Contact lenses or eye glasses?

[Aesklepius]

Well....it is just two weeks before I leave home, planning to start walking from St Jean Pied-de-Port on April 14 or 15. I've not found a related thread (forgive me if I missed it), but have still not decided on whether to use my contact lenses (prefer the clarity of vision and comfort/ease while being active, yet have to carry or find cleaning solutions and maintain daily) or my prescription eyeglasses (not so convenient in bad weather, but otherwise lower maintenance, expensive to replace if lost or broken)... . Any advice or comments from those with experiences relating to contact lenses? Thanks.

 

[Mark Lee]

I wore contact lenses everyday on the Camino. Carried two sets and two of the small bottles of solution. Those two little bottles lasted 30-35 days on the Camino. Never had any problems. Also carried a small bottle of re-wetting drops. All the albergues have sinks and mirrors for removing or putting them in. Wake up a bit earlier to avoid the sink rush in the albergues in the morning. That is, if the albergue is crowded.
I also carried two pairs of glasses. One regular and one prescription sunglasses. Wore those at night before I went to sleep and in the event I lost the contacts or just wanted to give my eyes a break from them. I like the contacts because they give me peripheral vision and I don;t have to worry about fogged up glasses if it rains.

 

[GreatDane]

I wore contact lenses everyday on the Camino.

Me too nearly exactly except no prescription sunglasses. Never had problems fighting for space at sinks. Did however made sure that I completely blocked the drain with a washcloth, bandana or paper towel!!!

 

[Dave2525]

I had both. Contacts for the most part but glasses in the evening or early morning. Fortunately I didn't need mirrors for putting them in or taking out.

 

[luvtraveling]

I wore my contacts during the day and switched to my glasses before showering. Due to a recent eye infection, next time I plan to take daily contacts. I don't know what the weight difference will be, but peace of mind is more important with regards to eye care.

Denise

 

[Miguel de Flandes]

I won't be taking my contacts when I start walking next september. I normally wear one day contacts, and a full 6 weeks set would not be too heavy. However, I would also need sunglasses, and prescription glasses for when not wearing contacts (in order to survive the trip to/from the bathroom) and spare prescription glasses (honestly, I'd rather loose a passport than my glasses...)

So, i'll be cutting the weight of 6 weeks' lenses nd sunglasses, and only take 2 pairs of prescription glasses (wearing 1, carrying 1 next to my passport...)

Buen Camino
Michael

 

[dalstonmarra]

Get yourself Monthly lenses.You will not need to remove them at all for 1 month minimum.I have used them for years and they are so convenient

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I only carry a pair of Transition lenses glasses. I actually had them made exatly for that purpose: the Camino, although I wear them daily. It saves you from having to carry sunglasses as well. When it's chilly in the morning and I am huffing and puffing I am not a happy camper as they fog up and I cannot see where I am going, where I am stepping, and also when there's a mild drizzle and I would prefer not to take put my umbrella. But luckly that has only occured on a small fraction of the time I have walked. I may consider bring a few pairs of dailies, that come in their own solution, for days that will be nothing but rain.

 

[Kiwi-d]

I took daily disposables, plus not one but two pairs each of reading and distance glasses (cheap ones) and was glad I did as they didn't stand up too well to being squashed in a pack. The monthly lenses would have been ideal, but unfortunately I can't use them.