but is it something I should worry about?

Nah - Everyone's eyes are different. Some people need to rub the lenses to get the wear time out of them, while others do not. It comes down to tear chemistry. Some peoples tears have more Lipids and Proteins in them, and those tend to collect on certain types of contacts. If you are finding that you can get the 2wk or 1 month (whatever replacement schedule you have) of wear out of the lenses, rubbing is unnecessary. I do usually still recommend rubbing the lenses to everybody, because there are a lot of people out there that require the rubbing to be a comfortable contact lens wearer.

[BlackEleven]

Originally Posted by FFR

I can't remember what it's called. It has a green label. Comes with a case that says Alcon I think.

Edit: Just checked. I have been using Optifree solution. I've had my contacts for about 6 months now so it's kind of weird that it's just starting now...

And yes, I am cleaning them in my palm before putting them in the solution, but maybe I'm not cleaning them enough?

I had optifree as well and it annoyed the hell out my eyes. I switched to Bausch&Lomb Sensitive Eyes, which was night and day difference. YMMV.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Solution companies have been known to change formulations midstream, and often they do not tell you.

Try.... ClearCare Solution It will clean the lenses better than any solution. Just DO NOT put it directly in the eyes, and use it with the case that comes with it. It has Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) that is converted into H2O and O over the course of 6hrs. After 6 hours the lenses are sitting in sterile saline and the lenses are about as clean as you can get them.

Big plus to this. With traditional contacts and traditional solution I could wear my contacts for about a maximum of 4 hours. After switching to oxygen permeable lenses, and then later to a peroxide solution I can make it 14 hours no problem. I used to have a very bad blurring problem just like you, and it's gone now. Plus you never need to rub your lenses, and the way the case is designed you never end up with them inside out.