A recent case has highlighted the potential risks of wearing contact lenses during long-haul flights. The incident involved a traveler who experienced temporary loss of vision in one eye after returning home from an international trip. The woman had worn her contact lenses throughout the 11-hour flight from Greece and for 24 hours of travel, including while swimming and showering.
According to the woman's account, she developed pain and sensitivity to light within days of returning home, before her vision significantly worsened. Doctors eventually diagnosed her with a corneal ulcer and she underwent weeks of treatment with eye drops, leaving her with a small scar that continues to blur part of her vision.
Experts say that the dry air inside an airplane cabin, combined with hours spent wearing contact lenses, can lead to irritation or damage to the surface of the eye. Valerie Kattouf, an Illinois-based optometrist, notes that wearing contacts during extended flights can increase dry-eye symptoms and lead to a "sandy, gritty feeling" and intermittent blurred vision.
Kattouf recommends that travelers preparing for a long flight consider bringing an up-to-date pair of prescription glasses instead of wearing contact lenses. She suggests that those who do wear contacts switch to glasses before sleeping or partway through the flight, and that single-use vials of artificial tears may also help provide additional lubrication during the flight.
The issue has sparked discussion among travelers online, with some saying they opt for glasses during longer trips to avoid the potential risks associated with wearing contact lenses during flights.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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