Contact Lens Care for Hikers & Outdoor Adventurers

Photo by Natallia Photo on Unsplash

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: I am not an eye care professional, and this article is not medical advice. The tips and suggestions below are based on personal experience and research, but they should not replace guidance from your optometrist or ophthalmologist. Always consult with your eye doctor before making changes to your contact lens routine, especially for backcountry adventures where proper eye care is crucial.

The great outdoors presents unique challenges for contact lens wearers. Dust, wind, variable water sources, and limited access to sanitation facilities can make lens care seem daunting when you're miles from civilization.

But here's the good news: with proper preparation and the right techniques, contact lens wearers can enjoy extended backcountry trips without compromising eye health or outdoor experiences. This guide will walk you through everything from pre-trip planning to emergency solutions when things don't go as planned.

Pre-Trip Planning: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Consult Your Eye Care Professional

Before embarking on any extended outdoor adventure, schedule an appointment with your optometrist to:

• Confirm your current prescription

• Discuss your trip plans and any lens-specific concerns

• Ask about prescribing daily disposable lenses specifically for your trip (even if you normally wear monthlies)

• Request a copy of your glasses prescription as a backup

• Consider getting fitted for extended-wear lenses approved for overnight use

Tell your eye doctor exactly what activities you'll be doing and for how long. They may recommend specific lens types or solutions based on your adventure plans.

Choose the Right Type of Contact Lenses for Backcountry

When it comes to backcountry adventures, not all contact lenses are created equal:

Daily Disposable Lenses

Pros:

• No cleaning or solution needed

• Fresh, sterile lens each day

• Lightweight packaging

• Reduced risk of eye infections

• Best option for most backcountry situations

Cons:

• More expensive

• Generate more waste

• Need to pack enough pairs for entire trip plus extras

Two-Week or Monthly Lenses

Pros:

• Cost-effective for longer trips

• Less packaging waste

• Fewer lenses to pack

Cons:

• Require cleaning solution and storage case

• Higher infection risk if proper hygiene is difficult

• More complicated hygiene routine

Extended Wear Lenses

Pros:

• Can be worn continuously (including while sleeping) for up to 7 days

• Eliminate daily handling in unsanitary conditions

• Reduced risk of losing lenses

Cons:

• Not suitable for everyone

• Increased risk of complications with continuous wear

• Still need backup options

For most backcountry situations, daily disposables offer the best balance of convenience and eye health—even if you normally wear monthly lenses in your everyday life. Consider requesting a trial pack or prescription specifically for your outdoor adventures.

Build Your Backcountry Contact Lens Kit

Whether you choose daily disposables or reusable lenses, assemble a dedicated kit that includes:

For All Lens Types:

• Extra pairs of lenses (at least 50% more than you think you'll need)

• Current pair of prescription glasses in a hard case

• Small mirror (unbreakable)

• Headlamp or flashlight (for lens insertion/removal in low light)

• Lubricating eye drops suitable for contact lens wearers

• Hand sanitizer (alcohol-based)

• Microfiber cloth for glasses

• Copy of your prescription (stored in a waterproof container)

Additional Items for Reusable Lenses:

• Travel-sized contact solution (plus a backup bottle)

• Contact lens case (plus a spare)

• Consider a UV sterilizer designed for contact lens cases

• Neutralizing enzymatic cleaner tablets

Emergency Items:

• Sterile saline solution in single-use vials

• Tweezers (for retrieving dropped lenses)

• Extra lens case

• Small container of artificial tears without preservatives

Pack your contact lens supplies in a dedicated waterproof container within your backpack, where they won't get crushed or exposed to extreme temperatures.

Daily Contact Lens Routines in the Backcountry

Morning Lens Insertion

The morning routine presents unique challenges when you're in a tent or primitive shelter:

1. Make cleanliness your priority: Clean your hands thoroughly with biodegradable soap and water, then apply hand sanitizer and allow to fully dry.

2. Create a clean workspace: If inside a tent, keep your sleeping bag zipped up to prevent lenses from falling in. Use a clean bandana or pack towel as a workspace.

3. Use gravity as your ally: Sit up fully and lean slightly forward when inserting lenses to prevent them from falling.

4. Utilize your headlamp: In dim morning light, use your headlamp on a low setting to see what you're doing.

5. Have a secure plan for packaging: For daily disposables, have a designated waste bag for used packaging.

Evening Lens Removal

At the end of a long day on the trail:

1. Address hand cleanliness first: Wash hands thoroughly, ideally before entering your tent.

2. Set up your lens station: Place your mirror in a stable position. If using a headlamp, position it to illuminate your eyes without blinding you.

3. Prepare your storage solution: For reusable lenses, open your case and add fresh solution before removing lenses to avoid scrambling with a lens in your finger.

4. Inspect each lens: Check for debris or damage before storage.

5. Secure everything immediately: Don't leave solution bottles open or lenses exposed to the elements.

Water Considerations for Contact Lens Care

Water safety becomes critical for lens wearers in the backcountry:

1. Never use backcountry water sources for lens care: Natural water sources can contain microorganisms like Acanthamoeba that can cause serious eye infections.

2. Filter, then boil for handwashing: If using backcountry water for handwashing, filter and boil it first, then allow to cool.

