4 Things You Should Know When Traveling with Glasses

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For many individuals, eyeglasses are essential tools that enhance their everyday quality of life.

Yet, for avid travelers, eyeglasses can be an inconvenience.

According to OnePoll’s 2023 survey, one-third of travelers relying on vision correction choose to forgo their glasses and contacts while traveling due to concerns about compromising their experience.

Additionally, 32% admit they would enjoy traveling more if they didn’t need eyewear.

That’s because many travelers with glasses feel like eyewear can be cumbersome and limit what popular travel activities they can partake in, such as surfing or skiing.

However, safe and enjoyable travel with glasses is entirely possible with special considerations.

Here, we present four tips for eyeglass wearers who love to explore the world.

Prepare for Climate Changes

Embarking on travel adventures often entails navigating various climates and weather conditions.

Particularly in humid destinations, your glasses may be prone to fogging, impeding your ability to see clearly.

To combat this, consider buying an anti-fog spray ahead of time.

These work by coating surfaces with water-attracting molecules, creating a clear and see-through surface.

Alternatively, proactive travelers can visit their ophthalmologist before their journey to invest in anti-fog lenses, which prevent condensation by warming the glass surface by up to 8 degrees Celsius.

Regardless, it’s wise to keep a clean microfiber cloth handy for times when fogging becomes unavoidable.

Invest in UV Protection

Whether or not you’re considering an anti-fog coating from an ophthalmologist, it’s imperative to prioritize upgrading your lenses with UV protection.

Prescription glasses don’t naturally come with UV coating, yet this enhancement becomes particularly crucial during travel, where you’re more exposed to outdoor environments and varying UV radiation.

The threat of snow blindness, or photokeratitis, looms, especially during activities like hiking, skiing, or surfing.

Even a mild case can cast a shadow on your travel experience by causing fatigue and discomfort in your eyes.

Otherwise, travelers can explore the option of acquiring a separate pair of prescription sunglasses designed specifically for UV defense for a more enjoyable experience in diverse outdoor settings.

Learn to Make Your Own Minor Repairs

The hustle and bustle of travel can result in glasses getting damaged in the lenses or frames.

Now, while these aren’t major issues, they can disrupt your experience.

Recognizing that access to an eye doctor or repair person may not always be readily available while on the move, it pays to know how to address these more minor issues yourself.

For starters, learn how to adjust your glasses with minimal equipment.

Case in point, you can use a hotel hair dryer or a mug of hot water to adjust glasses’ arms that have bent out of shape.

This way, you can change the angle of your nose pads or tighten the arms of plastic or metal frames to ensure your glasses stay securely in place.

Next, in terms of the lenses, so long as the scratches are small, you can lightly buff them away with toothpaste or baking soda.

Just make sure to watch demonstrations by qualified opticians and make small adjustments at a time, and you can optimize the comfort of your eyewear on your own.

Pack a spare pair

In the event that your glasses do get more seriously damaged, you may need a new pair of eyewear.

However, procuring a new pair of glasses in a foreign country means having to deal with different protocols and the potential challenge of a language barrier.

To mitigate this entirely and ensure the safest travels, consider the inclusion of a spare pair of eyeglasses as an indispensable travel essential.

The 2023 OnePoll survey reveals that the average glasses wearer possesses two pairs of glasses and chooses to bring both along while embarking on travel adventures.

This precautionary approach offers a safety net, providing you with a reliable backup in case of unexpected mishaps.

By following these simple but effective tips, eyeglass wearers can ensure their vision remains clear and their travel experiences unforgettable.

So, pack your bags, put on your glasses, and embark on your next adventure with confidence.