- Be prepared. Take along a copy of your eyeglass prescription as well as an old pair of back-up eyeglasses. If you lose your glasses, you will be able to hand over your prescription to any optician and have a new pair made. (Your back-up glasses will come in handy while looking for an optician.) If you wear contact lenses, pack extra cleaning solution as well as extra contact lenses. You may need them...think unexpected delays, layovers, extended stays, etc. Always bring your back-up eyeglasses with you as well. If you develop an eye infection, you won't be able to wear contacts. At least you will have some type of corrective eyewear with you.
- Stay in touch. Ask your eye doctor for a business card to keep in your wallet. If something happens to your eyes, at the very least, your hometown eye doctor will have your past records of examinations and eyeglass orders. Again, prepare for the unexpected.
- Call home. If you develop an eye infection, the first thing you should do is call your hometown eye doctor. Depending on the severity of the infection, he may be able to consult with you over the phone and call in eye medication prescriptions to a nearby pharmacy. It's much easier to find a drug store in a new city than an eye doctor.
- Get help if you need it. If you think you need to see a doctor, you probably do. Consult the local phone book or internet and search for eye doctors in the area. Or ask friends or family in the area (if applicable) who they recommend. You will most likely be able to find one that accepts your insurance and can see you quickly to solve your problem. If you feel you have a true emergency, go to the local emergency room or urgent care clinic. Don’t put it off until you get home, as time may be of the essence. For example, a retinal detachment is a true medical eye emergency that needs urgent attention. The longer you wait, the better the chances are for an undesirable outcome.
Source:
Cullom, R. Douglas, Benjamin Chang. The Wills Eye Manual, Office and Emergency Room Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Disease, Second Edition, Copyright 1994 by JB Lippincott Company. Pp 97-102.
