Corneal Damage from Wearing Contact Lenses on Flights? Long-Haul Travel Advisory Before Summer Vacation

Proper Hygiene and Lens Solution Management Are Essential

Avoid Rinsing Lenses with Tap Water

Be Cautious of Eye Surface Damage in Enclosed Cabin Environment

As demand for overseas travel increases, experts have warned that the habit of wearing contact lenses during long flights can negatively affect eye health. In particular, the dry environment inside airplane cabins can worsen dry eye syndrome and, in severe cases, increase the risk of corneal damage or infection. For this reason, experts advise that wearing glasses is a safer option than contact lenses on long-haul flights.

Experts advise that if it is judged difficult to maintain sufficient hygiene on board, wearing glasses from the start is the safest choice. It is also necessary to bring spare glasses in case of issues with lenses, lens cases, or cleaning solutions. Pixabay

On July 6 (local time), the New York Post in the United States reported, citing recent opinions from ophthalmologists, that caution is needed when wearing contact lenses during flights. Ophthalmologist Dr. Priya M. Mathews explained, "If your eyes are healthy, the flight is short or medium in duration, and you do not sleep on board, wearing contact lenses generally does not pose a major problem." However, she pointed out that circumstances can be different when you stay on board for an extended period, such as on long-haul international flights.

Due to the nature of flying at high altitudes, airplane cabins have very low humidity, which causes the tear film to evaporate quickly. As a result, passengers may experience symptoms such as dryness, a gritty or sandy sensation, redness, irritation, or pain in the eyes. If you are wearing contact lenses, both the lenses and the surface of the eyes can become dry, increasing discomfort.

Additionally, since the cabin environment is pressurized, the amount of oxygen supplied to the eyes can be lower than usual. When dryness is combined with reduced oxygen supply, contact lenses are more likely to stick to the cornea or cause micro-abrasions on the surface of the eye. Experts warn that such damage increases the risk of bacterial infection in the enclosed cabin environment.

Sleeping while wearing contact lenses on the plane should be strictly avoided. Another ophthalmologist, Dr. Arjan Khurana, stated, "Sleeping with lenses in significantly increases the risk of eye infection," adding, "If your eyes are already red, irritated, sensitive to light, or if you have a pre-existing eye infection, you should definitely wear glasses instead."

If you must wear contact lenses during a flight, maintaining proper hygiene is crucial. You should wash your hands thoroughly before touching your lenses, and always use fresh cleaning solution each time. It is also important to keep the lens case clean, and you should avoid rinsing lenses with tap water, as this can increase the risk of infection.

If your eyes become dry, using artificial tears or switching to a new pair of lenses can help. If possible, it is also recommended to switch to glasses for a period of time. If you are traveling for an extended period or taking multiple flights, it is important to follow your regular lens replacement schedule.

Experts advise that if maintaining adequate hygiene on board is deemed difficult, wearing glasses from the start is the safest choice. It is also necessary to bring a spare pair of glasses in case any issues arise with contact lenses, lens cases, or cleaning solutions. For lens cleaning solution, it is preferable to use travel-sized products, and if you transfer solution into another container, the risk of contamination increases, so it is best to carry it in its original packaging.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.