How to protect your eyes on long trips

Holidays lasting many days are an opportunity for many people to return to their hometowns, ride motorbikes, cycle, trekking, climbing mountains or explore tourist attractions. Journeys lasting many hours require constant focus and exposure to the sun, wind, dust and UV rays. In particular, wind and dust when driving can cause tears to evaporate quickly, causing dry, scratchy, and red eyes.

Constantly looking at the road or having to adapt to changes in light also causes the eyes to adjust and the pupils to dilate continuously. If you alternate using your phone to view maps, take photos or entertain, your eyes will have less time to rest. Therefore, long trips need to be prepared not only in terms of vehicles and luggage but also in eye protection.

Doctor Hoang Quyet Tien, Medical Information Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, shows some simple ways to help protect your eyes during long trips.

Wear UV-protective glasses when moving outdoors

Wearing suitable glasses helps limit wind, dust and direct sunlight, while also reducing the amount of UV rays affecting the eyes. This is especially necessary when continuously spending many hours outdoors because frequent exposure to bright light can increase oxidative stress in eye tissues. People with refractive errors should also use glasses of the correct degree to ensure visibility.

Rest your eyes after each journey

After each long drive, instead of taking out your phone to check messages or surfing the internet, causing your eyes to continue to adjust to close distances, you should take advantage of this time to drink water and look out into the distance. This not only helps your eyes truly relax, reducing overall fatigue, but also maintains good visibility for the next distance.

Use artificial tears when your eyes are dry and scratchy

When exposed to wind, dust or air conditioning for a long time, the eyes can become dry and uncomfortable. Preservative-free artificial tears can add moisture to the eye surface. If you need to apply drops multiple times a day, have an eye disease or have long-lasting symptoms, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist to choose the appropriate product.

Dr. Tien said, in addition to the above measures, some natural essences such as broccophane, extracted from broccoli sprouts rich in sulforaphane, have been studied for their ability to support the eye’s endogenous antioxidant system. Sulforaphane can promote the production of thioredoxin – a protein involved in protecting cells against oxidative stress, thereby supporting the protection of retinal and lens pigment epithelial cells.