Island trip packing list for glasses wearers: Palawan, Siargao and Boracay

You have booked the flight, the resort and the island-hopping tour. Now check your glasses. Strong sun, salt air, sand and boat spray are tougher on eyewear and on eyes than a normal week in the city. Here is a practical list to run through before you pack.

Before you travel

1. Check your prescription date. If your last exam was a year or more ago, book a Vision7 exam before the trip. Being unable to see clearly in an unfamiliar place is a bad way to spend a holiday.
2. Check the fit. Loose temples slip when you sweat or lean over a boat rail. Drop in for a free custom fitting and adjustment.
3. Get a clean start. Free lifetime ultrasonic cleaning removes the film that makes lenses smear. Do it a few days before you go.
4. Order any new lens early. A 1 to 2 day lens still needs time. Tokai lenses take 10 to 12 days. Plan around lead times.

Choosing the lens for the sun

You have two named options for everyday glasses that adapt to light:

• Essilor Transitions Classic HMC 1.56. Photochromic. Ready in 1 to 2 days.
• Essilor Photochromic Elements White 1.56. Photochromic, for single vision or progressive. Ready in 1 to 2 days.

Photochromic lenses react to UV light. They are clear indoors and darken outdoors. How dark they get depends on conditions, so do not treat them as a full replacement for good sunglasses on a bright boat deck.

If you want prescription sunglasses

Polarized lenses reduce glare off water and wet surfaces. For single vision, the team orders Shamir Opulens Exact in polarized. For progressives, custom-made lenses such as the Shamir Autograph range and Essilor Varilux XR can be ordered polarized. Polarized lenses can make some phone and camera screens look dim, so test your phone before you decide.

The impact resistance gap

This is the part we want to be direct about. Island trips often include jet skis, snorkelling gear, kayaks and rough boat rides. Our lens menu does not confirm a named impact-resistant line. We will not make up one. If protection from knocks matters to you, ask the team about the toughest material for your frame before you buy. They will tell you what is possible and what is not.

What to pack

• Your everyday glasses and a spare pair if you can.
• A hard case. A soft pouch does not protect against a heavy bag.
• A microfibre cloth. Not your shirt, which carries sand and scratches lenses.
• A copy of your prescription, on your phone and on paper.
• A strap or cord if you will be on boats or in the surf.
• Your warranty details. Keep them in a place you can reach.

Caring for glasses at the beach

1. Rinse sandy lenses with fresh water before wiping. Dry wiping drags grit across the surface.
2. Keep glasses out of a hot car or a sunlit dashboard.
3. Do not leave them face down on a towel or sand.
4. Take them off before swimming unless they are made for it.
5. Dry them and store them in the case at the end of every day.

Protect your eyes, not only your lenses

Bright reflected light off sand and water is hard on the eyes. A cap with a brim helps. UV exposure over many years matters for eye health, which is why a lens that handles UV and sunglasses with proper UV protection are worth having. If your eyes feel painful, red or very light-sensitive after a day in the sun, see a doctor rather than waiting it out.

What if something breaks?

Your glasses come with a 1-year warranty, and the team can check what applies when you return. Free lifetime custom fitting and adjustment also helps if a frame bends in a bag. On the road, a spare pair is the most useful backup. Keep your prescription handy in case you need a replacement in another city.

Book your Vision7 eye test

Book a Vision7 eye test at your nearest Vision Express store before you travel. The seven-step exam confirms your prescription is current, so the glasses you pack are the ones you need. Then ask for Essilor Transitions Classic HMC 1.56 at the counter for a pair that adapts from indoor shade to island sun, ready in 1 to 2 days. For a sunglass pair with glare control, ask about Shamir Opulens Exact in polarized. Every pair includes free lifetime ultrasonic cleaning, free lifetime custom fitting and adjustment, and a 1-year warranty.