Far flung travel and contacts

[sarah.w]

Thanks rosemary you dont know how much that has put my mind at rest, i thought i would have to take loads! I cant see how it would get infected if it's in my little lens bag. If i get stuck i know of 2 guys in NZ that fit sclerals ad supply amidose.
Thanks so much now i can just look forward to it!
x

[Janet Manning]

Hi Sarah,
I've never kept my saline, Amidose or Steripod in the fridge and have travelled in 40 degrees C in Southern Africa with no problems. I do have a small coolbag and freezer block for my preservative free drops though. You need at least 2 freezer blocks to be able to put one in the freezer at each overnight stay.

As regards water and cleaning lenses, I don't use tap water for rinsing or cleaning while abroad anywhere, but rather use saline. You can buy bottled saline - Purite in South Africa. I usually take my own supply - one vial per day and a few spares. It is heavy, but once used up allows for all the goodies I bring back! However I'm no longer back packing!

I've had my scissors confiscated when I forgot to put them in my main luggage. I argued and showed my Amidose to no avail. Even offered to have staff keep them on the plane, but the answer was a very emphatic 'no', so I made a great show of cutting the tops off several vials before surrendering my scissors to a vast pile of scissors, penknives, razors etc. In this case Steripod is more convenient because the top twists off.

I find it amazing how when you ask for assitance because you cannot see, people continue to point and say 'see the sign down there' etc!!!!

Happy travelling!

[Louise Pembroke]

Oh yes I had the 'see the sign down there' 3 times and each time I explained I couldn't see the sign they just kept repeating it, it was tempting to ask whether they had 2 brain cells between the 3 of them...

[Per]

Did you ever consider to bring a guide-horse? Had a funny tread about that when you were away. Seems they can be brought everywhere, even in a mulitcultural taxi-backseat.....

Just joking with you. Welcome back, Louise!

[wheelnut]

probably the same type of people who think a non english speaking person will understand if they speak louder.

[Louise Pembroke]

Thankyou Per! it's the problem of not being visually recognisable as sight impaired, and of course lets not get into this being a temporary problem, they can't understand that either! I think big signs, big letters...

[sarah.w]

Thanks janet, im going to phone the airline before i go to ask their advice (or try anyway!). I was given some boxes of steripod to try but i havent got round to it yet!i think i may well give them a go and take some of them with me too. Also what are the preservitive free drops you keep cool? Im pretty sure i dont use them but just checking!
Thanks for the advice

[Janet Manning]

Hi Sarah,
I have to use sodium cromoglicate drops for dry eye - on prescription. They also calm down allergic reactions. I've reduced them from 4 times a day to 2 or 3, but if I stop lens wear time reduces significantly. They have to be preservative free or I cannot put them in with lenses in place.

[Andrew MacLean]

Janet

I am unable to use any drops with preservatives. This makes sourcing artificial tears quite a problem.

Andrew

[Janet Manning]

Hi Andrew,
Have long given up on artificial tears and now use Steripod saline when eyes feel dry. I keep a tube by the bed, one in the car, one on my desk etc. Have even been known to slip some in at the traffic lights!!! I simply use as needed until the tube is finished and have had no problems with infection etc. Amidose is just as good. Give it a try.