3. Consider carrying dedicated water: Reserve a small amount of treated water specifically for lens-related hygiene.

4. Sanitize hands after washing: Even after washing with treated water, use hand sanitizer before handling lenses.

5. Keep water activities and lens care separate: Wait at least 15 minutes after swimming or water crossings before handling lenses.

Contact Lens Strategies for Different Outdoor Activities

Hiking and Backpacking

• Pack lens supplies at the top of your backpack for easy access during breaks

• Consider wearing a brimmed hat to reduce dust and glare

• In dusty conditions, sport-specific wraparound sunglasses provide additional protection

• Schedule lens changes for morning at camp rather than on the trail

Camping and Overnight Trips

• Establish a designated "clean area" in your tent for lens handling

• Use a hanging organizer to keep lens supplies off the tent floor

• Consider a small battery-powered fan to reduce lens fogging in humid conditions

• Include lens care in your nightly routine before you become too tired

Water Sports and Swimming

• Wear waterproof goggles over contact lenses for water activities

• Consider daily disposables for water days, disposing of them immediately afterward

• Never swim in lakes or rivers while wearing contacts without protective goggles

• If water does get in your eyes while wearing contacts, remove them as soon as possible

Winter and Snow Activities

• Cold, dry air can increase lens discomfort; carry preservative-free rewetting drops

• Snow glare can be intense; wear UV-protecting sunglasses over contacts

• In extreme cold, store solution inside your sleeping bag at night to prevent freezing

• Warming lens solution next to your body before application can reduce discomfort

Troubleshooting Common Backcountry Contact Lens Problems

Lost or Torn Lens

1. If you drop a lens, don't panic. Use your headlamp to carefully scan the area.

2. For a lens lost in a tent, methodically search small sections at a time.

3. Use a moistened fingertip to pick up a found lens.

4. Always pack multiple spare pairs for each eye.

Dry, Irritated Eyes

1. Remove lenses immediately if experiencing significant discomfort.

2. Use preservative-free lubricating drops specifically for contact lens wearers.

3. Take a "lens break" by wearing glasses for a day if possible.

4. Stay hydrated—general dehydration contributes to dry eyes.

5. Avoid sitting directly in smoke from campfires.

Debris Under Lens

1. Remove the lens immediately.

2. Rinse with sterile solution.

3. Inspect carefully before reinserting.

4. If irritation persists, wear glasses and give your eye time to recover.

Solution Disasters

1. If you spill or run out of solution, never substitute with water or saliva.

2. In a true emergency, preservative-free saline intended for wound care can be used temporarily.

3. Consider packing single-use vials of saline as an emergency backup.

4. For reusable lenses, wearing your backup glasses is safer than improvising solution.

Emergency Contact Lens Situations

When to Seek Medical Attention

Some symptoms require immediate attention, even if it means cutting your trip short:

• Significant eye pain that doesn't resolve with lens removal

• Decreased vision

• Severe redness

• Light sensitivity

• Yellow or green discharge

• Swelling of the eye or eyelid

These could indicate a corneal ulcer or serious infection, which can progress rapidly and potentially threaten vision.

Creating an Emergency Action Plan

Before your trip:

1. Research the nearest eye care facilities to your backcountry location

2. Understand evacuation routes from your planned trails

3. Ensure your first aid kit includes eye-specific items

4. Discuss potential scenarios with hiking partners

Lightweight Alternatives to Traditional Solutions

For ultralight backpackers, traditional contact lens supplies may seem bulky. Consider these alternatives:

1. Solid soap sheets instead of liquid soap for handwashing

2. Single-use lens solution vials rather than bottles

3. Pre-moistened lens cleaning wipes (though not as effective as solution)

4. Lightweight microfiber cloths instead of cotton

5. Contact lens cases with built-in mirrors

6. Multi-purpose containers that can serve for both storage and mirrors

Remember that eye health should always take priority over pack weight. Never compromise on sanitation to save a few ounces.

Beyond the Basics: Tips from Experienced Outdoor Contact Lens Wearers

Pre-Trip Conditioning

• If switching to daily disposables for your trip, start using them a week before departing to ensure they work well for you

• Practice your field lens routine at home first, including insertion/removal with limited facilities

• If considering extended wear lenses, test them on shorter trips before relying on them for extended backcountry use

Lens-Friendly Gear Recommendations

• Synthetic neck gaiters can double as lens-handling clean surfaces

• Photochromic lenses that darken in bright light reduce the need to switch between sunglasses and regular glasses

• Hydration bladders with bite valves make it easier to stay hydrated without using your hands

• Anti-fog treatments for glasses can be helpful in humid conditions

Long-Term Strategies for Regular Adventurers

• Consider laser eye surgery if you're a frequent backcountry traveler (though understand the risks and recovery time)

• Explore prescription sport sunglasses as an alternative for specific activities

• Look into custom sports goggles with prescription inserts for water and snow activities

• Build a relationship with an eye doctor who understands outdoor activities

Sharing Your Experience

We'd love to hear your contact lens backcountry hacks! What's worked for you on the trail? Any lessons learned the hard way? Share your experiences in the comments below.

And if you're preparing for an upcoming adventure, check out our guides on Essential Hiking Gear for more specialized outdoor advice.

Happy trails and clear vision!