Packing Tips for Traveling with Eyewear

If you're planning a trip away, you've likely included some form of eyewear in your suitcase or carry-on. Whether it's a pair of glasses for vision correction, sunglasses for UV protection, contact lenses to help with eye dryness, or even goggles for water activities, eyewear is always essential to help you soak in the sights at your chosen destination.

However, a misplaced lens or some broken frames can happen at any time. Often, it's the little things that can put a damper on your sightseeing — the plastic nose pads could break off, or the tiny metal screws on your frames' arms suddenly become loose or unhinged. A visit to an optometrist might save your eyewear, but taking a side trip to get some assistance could put a dent in your travel plans and eat up some precious time. 

If you want to make good use of your glasses, sunglasses, or contact lenses throughout your trip, here are a few packing tips for traveling with eyewear.

Invest in high-quality pieces

Don't get us wrong — we love a good deal, and affordable eyewear will always be considered a steal. However, do bear in mind that traveling exposes your frames and contacts to the elements and unfamiliar environmental conditions, which can wear down their parts. If you're wearing older frames, they could easily break if dropped, while contact lenses can rip or fall off if you're on an adventure. It would be best to get high-quality, durable frames made with top-notch materials and excellent craftsmanship. Iconic brand Ray-Ban is known for its stylish and versatile eyeglasses, with flattering shapes like the Clubmaster Optics or Aviator Optics, and it has been unwavering in its commitment to high-quality and innovative eyewear for over 80 years. Though you may be concerned about a slightly pricier tag, eyewear from credible brands like Ray-Ban is a worthwhile purchase that will see you through different destinations in the years to come.

Keep them close

It's fine to pack your sunglasses and spare glasses (if you wear contact lenses) in your checked bag, but that puts them at the mercy of the other people who handle your luggage — meaning they're at higher risk of breaking or getting lost than putting them in your carry-on or personal bag. Your checked luggage could be mishandled or even go missing, so there's a slim chance to recover your eyewear in it if these issues happen. Worse, if your baggage is treated roughly, your eyewear may suffer damage on the way to your destination, so it's best to keep them close for safekeeping and to ensure you have them ready when you need them. Keeping them on your person or in your carry-on is ideal. You can retrieve your shades easily when you reach your destination or have your glasses handy if you remove your contact lenses on the plane. 

Pack the right essentials

Caring for your eyes (and, by extension, your eyewear) is something we do as maintenance, so there's no taking a break from doing these good habits when you're on vacation. Bringing the right tools can help you take good care of your eye care essentials. For your frames, a hard shell case is a must-have to store them in so they don't get damaged when not in use; soft leather eyewear pouches are also useful if you're backpacking or traveling light, but you may want to add extra padding around them so your frames won't break easily. A microfiber cloth or two will also help you keep the frames and lenses clean, and you can even invest in nose pads or a mini screwdriver set for eyewear to DIY repairs as needed. If you're not using disposable dailies for your contact lenses, you will also need to store them in a case and replace the contact lens solution in their case after use. Packing eye drops like the Blink-N-Clean lens drops can also help you avoid dry eyes when wearing them, so you won't have to worry about discomfort in dry areas. 

Bring a spare

Even with the right care, your eyewear isn't immune to mishaps during your trip. There's a chance that the screws can come loose, nose pads can break off, or a lens might pop out of the frame. You can try to fix it yourself or visit a local optometrist, but if you're worried about your schedule being thrown off or concerned about potential costs, it's ideal to bring a spare pair. Having an extra pair of glasses or shades can save you much time and stress, especially if your eyewear needs a more thorough repair beyond tightening the hinges or replacing a nose pad. You can use an old pair of frames or buy a cheap pair for a just-in-case situation.