I have a confession I’m not proud of, but I know I can’t be the only one who does this. Most of the time, I sleep with my contact lenses in and wake up in the morning with blurry vision and dried, sticky lenses that won’t budge. If my eye doctor knew this, he wouldn’t be happy because I wasn’t told about the type of lenses to wear to sleep with. In fact, sleeping with contact lenses in puts me at a higher risk for eye infections. Ouch!
This can be a big problem when traveling by plane or car and trying to remove your contacts. Thankfully, after talking to my coworker, he gave me important time-saving tips for removing your contacts safely and effortlessly. The trick is to do the work before you get sleepy or busy. These tips are too good to pass up, but you should know that they are for reusable contacts, not everyday disposable lenses.
Contact lens case
This is a must-have whenever you are traveling. The last thing you want to risk when you are out and about is your contact lenses drying out or staying in your eyes for too long.
Contact lens solution
Packing your solution is just as important. Contacts aren’t cheap, and ruining them can be a huge hassle. Not to mention that you will end up wasting money replacing things.
Hand sanitizer
If you are in a pinch and can’t wash your hands before removing your contacts, you can bring a bottle of hand sanitizer to clean your hands before removing them from your eyes. Especially if you’ll be touching surfaces on the plane or while stopping for a snack or gas on the road. However, even after the sanitizer dries, some alcohol may remain on your fingers, so if you have the option to wash your hands with soap and water, I recommend doing so.
An extra pair of prescription glasses
“The air on airplanes is quite dry and even the most comfortable contact lenses can become dry and irritated, especially on those long-haul flights,” Dr. Micah Moy, a clinical professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of California, Berkeley, told me. Instead, she said, “wear glasses on airplanes for better comfort and so you don’t have to worry about blinking while wearing lenses.”
Before you leave on your trip, prepare your contact lens case by cleaning it. Then fill each side about halfway with contact lens solution — or the amount you’d normally use to fill your case. Screw the lid on tightly to avoid any leaks, and place the case in a ziplock bag inside a backpack or purse where you can easily access it. You can fill several contact cases so you have a backup in case anything goes wrong, and you don’t have to pack a huge bottle of solution.
When it’s time to remove contact lenses from your eyes, simply grab your case and place your contact lenses inside. Make sure your hands are as clean as possible.
According to a December 2024 survey, Americans spend more than 5 hours a day on their phones. With so much use, it’s no surprise that your phone becomes a bacteria hotspot — in fact, it’s often dirtier than a toilet seat. Since you’re constantly holding it and pressing it against your face, making regular phone cleaning part of your routine is more than just smart, it’s essential for your health.
The FCC recommends disinfecting your phone daily, but not all cleaning methods are safe. Harsh chemicals and abrasives can damage the protective coating and potentially damage your screen. To keep your phone clean and intact, it’s important to use the right cleaning techniques.
Fortunately, there are safe and effective ways to clean your phone without harming it. We’ll show you the best methods and products to keep your device germ-free, whether you have an iPhone or Samsung or its water resistance level.