Contact Lenses on the Road

Dragonslayer · #1 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 11:41 AM

What if you're traveling with friends and you're going to be camping or spending nights in youth hostels and won't be able to wash your hands very much? Would daily disposable contacts be a good thing to have with you?
What about those alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are so popular nowadays? Can you clean your hands with that before putting in your contacts without burning your eyes out?

skatss · #2 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 05:28 PM

First of all if I were going on a great trip like that I doubt if I would wear my contacts all that much. I'd most likely stick with my eyeglasses. But if I did put them in I would make sure I would find a place to wash my hands.

I don't think I would us those hand sanitizers and then put in my lens without washing my hands first. I would think the alcohol base would burn.

Daily disposable would be good but then you would have to carry them around with you.

Maybe you can alternate and use your glasses and the daily's so you won't have to be careful about all the contacts that you would be carrying.

Dragonslayer · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skatss

First of all if I were going on a great trip like that I doubt if I would wear my contacts all that much. I'd most likely stick with my eyeglasses. But if I did put them in I would make sure I would find a place to wash my hands.

I don't think I would us those hand sanitizers and then put in my lens without washing my hands first. I would think the alcohol base would burn.

Daily disposable would be good but then you would have to carry them around with you.

Maybe you can alternate and use your glasses and the daily's so you won't have to be careful about all the contacts that you would be carrying.

Some very good ideas, skatss, thanks for your time.

Angela 123 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-12-2009, 12:32 AM

Yeah, it's not easy to get lenses like this in Thailand, I have +8.5 by myself so I know what you are talking about. About 6 month ago I went to Eyelab at the Avenue Shopping Center on 2nd road Pattaya and got 2 pair of glasses within 3 days and with thin lenses, not ones that look like bulllet proofed glass wink.gif

gamblinglord · #5 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 08:54 PM

Our hands should be clean whenever we put the contact lenses. Eyes are very sensitive and it could get irritated easily. In my opinion, I would use the glasses instead of the contact lens in camping. It would be a lot easier to wear. I just want to know, how many times can we wear the daily disposable?

Vita_man · #6 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamblinglord

In my opinion, I would use the glasses instead of the contact lens in camping. It would be a lot easier to wear. I just want to know, how many times can we wear the daily disposable?

You're probably right about the camping, gamblinglord.

Do answer your question, daily disposable contact lenses can only be worn once. That's the "daily" part. There are also weekly, monthly and annual contacts as well.

Dragonslayer · #7 (**permalink**) 09-17-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angela 123

Yeah, it's not easy to get lenses like this in Thailand

Lenses like what? Daily disposable contacts?

Vita_man · #8 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skatss

First of all if I were going on a great trip like that I doubt if I would wear my contacts all that much. I'd most likely stick with my eyeglasses. But if I did put them in I would make sure I would find a place to wash my hands.

I don't think I would us those hand sanitizers and then put in my lens without washing my hands first. I would think the alcohol base would burn.

Daily disposable would be good but then you would have to carry them around with you.

Maybe you can alternate and use your glasses and the daily's so you won't have to be careful about all the contacts that you would be carrying.

I like your idea about a combination of glasses and dailies. That sounds like a good compromise.

However, I can't help but notice that you said you'd wash your hands before using hand sanitizer . . . to wash your hands. I think one of those steps can be eliminated, and hand sanitizer would probably be good to have if you don't have any soap and/or water available, or if the water supply is questionable. It's alcohol so it will evaporate very quickly, leaving behind clean skin.

Dragonslayer · #9 (**permalink**) 11-18-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vita_man

I like your idea about a combination of glasses and dailies. That sounds like a good compromise.

However, I can't help but notice that you said you'd wash your hands before using hand sanitizer . . . to wash your hands. I think one of those steps can be eliminated, and hand sanitizer would probably be good to have if you don't have any soap and/or water available, or if the water supply is questionable. It's alcohol so it will evaporate very quickly, leaving behind clean skin.

Yeah, I thought it was a bit odd for skatts to say that he/she wouldn't use hand sanitizer without washing his/her hands first. That just seems a little redundant to me.

I like the glasses idea too.

Vita_man · #10 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angela 123

Yeah, it's not easy to get lenses like this in Thailand, I have +8.5 by myself so I know what you are talking about. About 6 month ago I went to Eyelab at the Avenue Shopping Center on 2nd road Pattaya and got 2 pair of glasses within 3 days and with thin lenses, not ones that look like bulllet proofed glass wink.gif

Hi Angela 123.

