Extended holidays often see many people traveling home, riding motorbikes, cycling, trekking, mountain climbing, or exploring tourist destinations. These journeys, lasting many hours, demand continuous eye focus and expose eyes to sunlight, wind, dust, and UV rays. Notably, wind and dust encountered while driving can quickly evaporate tears, leading to dry, irritated, and red eyes.

Constantly focusing on the road and adapting to changing light conditions force the eyes to adjust and pupils to dilate continuously. Interspersing this with using a phone for navigation, taking photos, or entertainment further limits eye rest. Therefore, preparing for long journeys should include not only vehicles and luggage but also strategies for eye protection.

Doctor Hoang Quyet Tien, from the Medical Information Center at Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, offers simple methods to help protect your eyes on long journeys.

Wear UV-protective glasses when traveling outdoors

Wearing appropriate glasses helps to limit wind, dust, and direct sunlight, while also reducing the amount of UV radiation affecting the eyes. This is particularly crucial when traveling outdoors for many hours, as frequent exposure to strong light can increase oxidative stress in eye tissues. Individuals with refractive errors should also use correctly prescribed glasses to ensure clear vision.

Wearing sunglasses is advisable to protect eyes when cycling or traveling outdoors for extended periods. Photo: Ngoc Long

Rest your eyes after each segment of the journey

After each segment of a long drive, instead of checking messages or browsing online, which forces the eyes to continue adjusting to a near distance, travelers should use this time to hydrate and gaze into the distance. This not only allows the eyes to truly relax and reduces overall fatigue but also maintains good vision for the subsequent journey.

Use artificial tears for dry, irritated eyes

When exposed to wind, dust, or air conditioning for extended periods, eyes can become dry and uncomfortable. Preservative-free artificial tears can replenish moisture to the eye surface. If frequent application is needed, if you have an existing eye condition, or if symptoms persist, it is advisable to consult a doctor or pharmacist to select an appropriate product.

Doctor Tien also mentioned that, in addition to the above measures, certain natural extracts like broccophane, derived from broccoli sprouts and rich in sulforaphane, have been studied for their ability to support the eye's endogenous antioxidant system. Sulforaphane can stimulate the production of thioredoxin, a protein involved in protecting cells from oxidative stress, thereby supporting the protection of retinal pigment epithelial cells and the lens.

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