At Bethesda Vision Care, your vision is our priority! March is Save Your Vision Month, a time to remember the importance of eye health and the need for preventive measures to protect our vision. For those with eye allergies, traveling can pose unique challenges. Whether it's the dry air in airplanes or unfamiliar allergens in hotel rooms, maintaining eye comfort while on the go requires some preparation and knowledge.
Below, our Bethesda eye care team discusses the connection between eye allergies and dry eyes, eye health and comfort challenges you may face while traveling, and tips on overcoming these challenges.
Understanding Eye Allergies and Dry Eyes
Eye allergies and dry eyes are common conditions that can significantly affect your comfort and vision quality, especially while traveling. Eye allergies, also known as allergic conjunctivitis, occur when the eyes react to allergens like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, leading to itching, redness, and watering. On the other hand, dry eyes happen when your eyes do not produce enough tears or the quality of tears is poor, resulting in irritation, a gritty feeling, or even blurred vision. While each is a distinct and separate condition, they often occur together, with one increasing the risk of or leading directly to the other.
Symptoms of both include inflamed, itchy, red, or gritty-feeling eyes and blurry vision. In extreme cases, they can also result in long-term scarring on the eye.
Tips for Managing Eye Allergies While Traveling
Stay Hydrated: Keeping your body well-hydrated helps maintain tear production, which is crucial for eye comfort. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight.
Use Daily Contact Lenses: For those who wear contact lenses, switching to daily disposables can significantly reduce the risk of eye irritation related to allergens and lens wear. Daily lenses minimize the buildup of allergens and other irritants on the lens surface, offering a fresh pair each day.
Carry Allergy Eye Drops: Eye drops for allergies and dry eyes can be a traveler's best friend. Speak to our eye care team to determine which eye drops are best for you to alleviate symptoms of itchiness and redness in dry environments like airplane cabins.
Avoid Touching or Rubbing Your Eyes: This can transfer allergens from your hands to your eyes and worsen symptoms. Always keep a hand sanitizer and hypoallergenic wipes handy for cleaning your hands regularly.
Consult Your Eye Doctor Before Traveling
Before embarking on your journey, you should visit our local eye clinic for a comprehensive eye exam. This is particularly important for individuals who experience significant discomfort due to eye allergies or dry eyes. Your eye doctor can provide personalized advice and may recommend other measures to prevent discomfort and preserve your eye health while traveling. They can also determine if daily contact lenses are suitable for your situation and guide you on the best practices for wearing contacts during your travels.
Traveling with eye allergies requires extra care, but it shouldn't keep you from enjoying your adventures. By taking proactive steps such as staying hydrated, utilizing daily contact lenses, and consulting with your eye doctor, you can significantly improve your comfort and protect your vision, no matter where your travels take you.
Want to learn more about how we can help keep your eyes comfortable and healthy? Take the short walk from the Bethesda Metro to visit our Bethesda eye care team at Bethesda Vision Care!