Travel Tips for People Who Wear Contact Lenses
If you travel, don’t let an eye infection get in the way. Take care of your contact lenses so you can enjoy the sights of your destination.
As you prepare for your trip, follow these tips to help prevent contact lens-related eye infections.
Before You Go
- Make sure your contact lens prescription is up-to-date. Visit your eye care provider yearly or as often as they recommend.
- Replace your contact lens case every three months.
- Pack backup supplies, including a contact lens case, contacts, glasses, and contact lens solution—just in case you lose anything.
During Your Trip
- Your eyes need a break too. Take out your contact lenses before you sleep, shower, or swim. Wearing contact lenses to bed or exposing them to water increases the risk of painful eye infections.
- Don’t swim or shower while wearing contact lenses because germs can be carried from the water into your eye.
- Replace your contact lenses as often as recommended by your eye care provider.
- Use only fresh contact lens solution—never water—to store your lenses after each use.
- Never mix fresh solution with old or used solution.
- Don’t buy contact lenses unless they have been prescribed for you. Wearing contacts without a prescription can pose serious risks to your sight and eye health.
Find more wear and care tips for healthy and safe eyes all year long.
Get Involved
CDC has developed information and materials for teen and young adult contact lens wearers on the importance of properly wearing and caring for contact lenses while traveling. Partners can promote healthy contact lens wear and care by:
- Using CDC’s sample social media posts to spread the word about healthy contact lens wear and care.
- Sharing CDC’s contact lens digital buttons and badges on your websites, blogs, and social media channels.
- Ordering or downloading posters to promote healthy contact lens wear and care habits and free tear-off pads that have valuable contact lens tips.