As you make plans to travel, don't forget to plan for your specialty contact lens care, as well. Here are a few tips for taking care of your lenses while you are away:
TAKE THEM OUT: Be sure to remove your lenses when you swim, shower, or go in hot tubs or steam rooms. Wearing lenses during these activities increases your risk for water-borne infections, which can be severe and can cut your trip short.
SAY NO TO TAP: Never use tap water to store or clean your lenses. This destroys the lens coating and also carries a risk for water-borne infections.
SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS: We recommend taking your lenses out if you are going to take a nap for more than an hour (which we hope you're able to do while on vacation). Use Tangible Clean, Boston Simplus or Unique Ph to store your lenses for a few hours or less. If you forgot your lens filling solution at home, remember you can use any preservative-free artificial tear option available at your nearest pharmacy though they might be a little more expensive.
TRAVEL LIGHT: Stock up on travel-sized solutions (3.4 oz or less) to avoid lugging around larger bottles from destination to destination. They can be found online here, and can sometimes be found at Target, Walmart, or your local pharmacy - call ahead to be sure!
DOUBLE UP: If you rely on plungers to insert and remove your lenses, we recommend having a few sets on hand in case they get lost in the adventure. Purchase extras here. We recommend making yourself an insertion/removal kit, complete with plungers, a small mirror, saline and a lens case for emergencies.
BACK THEM UP: Having a pair of back-up lenses* is the ultimate way to make sure you always have what you need to see. These can travel with you or can be left at home with someone who can mail them to you in an emergency. If you are interested in ordering a pair of back-up lenses, contact us and we can order lenses to be shipped directly to you within 7-10 business days.
Wishing everyone safe travels wherever they may roam!
*Note that back-up lenses are replicas of lenses that have already been fit to order, so they will not come with fit or prescription changes and are ineligible for exchange or return.
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