While on vacation or a work trip, it is crucial to take extra care of your eyes
Travelling involves long days and could include flights or road trips, which could strain your eyes. Therefore, taking extra care of your eye health while travelling is imperative. For this reason, we contacted leading health experts to learn about easy ways to care for your eyes while travelling. Please note that these are general recommendations. If you have any pre-existing eye conditions, speak to a healthcare professional before your trip; if you experience persistent eye discomfort while on your trip, it is best to seek medical attention. Here are 7 simple ways to protect your eyes while travelling.
Eye health: 7 expert tips to protect your eyes while travelling
Take Breaks from Gadgets
While on your trip, be mindful of the time you spend in front of a screen. “Prioritise your eye health while travelling by observing the 20-20-20 rule and taking regular breaks from digital gadgets. Look away from the screen every 20 minutes and concentrate for 20 seconds on anything 20 feet away. This keeps your eyes rejuvenated and lessens eye strain,” says Prateek Kumar, fitness expert, nutritionist, and founder of FitCru.
Also, be aware of where you are using your gadgets. “A big no to watching gadgets in a moving vehicle, especially on a road trip or a train. Focusing the eyes on the constantly moving gadgets due to the jerks puts extreme stress on the eyes. Additionally, on long-distance road trips, drivers can suffer from ‘highway hypnosis,’ which can prove fatal. Taking breaks every two hours, washing your eyes with plain cold water, and keeping yourself hydrated with plenty of fluids are the proven ways to care for the eyes,” adds Dr. Pramod Mane, wellbeing director – of SOM wellbeing at Woods At Sasan.
Hydrate
While on the move, drink plenty of water for the eye and overall health. “Often during travel, our water intake goes drastically down as we are out and about. This can often lead to dehydration, affecting your eyes’ moisture levels. Drinking enough water helps support the production of tears, ensuring that your eyes stay properly lubricated and protected. So consciously drink plenty of water throughout your journey to reduce the risk of dryness, discomfort, and irritation,” states Nyela Kapadia, fitness expert, founder of WWN, and co-founder of Intermittent Fasting Mindful Living.
Wear Sunglasses
While outdoors during the day, make it a point to wear sunglasses. “Wear broad and large sunglasses that completely filter UVA and UVB radiation to save your eyes from damaging UV rays,” remarks Dr. Manoj Kutteri, medical director of Atmantan Wellness Centre.
Furthermore, when swimming, wear goggles to protect your eyes. “Sunglasses help minimise glare from bright sunlight, making it easier to see and reducing eye strain. When travelling, it is also an excellent idea to bring a pair of swimming goggles to engage in water activities, protecting your eyes from potential irritants, chemicals, or microorganisms present in the water,” adds Dr. Arun Suraj, Ayurveda doctor and wellness head at Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra.
Manage Contact Lenses Usage
Before embarking on a long flight, wear your glasses instead of your contact lenses. “To safeguard the well-being of your eyes and maintain optimal vision, it is crucial to prioritise eye care while travelling. Whether embarking on a thrilling adventure or relaxing on a beach getaway, taking special care of your eyes should be your top priority. Extended travel, especially in dry environments like aeroplanes, can lead to dry and uncomfortable eyes. Contact lenses can exacerbate this dryness and cause discomfort or irritation. It is a good idea to use moisturising eye drops made especially for those who wear contact lenses or to switch to eyeglasses for flights,” states Dr. Arun Suraj.
Be Hygienic
Not touching your eyes with dirty hands is good advice, even when you’re not travelling. “Clean your hands before handling contact lenses or your eyes. Make sure your hands are clean and dry. This will lessen the chance of eye infections and help stop the transmission of germs,” adds Dr. Manoj Kutteri.
Wash Your Eyes Frequently
If you are driving on your trip, remember to take breaks often to rest your eyes. “Remember to rinse your eyes often with cold water while driving. Take breaks to rest your eyes and wash your eyes with cold water to keep them cool and revitalised while driving,” concludes Dr Arun Suraj.
Get Adequate Rest
Travelling could include tiring days that can strain your eyes. Ensure you are getting adequate sleep at night, and if you have a long flight or road journey, try to take a nap to rest your eyes.
