UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi everyone.

I'm going on holiday to Dubai for the first time with my contact lenses and I want see what your experience of travelling is like when wearing the contact lenses.

1) What is it like wearing the lenses on the plan?

2) Has anyone been to a hot country like Dubai while wearing the RGP's?

3) If you wear sunglasses and the contact lenses together are there any complications?

I look forward to reading your responses

Regards

Abu

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Hi Abu,

I find wearing contact lenses on a long flight uncomfortable due to the air conditioning in the plane and the fact the air is recyled and it becomes very dry.

Never worn lenses in a hot country like Dubai, but I do wear sunglasses most the time and there has never been any complications.

GarethB wrote:Hi Abu,
Never worn lenses in a hot country like Dubai, but I do wear sunglasses most the time and there has never been any complications.

Gareth, what type of sunglasses do you wear?

Abu

Hi Abu, in my experience:

1. I don't wear lenses in the plane as eyes get tired and dry and lenses get very irritable. This has a bigger effect when you arrive at the destination and makes lens wearing difficult.

2. I've worn RGPs in Dubai as well as other hot countries. As long as i am wearing sunglasses there isn't a major problem. You have to be careful with dust and wind though and this is where the sunglasses help. I find that in humid climates lenses feel more comfortable.

3. I can't wear my lenses without sunglasses outside even in the UK. There are no complications in fact sunglasses are an essential for most KC sufferers.


Hope that helps

I wear my works safety glasses which are available in a dark tint. They are full wrapround but designed so you still have periferal vision through a flared tinted side arm.

Know one has ever realised they are safety glasses designed for outdoor use. In fact when I got them, people thought I was wearing sunglasses in the lab. They only cost £9.40 from Fisher Scientific.

Joe, thanks that is excellent news, I was bit scared about taking my lenses to Dubai because I was told that they might get uncomfortable especially in the air conditioned environment.

Gareth, thanks as always, I should start calling you "Mr Resourceful" from know onwards, I look for to meeting you in the conference.

I will start shopping around for a pair of sunglasses now.

Regards

Abu

Hi Abu

I wear my lenses in a hot and sunny climate all the time with no ill effects Because of the sunshine we get here I wear sunglasses all the time outdoors all year round.

As for flying, I keep my lenses in as I would on a normal day for long and short flights. I find it uncomfortable to be without lenses in as I cant see anything so feel very vulnerable, so I would rather keep them in as much as possible and suffer with a bit of dry eye from the aircon. Every where in Aus is airconned so its what I am used to. Some wetting drops every so often helps.

If I were you I would personally keep them in at least until you are settled on the plane, and then you always have the option of taking them out.

Good luck! hope you have a wonderful trip.