Glasses or Contact Lenses?

guerik · Aug 29th, 2003, 06:03

What are your experiences of travelling with either glasses or contact lenses, and what would you recommend?
I'll need to wear one or the other as I'm short-sighted and will otherwise miss out on the sights

rab · Aug 29th, 2003, 06:22

I always wear glasses and have never had a problem travelling anywhere.

Don't forget to see my recent thread regarding glasses.

guerik · Aug 29th, 2003, 08:28

Sorry about that - didn't see the other thread

-m2- · Aug 29th, 2003, 08:35

it is difficult to keep one's hands and fingers clean while travelling, especially in a country like India. If you frequently have to stick your finger in your eye to adjust contacts or are bothered by dust and pollution, you will be way better off with glasses in my opinion. Bring your prescription and an extra pair along.

angelika · Aug 29th, 2003, 16:03

I agree with m2.
Last year two friends and I travelled through south india. One of them was wearing contact lenses all the time. We were travelling mostly on trains, busses and taxis. and it was always rather windy. After 4 weeks the friend of mine with the contact lenses got really sick. She got a infection on one of her eyes and had to go every day to the eyedoctor. Luckily we were already in Goa and there was a really really good doctor in margao. When she was back in germany her eyedoctor in munich told her, that it was a very serious infection with the possibility to get blind and only the correct diagnosis and therapy by the indian doctor helped her.
The german doctor also said that it maybe came from wearing contect lenses and getting maybe bacteria or something like that behind the lense but it is difficult to say.

I don't wanna make you scrary with this story. But maybe its better to bring the eyeglasses with you.

Have a wonderful time in India and keep well and fit.

fat freddy's cat · Aug 30th, 2003, 04:30

When i was in India i used both. Glasses were fine but i hate wearing them on the beach because if i go in the water i have to keep them on (cos i'm really badly shortsighted) and it feels a bit uncomfortable pushing wet specs up your nose every 5 mins! I had no problems with contacts except very dry eyes which was easily sorted with eye drops for lens wearers. I had no infections probably because i used hand sanitiser everytime i removed them.

guerik · Sep 1st, 2003, 10:26

Thanks Angelika, I'd rather be a little bit frightened than go blind though!

I think I'll bring the contacts but also some glasses, and rip out the contacts at the first sign of discomfort..

Thanks everyone for your advice!

Watson · Sep 1st, 2003, 21:58

I wore contacts the last two times and glasses on long train or bus rides without any problems. I agree completely with Fat Freddy - USE HAND SANITISERS. Not much can happen if your hands are nice and clean.

lloyd · Sep 2nd, 2003, 04:49

m2 has got it right.glasses are far easier.if you insist on contact lenses wear the daily disposable ones as they are a lot more hygenic and a lot easier than having to carry bottles of solutions with you.
remember to take your prescription with you just incase you damage or misplace your specs. buying glasses is a lot cheaper than in the UK

Aug 29th, 2003, 06:03	#1
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	Glasses or Contact Lenses? What are your experiences of travelling with either glasses or contact lenses, and what would you recommend? I'll need to wear one or the other as I'm short-sighted and will otherwise miss out on the sights

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Contact Lenses	federica	Packing Tips for India travel	58	Feb 3rd, 2008 20:02
Glasses / Contact Lenses (again!!)	mercedes10	Health and Well Being in India	2	May 26th, 2004 17:38
contact lenses	suzanne	Health and Well Being in India	4	Sep 19th, 2003 10:58

Aug 29th, 2003, 06:22	#2
rab Honorary Mod Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: McLaren Vale, South Australia Posts: 1,216	I always wear glasses and have never had a problem travelling anywhere. Don't forget to see my recent thread regarding glasses.

Aug 29th, 2003, 08:28	#3
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	Sorry about that - didn't see the other thread

Aug 29th, 2003, 08:35	#4
-m2- . Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: . Posts: 1,577	it is difficult to keep one's hands and fingers clean while travelling, especially in a country like India. If you frequently have to stick your finger in your eye to adjust contacts or are bothered by dust and pollution, you will be way better off with glasses in my opinion. Bring your prescription and an extra pair along.

Aug 29th, 2003, 16:03	#5
angelika Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Munich - Germany Posts: 109	I agree with m2. Last year two friends and I travelled through south india. One of them was wearing contact lenses all the time. We were travelling mostly on trains, busses and taxis. and it was always rather windy. After 4 weeks the friend of mine with the contact lenses got really sick. She got a infection on one of her eyes and had to go every day to the eyedoctor. Luckily we were already in Goa and there was a really really good doctor in margao. When she was back in germany her eyedoctor in munich told her, that it was a very serious infection with the possibility to get blind and only the correct diagnosis and therapy by the indian doctor helped her. The german doctor also said that it maybe came from wearing contect lenses and getting maybe bacteria or something like that behind the lense but it is difficult to say. I don't wanna make you scrary with this story. But maybe its better to bring the eyeglasses with you. Have a wonderful time in India and keep well and fit.

Aug 30th, 2003, 04:30	#6
fat freddy's cat Miaowing Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: uk Posts: 197	When i was in India i used both. Glasses were fine but i hate wearing them on the beach because if i go in the water i have to keep them on (cos i'm really badly shortsighted) and it feels a bit uncomfortable pushing wet specs up your nose every 5 mins! I had no problems with contacts except very dry eyes which was easily sorted with eye drops for lens wearers. I had no infections probably because i used hand sanitiser everytime i removed them.

Sep 1st, 2003, 10:26	#7
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	Thanks Angelika, I'd rather be a little bit frightened than go blind though! I think I'll bring the contacts but also some glasses, and rip out the contacts at the first sign of discomfort.. Thanks everyone for your advice!

Sep 1st, 2003, 21:58	#8
Watson You look, No Problem! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 240	I wore contacts the last two times and glasses on long train or bus rides without any problems. I agree completely with Fat Freddy - USE HAND SANITISERS. Not much can happen if your hands are nice and clean.

Sep 2nd, 2003, 04:49	#9
lloyd Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: wales Posts: 1	m2 has got it right.glasses are far easier.if you insist on contact lenses wear the daily disposable ones as they are a lot more hygenic and a lot easier than having to carry bottles of solutions with you. remember to take your prescription with you just incase you damage or misplace your specs. buying glasses is a lot cheaper than in the UK

User Name		Remember Me?
Password