Of Vision and Vacations!

Unpacking the Ways that Travel Affects Your Eyes

- by: Dr Khor Wei Boon

As we head towards the end of the year, many of us will be taking time off from work or school to travel. Travelling can be an enjoyable and enriching experience, but it may also be stressful to our bodies. Long flights, changes in the weather, and unfamiliar environments can all place a strain on our eyes and vision. In this article, I will explain how travelling can affect your eyes, and what steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy and stress-free during your vacation!

FLYING WITH DRY AIR AND DRY EYES

One of the most common eye complaints during air travel is dryness. The humidity in airplane cabins can be very low, creating an environment that is much drier than our typical Singapore weather. In this dry air, the tear film that normally keeps our eyes moist and comfortable evaporates faster than usual. The use of digital devices and inflight entertainment screens will also contribute to this dryness. All this results in a gritty, burning sensation, red eyes, or even intermittently blurred vision, particularly for people who already suffer from dry eye syndrome or who wear contact lenses.

What you can do:

1 Bring and apply preservative-free artificial tears regularly during your flight.

2 If you wear contact lenses, consider switching to glasses for the duration of the flight.

3 Stay hydrated-drink water regularly, and avoid excessive alcohol or caffeine.

4 Follow the 20-20-20 rule when using digital devices: Every 20 mins, look 20 ft away for 20 secs.

UV EXPOSURE AND “SUNBURNS” OF THE CORNEA

It is no secret that ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage our eyes over time. But we sometimes underestimate how our UV exposure is increased during travel, particularly on snowy slopes, by clear blue seas, or during high-altitude hikes.