Summer is officially here and that means Manitobans are gearing up to head out to their favourite campgrounds across the province. Each year, hundreds of Canadian families spend their summers roasting marshmallows by the fire, bird watching on hiking trails and jumping into the extremely refreshing lakes, but sometimes vision problems can hold people back.
Glasses and contacts can make participating in some of your favourite outdoor activities difficult and can force you to wait on the shore and let the others enjoy the day. If you’ve already planned to head out before committing to laser eye surgery, here’s a couple of things to keep in mind when you are out there camping with contacts or glasses:
Contact Lens Care and Sanitation
Most campgrounds have a limited amount and access to clean running water and it can be tricky to keep your contacts away from bacteria and other dust or dirt. To make sure your surroundings stay as sanitary as possible, bring along anti-bacterial wipes and change your contacts in your tent.
Did you know that when you swim with contacts you run a risk of getting an infection called Acanthamoeba? The serious infection, which is a water born microorganism, gets trapped between your eye and contact lens and can cause irritation and redness.
Avoid public bathrooms as they may not be cleaned on a regular basis and you want to refrain from coming in contact with any bacteria or dirt. Lastly, bring an extra pair. We can’t always control what happens in the outdoors and it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Break or Loss of Glasses
Let’s face it, glasses can be your lifeline and if you break them while hiking or mountain biking –you might be in trouble. Avoid running into this problem by bringing an extra pair. Whether you invest in an emergency pair of glasses that you bring along or not, it’s important to put a backup plan in action just in case.
When you head out to the water, leave your glasses behind on the shore, if it’s safe enough for you to do so. For those who wear glasses on a daily basis, they are a huge investment and it’d be a real shame to break them while on vacation. Bring your case along to the beach or ask someone in the boat to hold onto them while you are riding the wake on your water skis.
Without Boundaries
Imagine enjoying the campfire without having to worry about dust and smoke getting into your contacts or jumping freely into the lake without the paranoia of losing yet another pair of glasses. Anticipate the incredible views that you could finally take in and see clearly, isn’t that worth it? If you’ve been thinking of getting laser eye surgery, you aren’t alone. Laser Vision Correction is one of the most frequently performed elective surgeries in North America.
It has a proven record of success and it is virtually pain-free. Stop letting your eyes be the main focus of your trip; change your life with a safe, reliable and quick treatment and enjoy the rest of camping season without boundaries that have held you back for so long.
If you are tired of dealing with your contacts and glasses when you are camping, book a complimentary assessment with a specialist from our vision care team today. Don’t let your eyes hold you back and enjoy a family camping trip without contacts or glasses!