Traveling during December holidays is one of the most important times to protect your eyes. After spending so long in cold winter temperatures, exposure to all the good things that come with a warm vacation away — the sun, the ocean, swimming pools, and cool air-conditioned hotels — can irritate eyes even more than normal.
Follow this advice for holiday travel and eye protection from All About Dry Eye and you and your family will be free from the discomfort of dry eyes.
- Eat and drink to promote eye health. Before you set out on your trip, adapt your diet to include more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids; for instance, drink smoothies with flaxseed. During your travels, make sure you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
- Use artificial tears. If you are prone to dry eyes, use artificial tears before you board the plane. Even if you never usually suffer from the symptoms, it is best to keep a bottle at hand for the flight and during your stay, especially if you will be staying in a hotel.
- Wear goggles. Whether you will be swimming in a pool or practicing water sports in the ocean, you need goggles to avoid swimmer’s dry eye. Avoid touching your face after coming out of the pool until you have washed your hands of the chlorine.
- Turn off the cooling system. If temperatures allow, turn off air conditioning completely. Otherwise, try to use the cooling system as little as possible, especially when you are sleeping. You can also avoid air becoming too dry with a humidifier.
- Don a pair of sunglasses. Whatever the weather, make sure your family wear sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection whenever they head outdoors. Wraparound styles are the best for blocking the most sun, but you can create a similar effect by combining shades with a wide-brimmed hat.
Make sure all the family has a pair of quality shades before you leave and save yourself time trying to buy sunglasses during your trip. Check out Real Kids’ collection to find stylish shades for kids of all ages.