Wanderlust hits practically everyone at some point in life, and indulging in extensive travel is excellent for growth and self-development. These days, there are all sorts of experiences that are perfect for different kinds of travelers. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie seeking adventure or a tourer looking to join various activities across cultures, there’s so much to discover out there.
Of course, travel is a little bit different when you’re bespectacled. According to a survey of American travelers who wear glasses, they most often felt like they missed out on tons of activities because of a fear of breaking or losing their glasses. There’s no reason you should diminish your experience to keep your eyewear safe. Naturally, it would be best if you made some adjustments to ensure you care for yourself and your specs while having travel experiences that still feel fun and fulfilling.
Upgrade Your Eyewear with Sun Protection
When you travel, you’ll obviously encounter different weather conditions, but you will always need to protect your eyes wherever you go. Depending on your destination, you may be exposed to more sun glare and UV radiation than usual. It would be best to be careful of UVA and UVB rays everywhere but take note that UV levels are higher the closer you get to the equator, for instance, in places like Australia.
As such, you want to ensure enough shade for your eyes. While a hat can go a long way in protecting you, it may be best to nab a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. You don’t even have to give up your vision correction needs because prescription sunglasses are easy to get these days. If you’re itching for style and functionality for those vacation pics, you can get a pair from a reputable brand like Ray-Ban or Burberry. Adaptable styles like the Clubmaster Classic or Aviators can even come with polarized lenses to reduce glare while keeping your vision clear.
Pack An Extra Pair of Glasses
Even in daily life, losing or breaking a pair of glasses can happen. This risk becomes more of a hassle when you’re traveling as you may not be able to get a replacement easily. It’s generally recommended that you have your prescription handy anyway, but you can save yourself a big headache by carrying an extra pair.
If you want to go the extra mile and be ready to fix minor issues, you can also bring a basic eyeglass repair kit. This usually comes with replacement screws, nose pads, a small screwdriver, and temple tighteners. A repair kit is helpful if your main glasses aren’t completely broken and need some adjustments.
Bring Your Anti-Fog and Cleaning Essentials
Keeping your glasses clean is an obvious must, but the level of cleanliness and the number of times you need to spruce them up may jump significantly when traveling. Consider that you’re going out there to see the sights, so you and your eyewear will encounter different environments and activities that expose you to debris, fog, water, and more.
Even if it feels cumbersome at first, bring your clearing essentials. Materials for cleaning glasses shouldn’t have any acetone, and you do more harm than good if you try to use your shirt or saliva to clean your lenses. If you are traveling via plane, you can bring up to 100ml of glasses cleaner liquid in your carry-on, which is more than enough to tide you by with a few spritzes. It would be best to carry a small microfiber cloth for wiping. Should you need more in-depth cleaning from your daily travel activities, some soapy water will also work well.
Stick to a Hard Carrying Case
Packing a minimal soft case to carry your glasses or just packing them loose may seem easier. However, this puts you at the risk of breaking your glasses en route to your location. The last thing you want is to suddenly not be able to enjoy the sights because you’ve damaged your lenses or frame.
On top of that, a hard case is bulkier and less likely to be forgotten than a soft one. If you’re busy and tend to forget your stuff on vacation, it’s a simple precaution that makes things easier for you in the long run. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s easier to find a hard case in a big bag.
Being a glasses-wearer doesn’t have to limit you travels, even if it does add a little extra to your packing list. These tips will help you keep your eyes protected, your lenses clean and ready for getting out there and seeing the world!
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