So I take you you wear glasses sometimes and contact lens at other times?

lolasharee · #11 (**permalink**) 02-10-2011, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonslayer

What if you're traveling with friends and you're going to be camping or spending nights in youth hostels and won't be able to wash your hands very much? Would daily disposable contacts be a good thing to have with you?
What about those alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are so popular nowadays? Can you clean your hands with that before putting in your contacts without burning your eyes out?

That sounds like a reasonable solution, especially if they are prescriped to help you see everyday. Don't want to mistake a Bear for a Tree out there in the woods.

Vita_man · #12 (**permalink**) 03-03-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolasharee

That sounds like a reasonable solution, especially if they are prescriped to help you see everyday. Don't want to mistake a Bear for a Tree out there in the woods.

What sounds like a reasonable solution, the hand sanitizer? Have you tried it?

Dragonslayer · #13 (**permalink**) 03-18-2011, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolasharee

That sounds like a reasonable solution, especially if they are prescriped to help you see everyday. Don't want to mistake a Bear for a Tree out there in the woods.

No, you don't want to try and find shade under a grizzly bear. Keep those lenses clean.

lolasharee · #14 (**permalink**) 03-24-2011, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vita_man

What sounds like a reasonable solution, the hand sanitizer? Have you tried it?

No....disposable contacts while traveling seems like a reasonable solution.

lolasharee · #15 (**permalink**) 03-24-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonslayer

No, you don't want to try and find shade under a grizzly bear. Keep those lenses clean.

AHahahah. Good one. You'd have to be blind to miss that Bear. He's huge!

Teddikitty · #16 (**permalink**) 03-25-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolasharee

No....disposable contacts while traveling seems like a reasonable solution.

Do you like to travel, lolasharee? Maybe you can try using disposables while you're gallivanting about and tell us how well it works.

RayBan · #17 (**permalink**) 03-29-2011, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonslayer

Lenses like what? Daily disposable contacts?

ooo

joemy · #18 (**permalink**) 05-02-2011, 10:56 PM

Lenses like what?<a href="http://coopervision.com.sg/contact-lens/daily-biomedics-1-day.php
" title="Daily Disposable Contact Lenses "><b>daily disposable lens</b></a>

Tiger · #19 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angela 123

Yeah, it's not easy to get lenses like this in Thailand, I have +8.5 by myself so I know what you are talking about. About 6 month ago I went to Eyelab at the Avenue Shopping Center on 2nd road Pattaya and got 2 pair of glasses within 3 days and with thin lenses, not ones that look like bulllet proofed glass wink.gif

The question was about keeping lenses clean when there's no sink available.

Bootz · #20 (**permalink**) 11-23-2011, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger

The question was about keeping lenses clean when there's no sink available.

Thanks for getting us back on topic, Tiger.

luvbostonxo2's · #21 (**permalink**) 11-23-2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skatss

First of all if I were going on a great trip like that I doubt if I would wear my contacts all that much. I'd most likely stick with my eyeglasses. But if I did put them in I would make sure I would find a place to wash my hands.

I don't think I would us those hand sanitizers and then put in my lens without washing my hands first. I would think the alcohol base would burn.

Daily disposable would be good but then you would have to carry them around with you.

Maybe you can alternate and use your glasses and the daily's so you won't have to be careful about all the contacts that you would be carrying.

if your a candidate for extended wear....ciba vision night and day aqua's can be worn continously for up to 30 days!

HelpMeRhonda · #22 (**permalink**) 11-23-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvbostonxo2's

if your a candidate for extended wear....ciba vision night and day aqua's can be worn continously for up to 30 days!

Do you mean these? Air Optix Night & Day Aquas?

Amanda · #23 (**permalink**) 11-24-2011, 05:25 AM

I have no experience with bears, but I do travel, using tents and hostels for accommodation, so I feel able to comment on that.

I use daily disposable lenses. Carrying a couple of weeks' supply of them, plus spares, is no problem - 10 pairs of lenses fit in about the space that a pair of glasses takes up, and I don't need to carry any solutions or lens cases. If I'm handling the lenses in poor light or cramped conditions (like inside a pup tent), it doesn't matter much if I drop a lens - I can just abandon it and break out a fresh one.

Cleaning your hands is another issue altogether. Hand sanitizing wipes or gel are great for making your hands germ-free, but they won't help much if your hands are greasy, from fixing your bike, say, or muddy from handling your tent pegs. In any case, camping or not, you'll want to wash your hands pretty thoroughly before eating - not doing so is a great way to spoil your trip and get sick.

