Vacation Travel By Car Problems, Need Suggestions To Control Dryness!

[msny]

So that time again is upon us for a summer vacation.

The past few years we've been flying to our spot, then
use travel buses or cabs to get around. When we go to Vegas
it's easy to walk it or cab it.

This year the family wants me to drive about 350 miles, a 5 to 6
hour drive to Niagria Falls, Canada and back home.

My Dry Eye is controlable as long as I use my gel filled
heat compress or rice baggy for at least 5 minutes, 2 to 3 times
a day. I then follow up after a heat treatment with either Restasis,
Oasis Tears Plus (I have to wait after using these, they make my
eyes very blurry), or Systane Balance (no bluryness). I may also take
a few hits of Sysane Balance between heat sessions. My thinking is
because of the sun, heat and air conditioning it may be even worst
in the car.

I plan on taking my heating pad, which I have found on past
vacations as a decent substitute for my gel pad to use in the
hotel room. This does the trick when I have no ready microwave
available.

So my question here comes down to the actual driving time
and not being able to use a heated gel pad or baggie. I'm afraid my eyes
will become so dry and blurry that I won't be able to see clearly to drive.
My wife drives, but is afraid of expressways and has almost
no experience driving them. I hate the fact that Dry Eye trys to limit
my life this way.

How can I get some kind of heat on my eyes equal to a gel pad
or baggie when I pull off the road for a break?

Do they make small microwaves that plug into a car?

Suggestions appreciated please.

[msny]

I did find this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCvYbz_KdvU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&fe...&v=psoLkihnVxA

A microwave I can plug into the car.

[PotatoCakes]

I bought a pair of prescription swim goggles to wear. They work pretty well but I think I need to drill some tiny holes in the sides since they get foggy.

[pecan121]

You didn't mention what kind of eye wear you use. I find that a snug fitting pair of moisture chamber goggles, such as the Wiley X are helpful. I have both the amber and dark grey ones.

[Súil Eile]

Have you considered using something like this ? You might have to be careful about how hot they heat up though. I'm sure you could wrap them in a cloth to insulate them.

I bought a small humidifier and stuck it to the dashboard of my car. It's powered through the cigarette lighter and it's invaluable on long journeys. I bought it off Amazon. They have more types of mini ones available now than when I bought mine so you might find a better version. I've put all parts (except the motor) through the dishwasher a few times now so it's easy to clean too.

On a side note, how do you cope in Vegas? I always imagined it would be the worst holiday to take with dry eye, with all the dry heat outside and the air conditioning inside!

[msny]

Have you considered using something like this ? You might have to be careful about how hot they heat up though. I'm sure you could wrap them in a cloth to insulate them.

I bought a small humidifier and stuck it to the dashboard of my car. It's powered through the cigarette lighter and it's invaluable on long journeys. I bought it off Amazon. They have more types of mini ones available now than when I bought mine so you might find a better version. I've put all parts (except the motor) through the dishwasher a few times now so it's easy to clean too.

On a side note, how do you cope in Vegas? I always imagined it would be the worst holiday to take with dry eye, with all the dry heat outside and the air conditioning inside!

I will look into that humidifier and the hand warmers. What great ideas!

Been to Vegas 4 times since I've had my Dry Eye since 2001. Usually when I'm there if I stay inside
I can manage the Dry Eye. I stay away from cooling vents and do lot of drops I'm OK. I also go
back to my room and do a heating pad a lot more often when I'm there. Things even out

But ya the sun is a killer for my eyes.

[msny]

You didn't mention what kind of eye wear you use. I find that a snug fitting pair of moisture chamber goggles, such as the Wiley X are helpful. I have both the amber and dark grey ones.

I wear glasses with prisms in them for double vision issues. After my 2001 surgery for a
retinal detachment I got both double vision and severe dry eye.

I usually wear a Lens Crafters wrap around sunglasses, that have edges that seal out most
of the air and sunlight.

So I'm open to anything.

Would those googles work over glasses and not interfere with driving?