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Eye care tips for the outdoor enthusiast

Warmer days have finally been sprung upon us, and there are plenty of reasons to get outside in the weeks ahead for some healthy outdoor activities. And when you do, you’ll want to enjoy your favourite sunny pursuits with the best possible vision.

Outdoor aficionados can behold spring’s blossoms and a little summer fun in complete clarity with the help of our simple eye care tips.

4 Reasons to consider contact lenses for outdoor activities

When it comes to outdoor pursuits, soft contact lenses are considered the most comfortable and convenient option for correcting your vision. Here’s why...

  • Better peripheral vision: Contact lenses sit directly on your eye, so vision, particularly peripheral vision, is unobstructed. 

  • Stable vision: Lenses won’t jostle around, slip down your face or fall off at inopportune moments. Halfway up a cliff face is no place to be fiddling with your glasses. 

  • Weather-friendly: Unlike glasses, contact lenses won’t be affected by adverse weather conditions such as rain and fog, nor will they steam up in sunnier climes. 

  • Compatible with headgear: Less cumbersome than glasses, contact lenses won’t interfere with headphones, helmets or sunglasses.

Outdoor eye care tips

Contact lenses provide many advantages for outdoor enthusiasts, but in order to enjoy these freedoms, you'll need to practice proper lens care. Follow these simple strategies to keep your eye care in check this season. 

  • Carry back up supplies: Contact lens wearers need to carry some additional “comfort items” when hiking, biking, camping, or partaking in other outdoor activities. At a minimum, you'll need to pack a contact lens case, saline solution, an extra set of lenses (just in case), and a pair of glasses. 

  • Keep it clean: It’s important to be diligent about contact lens hygiene, especially after coming into contact with dirt and sweat. Always wash your hands before touching your lenses to minimise the risk of nasty bacteria entering your eye and causing infection. If clean water and soap are not readily available, carry hand sanitiser or wet wipes, but be sure to choose natural-based products without harsh chemicals such as Triclosan. 

  • Dealing with dry eye: Spring's warmer weather can leave your eyes feeling dried out and irritated. The most effective way to relieve dry eye is to increase the volume of water in the eyes using artificial tear drops. Eye drops are also conveniently available in travel-size containers for on-the-go use. 

  • Shield your eyes from allergens: Seasonal allergies tend to swell up in spring due to an influx of airborne allergens, such as mould spores or tree pollens. However, that doesn’t have to put a stop to your outdoor adventures. Pop on a pair of sunglasses and head outside in the afternoon when the pollen counts are lowest. 

  • Switch to daily disposables: Consider wearing daily disposable lenses to avoid the build-up of debris and allergens on the lens surface. You can simply remove and discard the lens at the end of a full day’s wear, without the fuss of cleaning or carrying solution – a smart alternative for camping trips.