Longhaul travel and RGP Wear

[Sweet]

Hello, yes Boots (sorry to advertise lol) have a lovely selection of plastic bottles in all sizes and very cheap too! So you could take a selection and throw them when you get there. Also i noticed when Christmas shopping that Debenhams had a lovely silver case where you could store your case and little bottle of solution. Am thinking that this might have been more of a girly colour mind, but watch this space, as i'm sure that it will all take off soon!!!

When i fly i don't bother to wear my lens at all as i can just about see without it to get on the plane, and then as what usually happens i fall asleep! I then put it in about thirty minutes before landing so that i can see to get off at the other end! I don't need a mirror either and find that if you just look down open your eye with your fingers and place the lens at the centre of the eye and slowly blink that you will get it in every time. Just take it slowly and don't panic about losing it, because believe me if you think that you probably will!

Also just a side note, but you are going to take a spare one with you aren't you just in case?!! And also, don't put any solution or lenses in your main luggage, as it is more likely to get lost. Your hand luggage is much safer!!

Have a good flight!

Sweet X x X

[Louise Pembroke]

I'm taking a long haul flight next month too, and I was worried about not over wearing my lens but I can't negotiate airports etc without it.
I'll be putting it in at 5am, arriving at my destination at 8.40pm but it will be AM their time. I then won't be free till after lunch. I can't leave the lens in for 20 hours, so I thought I would take it out on the plane, put in a cleaned spare at my seat before landing, cleaning my hands with those wet wipes, then take it out again after lunch for a few more hours. I can't handle those small toilets!
It's the return journey that's more difficult because it's in the middle of the night and I will have to leave my lens out. I know I can get assistance at the airport but it's getting to the airport that worries me. I'll ask hotel staff to make sure I get into the right cab, and not just anyones car.
I'm far more worried about that then dancing in front of hundreds of people or giving a lecture at the hospital!
For users of Boston solutions - Boots do their own brand [chemically the same as Boston according to the pharmacist] of a travel pack. This contains a small bottle of the cleaner/soaking solutions and a lens case. They also do travel size bottles of saline.

[GarethB]

To solve the problem of lenses sticking to the lid, I have a mini sink plunger type tool from the optician for RGP lenses.

Forgot to mention that earlier.

[Knight]

To solve the problem of lenses sticking to the lid, I have a mini sink plunger type tool from the optician for RGP lenses.

Forgot to mention that earlier.

my only issue about using those is that make sure u get the right one bc with the wrong Contact Lens Pluger unless u get it spot on the lens you can pull or tear the conjunctiva and not know right away until its too late - althou they're a little easier to use with the wide scleral lenses bc those cover most of the eye anyway, make sure they're the vented Plungers, so if u make a mistake and suck it to the eye just release your finger from the vent and it lets go.

[jayboi2005]

i have work my RGP's for 19 hours and ouch did it hurt me when i took them out. silly me decided i would do it while we were about to land. i dont know if its just me, but do you ever get where yiu just have to remove them.

[Louise Pembroke]

Know what you mean Jay, I've over worn mine and boy does it hurt when you take it out! Sometimes I have to remove it on the spot, can't wait at all.
Those mini sink plungers for eyes are good, like when the lens is stuck on the case lid. I'm very careful using it near my eye, I will only use it if the lens is stuck under the eyeball in the lower lid. Even then I make sure it is on the lens and not my eye. I wouldn't risk it with the upper part.

[jayboi2005]

i have never had that problem of know what a plunger is however it sounds useful. i spend sometimes as much as 30 mins puttin the lenses in i just dont like them, i used to get them stuck when i got them but i havent for ages thankfully.

[Janet Manning]

Have just returned from South Africa. First time I went after transplants I was very nervous about not being able to see on the plane, but have now got it down to a fine art. Wear lenses to get on the plane and for dinner. remove about 11 p.m., and use walkman or iPod to listen to talking books all night, sleeping when I can. As soon as they put the lights back on I go to the toilet to insert lenses, otherwise you cannot get past the trolley in the aisle. I don't like using the wipes because I'm afraid any residue might sting my eyes when inserting the lens. Just make sure the loo is closed, so your lens case cannot fall down!!!
This gives my eyes only about 6 hours rest, so the following day, I have to have a lens break at some point.

I carry spare lenses, solution for entire trip, eyedrops in cool bag all in my hand luggage for safety. Nothing parts me from my eye stuff!!! If you use Amidose, make sure you cut the tops off several tubes before getting on the plane, because you can't carry scissors. Got mine confiscated once. I also have my lenses insured worldwide on my house insurance.

By the way I swim with goggles, even if not putting my head under water. This ensures, that should my lens drop out, I won't lose it. This time I survived heavy surf on the Kwazulu Natal coast without mishap.

Happy travelling!

[rosemary johnson]

When I've flown long-haul, I've taken the lens(es) out when I've got on the plane, and left them out.
I've booked special assistance from the airlines for help at the far end, getting off the plane and to the right end destination.
I wear sclerals and store them dry.
I've got a yellow bum bag I packed my contact lens stuff 0 and my asthma inhalers - in, so they were always handy and I didn't have to go burrowing in handbags, etc or rummaging in overhead lockers.
"Special assistance" can vary in quality, but remember how much of your hard-earned cash you spent on the plane tickets, and be polite but firm. (THey are often more used to mobility-disabled passengers than those who can walk fine but not see where they are going. SOmetimes, I've had people turn up with wheelchairs!)

Good luck! - hope you enjoy where you're going.
COuple more tips:
remember aircrat cabin air tends to be dry and it is easy to get dehhydrated. Take water bottles with you, and make sure you drinnk plenty - don't be embarrassed about asking the cabin crew for glasses of water, if you feel dry.
beware the day after - and the day after that! I found my eyes stood up pretty well to an overnight flight to Jo'burg, and home again, and to having a contact lens cranked in again in an airport ladies at some unreasonable hour - and survived that day ok. It was the *following* day they let me know they didn't think this was cricket - and the day after that.

Oh, and check the rules on what you can take on board a plane with you. If you might need to open ampoules, or tubes of Amidose, how are you going to get them open? Can you get a snipper on board in your hand luggage if you have a doctor's note, or not at all?? (One answer I've had to this is press the stewardess call button, and ask them to open this tube for you, with a *clean* knife, please, and see what happens.)
Rosemary

[Louise Pembroke]

I'm going to confuse them needing assistance on the return but not outward journey!