A thorough wash in clean water, with a little soap, should get your hands clean enough to handle lenses. If you want to use an alcohol-based sanitizer too, that shouldn't actually be a problem. The reason for alcohol is that it all evapourates, so it shouldn't make your eyes sting if you let it all dry off and wait a moment before handling lenses.

So my routine might go something like this: wake up, go to the toilet and wash my hands. Put lenses in, have breakfast. My hands can then stay grubby for the rest of the day. In the evening, when camp is set up, go to the loo again, wash my hands, take my lenses out, then cook and eat in glasses.

Campsites generally have a source of clean water. Even if you're camping in the wilds, you'd be carrying clean water to drink, so you can generally spare a couple of cupfuls for washing.

Campsites also often have mirrors in the bathrooms, so that's another good reason for doing lens things while you're there anyway. Don't count on it, though - carry your own little mirror. (And in many places, you'll need your own toilet paper too).

You'd be crazy not to be carrying a pair of specs too, so if there comes a time when you simply can't get clean (say, you need all your water so as not to die of thirst), simply wear glassses until you reach civilisation and you can wash.

HelpMeRhonda · #24 (**permalink**) 01-05-2012, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amanda

I have no experience with bears, but I do travel, using tents and hostels for accommodation, so I feel able to comment on that.

I use daily disposable lenses. Carrying a couple of weeks' supply of them, plus spares, is no problem - 10 pairs of lenses fit in about the space that a pair of glasses takes up, and I don't need to carry any solutions or lens cases. If I'm handling the lenses in poor light or cramped conditions (like inside a pup tent), it doesn't matter much if I drop a lens - I can just abandon it and break out a fresh one.

Cleaning your hands is another issue altogether. Hand sanitizing wipes or gel are great for making your hands germ-free, but they won't help much if your hands are greasy, from fixing your bike, say, or muddy from handling your tent pegs. In any case, camping or not, you'll want to wash your hands pretty thoroughly before eating - not doing so is a great way to spoil your trip and get sick.

A thorough wash in clean water, with a little soap, should get your hands clean enough to handle lenses. If you want to use an alcohol-based sanitizer too, that shouldn't actually be a problem. The reason for alcohol is that it all evapourates, so it shouldn't make your eyes sting if you let it all dry off and wait a moment before handling lenses.

So my routine might go something like this: wake up, go to the toilet and wash my hands. Put lenses in, have breakfast. My hands can then stay grubby for the rest of the day. In the evening, when camp is set up, go to the loo again, wash my hands, take my lenses out, then cook and eat in glasses.

Campsites generally have a source of clean water. Even if you're camping in the wilds, you'd be carrying clean water to drink, so you can generally spare a couple of cupfuls for washing.

Campsites also often have mirrors in the bathrooms, so that's another good reason for doing lens things while you're there anyway. Don't count on it, though - carry your own little mirror. (And in many places, you'll need your own toilet paper too).

You'd be crazy not to be carrying a pair of specs too, so if there comes a time when you simply can't get clean (say, you need all your water so as not to die of thirst), simply wear glasses until you reach civilisation and you can wash.

Wow, Amanda. You should right a book. "Contact Lenses in the Wild" by Amanda.

You may have to translate for those of us who don't say things like "go to the loo" or spell "evapourates" with a "u." Other than that, though, it's good stuff.

Amanda · #25 (**permalink**) 01-15-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelpMeRhonda

Wow, Amanda. You should right a book. "Contact Lenses in the Wild" by Amanda.

You may have to translate for those of us who don't say things like "go to the loo" or spell "evapourates" with a "u." Other than that, though, it's good stuff.

I'm happy to clarify if necessary! But it seems you followed my meaning, even if we disagree about spelling. (I think I'd write the book...)

luvbostonxo2's · #26 (**permalink**) 01-15-2012, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelpMeRhonda

Do you mean these? Air Optix Night & Day Aquas?

yes but def check in with your ecp...not all eyes can tolerate wearing lenses night and day.

Amanda · #27 (**permalink**) 01-16-2012, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelpMeRhonda

Wow, Amanda. You should right a book. "Contact Lenses in the Wild" by Amanda.

You may have to translate for those of us who don't say things like "go to the loo" or spell "evapourates" with a "u." Other than that, though, it's good stuff.

For much, much more information on matters of sanitation when beyond the reach of civilisation, check out this book:http://tinyurl.com/3ymoe3y