_Many outdoor people wear contact lenses during their trips. If you are one of them, most problems can be avoided by carefully adhering to the following guidelines:
_- In most cases, disposable extended-wear lenses may be safely left in the eye for up to a week during a wilderness trip. If you are still in the field at the end of the week, remove and toss the old lenses. Leave them out overnight (at least 8-10 hours to permit reoxygenation) and insert a new pair in the morning. Pay strict attention to contact lens hygiene.
- Always carry a backup pair of glasses and extra lenses.
- Bacterial infections of the eye are more common if you wear contact lens. While most bacterial infections are self-limiting, some are serious and require advanced assessment and treatment. Consider carrying a topical antibiotic (Rx) eye drops to treat bacterial infections. If conjunctivitis develops, remove your lenses and begin antibiotic treatment; closely monitor for a corneal ulcer. Begin a Level 2 evacuation if you develop persistent eye pain or suspect the presence of a corneal ulcer; permanent loss of vision is possible. See the Wilderness Medicine Handbook for more information on how to treat common eye problems in the backcountry.
- Carry rewetting drops. Many contact lens wearers find that their eyes become dry in the outdoors. Note that both antibiotic and rewetting drops are subject to freezing.
- Choose contact lens with UV protection and wear sunglasses during the day.
- Given the potential problems associated with wearing contact lenses in the outdoors, consider prescription glacier glasses or laser refractive surgery
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