This is a response to the How We Will See the World post
After much debate and consideration, Justin and I have decided to go with Focus Dailies (one-day contact lenses).
There is great appeal to the ease and flexibility of daily wear contact lenses. We enjoyed being able to pop them in without solution. While wearing them I could see very well, my night vision especially improved. And then ending the day was a breeze; pop them out anywhere no need for a case or solution. Just throw them away!
The only problem we experienced was dryness. Which can easily be combated by bringing eye drops.
Overall, we are glad that we attempted to trial daily wear lenses. Otherwise, we would always wonder if they could have made our trip easier. We hope they will prove to be the right choice.
Are you backpacking? Are you not? Do you wear glasses? Contact lenses? Nothing? Sunglasses? 
How do you see the world?
Thanks for the comment on my blog.
My only concern would be that a one year supply of Focus Dailies is a lot of bulk (720 contact lenses packaged in 8 bigger boxes), and I know backpackers usually like to go lean since space is at a premium.
On the other hand, being in a foreign country and uncertain of healthcare availability, you want your eyes to be as healthy as possible to avoid eye infections/allergy eyes, etc, and single use lenses are arguably the healthiest.
You could have gone with a two week lens that you actually replace every two weeks. Maybe I’d make it a high oxygen lens that you can sleep in sometimes like Acuvue Oasys. But then you would have to buy solution…so that would take up bulk in your pack.
Maybe you could have gone with the Focus Night and Day and just sleep in the darn things and not take them out for one month. That way you could avoid the bulk of contact lens solution and just have a small sample bottle when needed once or twice a month. But then if you are going to be swimming in lakes or streams, that could be a risk for infection while wearing contacts that you sleep in.
It’s all a compromise. No one right answer either.
Dr. David Langford Thank you so much. Your background and knowledge offer a much needed expert perspective for backpackers.
You are absolutely right about the space the daily wear lenses would take up in our backpacks. To combat some of that Justin and I have decided to only order a 6 month supply. That way we cut the space of a one year supply in half.
It will be interesting to see how the first 6 months or so treat us. As we begin to run out of contacts Justin and I will have to decide what’s next. Your suggestions on the “Acuvue Oasys” lenses and the “Night & Day” lenses will definately be taken into consideration.
Thanks so much again for taking the time to offer us some alternative options we had not considered. As we travel, we will keep everyone informed on how the Focus Dailies work out.
Thanks for your advice on how to see the world!
The picture of your eyes is awesome!
I also use contacts and need to decide what I am bringing backpacking. Thanks for the advice!
Hi.
I discovered that there was a scandal a few years ago involving Johnson & Johnson’s Acuvue lenses. Basically it turned out that their daily contact lenses were the same as their two week and monthly contact lenses. The only difference was that the two week and monthly contact lenses were a lot more expensive.
After reading about this, I gave the Acuvues a try. I bought daily contact lenses and change them every other month. Naturally, I take them out every night and use a Clear Care like fizz product to decontaminate them. Finding contact lens products in Asia isn’t a problem, if you were wondering.
found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later ..