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Air travel is one of the great conveniences of modern life, but it comes with trade-offs.
While most people are aware of jet lag or cabin pressure, very few consider the toll flying takes on one of the most essential tools for navigating the world, the eyes.
As an Optometrist and Healthcare Transformation Leader with over two decades of clinical, policy, and systems-level experience, I’ve come to understand that true wellness isn’t reactive, it’s proactive. It’s about anticipating the points where discomfort, disruption, or dysfunction may arise and addressing them intelligently.
In my work at the intersection of eye care delivery, health system design, and innovation, I’ve had the privilege of supporting thousands of patients, including frequent flyers, pilots, cabin crew, and corporate executives, who present with symptoms directly linked to air travel. From complaints of dry eyes and blurred vision to contact lens discomfort and in-flight eye strain, the patterns are consistent and predictable. And, importantly, they are preventable.
Beyond the consulting room, I speak from experience. I’m also a travel enthusiast, who has covered significant mileage across continents, both professionally and personally. From attending global industry conferences to leading outreach programs across Nigeria and abroad, I’ve observed firsthand how environmental changes in flight settings affect vision. My own travel experiences have sharpened my ability to identify subtle yet impactful issues many overlook, and translate that insight into everyday solutions.
Whether I’m designing systems to expand access to quality eye care or mentoring healthcare entrepreneurs, communication and clarity are at the core of how I lead. And that includes making health information practical, relatable, and actionable, especially for mobile, fast-paced lifestyles.
So let’s break this down. Why do your eyes feel tired on a plane, and more importantly, what can you do about it?
Practical Tips for Protecting Your Eyes on a Plane.
1. The Cabin is Drier than the Desert
Airplane cabins often maintain humidity levels as low as 10 to 20 percent, which is lower than that of most deserts. At this level, the tear film (the protective liquid layer covering the eye) evaporates quickly, leaving the eyes dry, irritated, and fatigued.Â
What helps:
✔ Use preservative-free lubricating eye drops
✔ Drink water often, skip the coffee or wine
✔ Avoid direct air from the overhead vent
2. Screens Are Everywhere, and Hard to Avoid
In flight entertainment, smartphones, and tablets, we are all glued to screens while flying. However, an extended screen time reduces the blink rate, which dries the eyes out even faster and causes digital eye strain.
What helps:
✔ Follow the 20-20-20 rule, every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds
✔ Blink intentionally and often
✔ Use blue-light blocking glasses or adjust screen brightness
3. Lack of Sleep Drains Your Eyes Too
Poor rest before a flight or inability to sleep during flight leads to heavy, irritated eyes. Jet lag only compounds the problem.
What helps:
✔ Rest well before your trip
✔ Use an eye mask and noise-cancelling headphones
✔ Step away from screens 30 minutes before sleeping
4. Flying with Contact Lenses, Rethink That
Contact lenses dry out quickly at cruising altitudes, increasing the risk of irritation or infection, particularly on longer flights.
What helps:
✔ Switch to glasses for the flight
✔ If wearing contacts, keep rewetting drops close
✔ Choose moisture-retaining lenses and avoid long wear
5. Cabin Pressure and Eye Strain
Cabins are pressurized to mimic high altitudes, which subtly affect the blood flow to the eyes and add to the sensation of heaviness or blur.
What helps:
✔ Stay hydrated and well-rested
✔ Avoid alcohol or caffeine, which dry and constrict
✔ Do gentle eye exercises mid-flight
6. Cabin Lighting and Glare
Harsh lighting and window glare can strain the eyes, particularly when paired with screens.
What helps:
✔ Use an eye mask or UV-protective sunglasses
✔ Adjust screen brightness to match your surroundings
✔ Sit away from direct light sources when possible
A Final Word
Your eyes work as hard as your passport when traveling. Treat them like a priority, not an afterthought.
At The Eye Place, we know how small changes make a big difference, not just in comfort but also in long-term vision health. This is an invitation to fly better, see better, and live sharpers.
Next time you fly, do not just check your boarding pass. Check in with your eyes.
Dr. Ugonna Nwigwe OD, MPH, HMP, BAF, PMP
Optometrist | Founder, The Eye Place Nigeria | Healthcare Transformation Leader
ugonna.n@theeyeplaceng.com
www.theeyeplaceng.com | www.ugonnanwigwe.com
