How To Pack Your Contacts While Travelling

Packing for a trip is stressful enough without worrying whether your eyes will cooperate once you land. If you wear contacts, a bit of planning before you leave can save you from dry, irritated eyes halfway through your holiday, or worse, a mad dash to find a pharmacy in a country where you don't speak the language.

Here's how to pack smart and keep your eyes comfortable, wherever you're headed.

Pack more than you think you need

It's tempting to count out exactly the right number of lenses for your trip length. Don't. Flights get delayed, plans change, and lenses occasionally tear on the way out of the packet. Bring at least two or three extra days' worth, just in case.

If you wear dailies, this is easy: just grab a few extra blister packs. If you're on monthlies or fortnightlies, pack a spare pair in a separate case in case one gets damaged or lost.

Split your supply across bags

Never put all your lenses in one piece of luggage. If your checked bag goes missing, you don't want your entire supply to disappear with it. Keep a few days' worth in your hand luggage and the rest in your suitcase, so you're not stuck if one bag is delayed.

Check the liquid rules before you fly

Solution bottles count towards your liquid allowance in hand luggage, so check the limits for your airline before you pack. Most airports allow containers up to 100ml in a clear resealable bag, but it's worth double checking if you're flying with a budget carrier, as rules can vary slightly.

If you're worried about running low, pick up single-use vials of solution. They take up less space and mean you don't need to carry a full bottle at all.

Order your supply with plenty of time to spare

It's easy to leave this until the last minute, but a busy pharmacy or a delayed delivery right before you fly can leave you short. Order contact lenses from Vision Direct at least a week or two before departure, so everything arrives with time to spare and you're not scrambling the night before your flight.

Think about the climate you're heading into

Hot, dry destinations and long-haul flights with recycled cabin air can both leave your eyes feeling parched. Pack rewetting drops designed for lens wearers, and consider switching to dailies for the trip if you normally wear reusables, since fresh lenses each day can feel more comfortable in tricky conditions.

Don't forget a backup pair of glasses

Even the most careful packer can lose a lens or run into eye irritation on the road. Bringing your glasses as a backup means you're not stuck if your contacts aren't an option for a day. Keep them somewhere easy to reach, like a jacket pocket or the front pocket of your carry-on, rather than buried at the bottom of your suitcase.

Wash your hands more than usual

Travelling means touching a lot of surfaces you wouldn't normally: airport trays, train handrails, hotel door handles. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser and get into the habit of cleaning your hands properly before you put your lenses in or take them out, especially in the first day or two of a trip when you're out and about more than usual.

The takeaway

A little preparation goes a long way. Pack extra lenses, split your supply across bags, check your liquid allowance, and bring a backup pair of glasses just in case. Do that, and the only thing left to think about on your trip is where to explore next.