Going camping is one of everyone’s favorite activities. In fact, a report for Statista shows that over 50 million Americans went on camping trips in 2020 and 2024. The report also shows that people preferred camping in tents compared to RVs during this time.

Camping has something magical about being away from everyday stress and having the opportunity to connect with nature. But with astigmatism vision issues, one must be careful when planning a camping trip. Thus, here are some tips for making sure your next getaway doesn’t leave you in the wilderness feeling uncomfortable or annoyed:

Choose Your Camping Destination Carefully.

When you’re choosing a camping destination, make sure that it has the following features:

Flat and smooth: The best campsites are flat and smooth. You can get around without tripping over any rocks or trees.
Well-lit: Your eyes will thank you if your campsite is well-lit at night. It will allow you to find things in the dark without using a flashlight or lantern.
Close to town: It’s important for your safety and convenience that your campground is close enough to a city. It ensures that there are stores nearby where you can buy food, water, batteries, etc. At the same time, it should be far enough away from city hassles so that you don’t bother with noise pollution at night when everyone’s asleep.

Good facilities: The best campgrounds have bathrooms, showers, and laundry machines. It will make your life easier while you’re camping so that you don’t have to worry about going home to shower every day.

Plan Ahead, If You Want Hunting During a Camping Trip

As a person with astigmatism, you may be interested in hunting during your camping trip. Many people do like to hunt for sport or food at campsites. However, it is important to consider whether this activity is safe for people with vision issues like astigmatism.
If you want to hunt during your camping trip and have been diagnosed with astigmatism vision issues, there are some things that you can do to make sure that hunting is safe for you:

Buy an astigmatism shooting scope for your rifle so that it will be easier to aim at targets from a greater distance away. The scope offers a clear view of the target and has little glare or distortion. In addition, the lenses are designed to reduce the effects of astigmatism, which can be a problem for some shooters who find their sightlines are not as accurate as they should be.

Try wearing glasses when shooting animals because they give more protection against the light coming in from the side.
Make sure that other members of your group know about any safety precautions they need when using firearms around someone diagnosed with these types of vision issues.

Consider the Time of Year for Your Trip

The time of year you choose camping will also impact your experience. Summer camping is better than winter because the weather is generally more pleasant, and it’s easier to find campsites near water sources. If you plan on desert camping, do so in the summer when there isn’t as much sand blowing around.

If you’re hiking or spending a lot of time in higher altitudes, consider bringing sunglasses with UV protection. The light can be very bright in these areas, and you don’t want glare from snow reflecting off snow or ice, making it harder for your eyes to focus on what’s ahead of you.

Know What Kind of Glasses or Contact Lenses to Bring with You

The Vision Council of America reports that around 75.6% of Americans wear vision correction glasses, which accounts for approximately 197.6 million users. At the same time, around 63.7% of these users wear prescription glasses, i.e., around 166.5 million American adults.

If you wear glasses and/or contacts, bring a backup pair. If you lose or break your glasses or contacts, it’s nice to have something else to put on.

Also, if your vision changes while camping, usually when it is darker at night, it can be helpful to have a second pair of glasses or contacts on hand. It will help in case one is not strong enough for nighttime activities like stargazing.

It’s also smart for people with astigmatism vision issues to bring along an extra set of backup glasses or contact lenses just in case there’s an emergency where they need their vision checked out by an optometrist quickly.

Plan Ahead for Potential Vision Difficulties

The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that every 1 in 3 people in America has astigmatism vision issues. While over 150 million people in the US wear prescription glasses, approximately 37 million prefer wearing contact lenses.

The figures above show that many people in the US have vision issues. Thus, you want to be prepared for any situation, so it’s best to bring a backup pair for each type of vision correction.

Glasses: You should always keep a spare pair with you, just in case something happens to your main pair. You don’t want to be stuck without the ability to see clearly if you lose your glasses at camp.
Contact lenses: If you wear contact lenses and plan on doing any swimming or water sports while camping, ensure that someone can take care of them if they get lost or damaged.

Sunglasses: Even if your astigmatism is minor enough that you don’t need prescription sunglasses, consider bringing some anyway. You never know when it might rain or snow unexpectedly.

Plan Your Meals in Advance

Planning your meals is essential. Not only will you have a better chance of enjoying the food, but it also makes sense to bring foods that are easy to prepare and eat. It’s also important not to forget utensils, plates, and a can opener. Finally, if you’re worried about keeping your food cold for an extended period, bring a cooler with you.

If you’re going to be gone for more than one day, you may want to bring some snacks. However, it’s important not to overindulge in these, as they can lead to bloating and upset stomachs.

Always Have a Backup Pair of Glasses or Contacts

You should always have a backup pair of glasses or contacts. You should always have a backup plan. When you go camping, many things can go wrong, and if your vision suddenly starts acting up while you’re out in the wilderness, it’s best to have a backup pair nearby.

If you’re relying on contacts, keep them in their case and store them with your tablet battery charger, this way, they won’t dry out. If you are wearing glasses, bring an extra pair along with contact solution and/or eye drops in case one gets lost or damaged on your trip.

Proper Planning Ensures Camping with Astigmatism Can Be Fun.

Camping with astigmatism is possible, but it requires careful planning and consideration.

Don’t wait until the last minute to figure out how you will deal with your eyesight issues. You should read up on what kind of glasses or contact lenses you need to bring with you and how much food you will need in case your vision worsens while camping.

While planning a camping trip, consider what will work best for your vision needs and what activities might present difficulties. These considerations will help ensure that your adventure isn’t just another day at home.