Traveling’s stressful. If you wear contact lenses, you don’t want to add eyecare to the list of stuff to stress about.

No matter the type of trip you’re taking—business or pleasure, a weekend getaway or a month-long relocation—you want to make sure you’re prepared with adequate contact lenses and contact lens solution, so you won’t run out during your trip or be tempted to scrimp on your normal cleaning routine.

Here are eight tips to help you travel safely and effectively with your contact lenses:

Half of all contact lens wearers in the U.S. have reported sleeping with their contacts in. (Source)

That’s a bad idea, in most cases.  

New innovations in contact lens materials and the growing popularity of daily and two week disposable lenses have reduced the amount of lens-related infections. However, unlike prescription glasses, contact lenses require you to adhere to specific care instructions to avoid harming your eyes.

There are many contact lenses designed for extended wear (continual wear for up to 7 days) but considering only 5% of all contact lens wearers in the U.S. are prescribed extended wear lenses, it can be assumed that most people are risking their eye health by sleeping with their contacts.

The reason few people are prescribed extended wear lenses is because eye doctors are aware of the higher risk of infections and corneal injury. Wearing daily disposable soft contacts, where a fresh lens is used each day, virtually eliminates the chances of protein build-up and the reuse of non-sterile saline solution.

The vast majority of contact lens related complications are self-inflicted, brought on by overwearing. If you consistently sleep in your contacts, and they aren’t intended for that use, consider the following:

Contact lenses are an amazing product of innovation. It still amazes me that something so small and delicate can bring a person’s world into focus. Contacts may seem like an obvious choice for anyone that wears glasses, but there are a few things everyone should consider first.

Are you a fit for contact lenses?

Wearing contact lenses

Can I wear contact lenses?

Most likely, yes. Contact lenses are available to correct most eye conditions, including myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia. 

Learn more about the vision correction capabilities of contact lenses.

How many people wear contact lenses in the United States?

An estimated 45 million Americans wear contact lenses, according to data published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This include 3.6 million adolescents, 7.5 million young adults, and 33.9 million adults. In fact, one in six adults in the U.S. wear contact lenses.

Should children wear contact lenses?

Studies have found children as young as eight can adapt to and care for contacts. The best way to determine if contact lenses are safe for your child is to evaluate how willing he or she is to wearing and taking care of them.

Should I wear contacts when playing sports?

Contact lenses are the best vision correction option for athletes. Unlike glasses, contacts stay in place, provide a wider field of vision, and eliminate the risk of glasses-related injuries.