Glaucoma, Your Travel Buddy
Glaucoma can lead to blindness if not taken care of. The good news is managing the disease while traveling is certainly possible with the proper precautions. Keep the following in mind when planning a trip to keep eyes healthy and vision in peak form.
The usual treatments
The most common treatment methods for glaucoma involve a series of eye drops to keep the disease at bay. These drops often come in travel-ready containers perfect for taking on the road. Patients may receive a single vial or multiple medications, each with a specific purpose. Taking all prescribed drops is necessary to avoid loss of sight.
Stock up
Before heading out the door, make sure there’s enough glaucoma medication for the duration of the journey. Consider the length of travel and how often each drop needs to be used. Partially-used droppers can run out unexpectedly, making brand-new bottles a safe bet. Don’t hesitate to ask the physician for an extra prescription in case more drops are needed while away from home.
Carry on
Eye drops are only effective when accessible. Be sure to put these medications into carry-on luggage and not checked items that go under the plane. The TSA allows liquid medications above approved sizes to be brought on the plane. Each drop will need to be declared during the security screening process. Leaving medications in the original containers can help avoid confusion.
Maintaining the new normal
Glaucoma eye drops work best as part of a normal routine, even when jumping into new time zones. A doctor can advise whether to use drops based on home time or whether adapting to local time is possible. Finding a rhythm as soon as possible is important to avoid missing a dose. Keeping the same interval between doses helps maximize each drop’s effectiveness.
You better remind me
Use a daily calendar, ideally on a smartphone, to keep track of each medication. Mark each drop complete when taken for the day to avoid confusion. Set an alarm on a device to serve as a reminder when the time comes to administer each drop.
Take a day away
Don’t forget to take eye drops along on day trips away from accommodation. Medications will do little good when left at the hotel. Put a note on the door, hotel key, or similar location so no drop is forgotten before heading out.
Climate change
Keep climate in mind when taking medications to a new location. Most eye drops don’t do well in hot or cold climates and can lose effectiveness. Even if traveling to an extreme temperature, be sure to have plans to safely store glaucoma bottles.
I knew I forgot something
Losing meds or leaving a supply at home can leave travelers in a tizzy. Bring an extra script along as a precaution and replace missing drops as needed. In the worst case, the doctor’s office can usually send a prescription to another pharmacy for fulfillment.
Doctor knows best
Schedule a visit with the ophthalmologist before taking off to work out potential issues before traveling. Use this time to ask questions about the trip and write down any additional suggestions the healthcare specialist may have. Glaucoma shouldn’t put a damper on any trip, and being prepared is the best way to ensure a great time.