Contact Lenses on Planes: Risk of Eye Irritation, Infection Warned

Khaosod•Society•20d ago

Reader Briefing

Experts advise caution with contact lenses during air travel due to risks of dry eyes and serious infections.

•Wearing contact lenses on airplanes, especially long-haul flights, increases the risk of eye irritation and severe infections.
•The dry cabin environment and lower oxygen levels contribute to discomfort and potential complications.
•Experts recommend avoiding sleep with lenses, opting for glasses, and maintaining strict hygiene if lenses are necessary.

•Experts warn that wearing contact lenses on airplanes, particularly on long flights, poses risks of eye irritation and severe infection.
•The dry cabin environment and reduced oxygen levels on aircraft cause eyes and contact lenses to lose moisture.
•This can lead to discomfort, a feeling of foreign objects in the eyes, redness, irritation, or eye pain.
•Reduced oxygen and dry eyes can increase the risk of corneal abrasions, or the lens adhering to the eye.
•Sleeping with contact lenses on a plane significantly elevates the risk of infection.
•Individuals with red, irritated, light-sensitive, or infected eyes should wear eyeglasses instead.
•For those wearing lenses, maintain hand hygiene, use standard solutions, clean lens cases, and avoid tap water.
•Use artificial tears, change lenses if needed, or temporarily cease wear if unusual symptoms appear.

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Expert

"Should not sleep while wearing contact lenses on the plane, as it greatly increases the risk of infection."

ไม่ควรนอนหลับขณะสวมใส่คอนแทคเลนส์บนเครื่องบิน เพราะจะเพิ่มความเสี่ยงต่อการติดเชื้ออย่างมาก

Expert

"If symptoms are severe and not properly managed, vision may be temporarily affected, and in rare cases, permanent vision loss may occur."

หากอาการรุนแรงและไม่ได้รับการดูแลอย่างเหมาะสม อาจส่งผลกระทบต่อการมองเห็นชั่วคราว และในกรณีที่พบได้น้อย อาจเกิดการสูญเสียการมองเห็นอย่างถาวร

Maloney-Shamie-Hura Vision Institute

A vision institute from which an expert provided advice.

Dr. Arjan Hura(นพ.อาร์จาน ฮูรา)

Cataract and Anterior Segment Surgeon from Maloney-Shamie-Hura Vision Institute who advises against sleeping with contact lenses on planes.