Here’s the thing about natural disasters: You can’t control when they happen. But you can control how prepared you are for them. 

Experts recommend stocking up on supplies such as bottled water, nonperishable foods, and batteries, among other necessities. Those are all important items to pack in an emergency safety kit. But have you ever thought about what your eyes might need in the midst of a natural disaster? 

If you haven’t, you’re not alone. Eye care is something most people don’t think about when preparing for a natural disaster, says Jeff Foster, O.D., an optometrist at EyeCare-Pro in San Antonio, Texas, which is affiliated with America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses.   

If there’s one organization that is thinking about vision needs during emergencies, it’s the United States military, says Dr. Foster. He completed some of his optometric training on a military base. “Whether you wear contacts or glasses, the military requires you to have your prescription in a gas mask insert so that you’re prepared,” he says. 

Hopefully you won’t have to wear a gas mask in your future. But if you want to be properly prepared for anything nature throws your way, follow these safety strategies. 

Have questions about your eye health or vision? Your America’s Best optometrist is here to help. Click here to find an exam time that fits your schedule. 

Get a Backup Pair of Glasses 

This tip is helpful even on a regular day, but it becomes even more essential if you’re living through a natural disaster. During a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake, your glasses could get hit with debris and break. And it’s unlikely you’ll be able to swing by your optometrist’s office to order a replacement pair. Plan ahead and buy a backup pair of eyeglasses now. 

Taking advantage of America’s Best two-pair offer can help you save money. When you buy two pairs of eyeglasses, your eye exam is free. That way, you’ll always have a spare pair handy. 

Get a Copy of Your Prescription 

If you do need to get new glasses or contact lenses, having your prescription can make it easier to get replacements, especially if your optometrist’s office is closed because of a disaster. 

“As long as your prescription isn’t expired, you can go anywhere to get new glasses or contact lenses,” says Dr. Foster. Prescriptions are generally good for a year or two, but state laws vary.  

You can even order contacts online with a valid prescription. Call your optometrist to ask how to get a copy of your prescription — and, if necessary, schedule an eye exam to get it updated. It’s also wise to keep your eye doctor’s phone number in your contact list for any vision and eye-health questions that may arise. 

Stock Up on Contact Lenses 

Add contacts to the list of essentials you should make sure you’re up to date with. “You don’t want to be in an emergency situation and have to wear the same contact lenses for long periods,” says Dr. Foster. That could set you up for irritation and eye infections.  

If you’re wearing monthly disposables, you’re typically allowed to buy four boxes a year, with each box containing a six-month supply. 

Regardless of what type of contact lens you’re wearing now, having some daily disposables on hand can help if you get into a jam. They contain enough for 90 days and don’t expire for three to four years, says Dr. Foster. You’ll need to act ahead of time and ask your eye doctor if you’re a candidate for both types of contacts. 

Another caveat is that your prescription may have changed by the time you’re ready to wear the disposables. But having some with an older prescription is better than having none, he adds. 

Of course, you can’t just walk into your optometrist’s office and buy these. By law, contact lens prescriptions include specific brands. Make sure you call your eye doctor first and let them know you’d like to order a new supply of contact lenses. 

Know Which Disasters Are Most Likely in Your Region 

Some types of natural disasters only happen in certain regions of the country. A landlocked Midwest state isn’t likely to experience a hurricane, for example. And tornadoes are less likely to touch down in mountainous states. To best prepare, it’s important to know which ones are most likely to happen in your area. 

Here are the natural disasters most likely to hit each region, according to the American Red Cross: 

• All regions: Floods, heat waves, thunderstorms, lightning strikes, and windstorms 
• West (Pacific): Earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes (Hawaii), volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslides 
• West (Mountain): Earthquakes, wildfires, winter storms 
• Midwest: Tornados, earthquakes (Ilinois, Missouri), wildfires (North Dakota, South Dakota)  
• South and Southeast: Tornados, landslides (Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia), earthquakes (Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri), hurricanes 
• Mid-Atlantic and New England: Hurricanes, winter storms 

Some disasters can still affect you even if they don’t happen anywhere near you. For instance, the wind can carry wildfire smoke across the country into other states. That’s why you need to be prepared for anything. 

Here are a few to consider: 

• Wildfire zone. Keep some artificial tears on hand to relieve dry eyes, Dr. Foster says. You could even keep them in the refrigerator for cool, soothing relief. Also, stay inside as much as possible and run an air purifier in your home to filter out irritating smoke. 
   
• Hurricane, tornado, and flood zones. Get yourself a pair of prescription safety glasses or goggles to protect against flying debris and dust. You may not have time to put them on in the moment, but they can be valuable in the aftermath and cleanup. 
   
• Flood zone. Eye wash will come in handy if you need to flush contaminated flood water out of your eyes. 

Pack Your Eye Essentials 

Having backup eyeglasses and enough contact lenses is just the start. You also should make sure you’ve stocked up on the other eye care essentials you reach for on a regular basis, such as: 

• Artificial tears, for dry eye or eye allergies 
• Extra contact lens or eyeglass cases 
• Extra contact lens solution 
• Eyeglass cleaning spray and a microfiber cloth 
• Rewetting drops for contact lenses 

Keep them together in one easy-to-reach place, so you can grab them quickly if ordered to evacuate. 

Have a Plan for Your Prescription Eye Medications 

Because medications have expiration dates, you can’t stock up on them. But when you’re prescribed medication for an eye condition, you often have a few refills available to you. It’s a good idea to pack a small supply in your emergency kit, says Dr. Foster.  

The website Ready.gov, a national public service campaign to help people prepare for emergencies, recommends creating this kit for your home, work, and car. After all, you never know where you’ll be when a disaster strikes. Make sure you update your kit every year, in case your eye care needs have changed. 

Medically reviewed by Jeff Foster, O.D. 

See our sources: 
What to pack in an emergency supply kit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
Building an emergency kit: Ready.gov 
What to do when smoke gets in your eyes: American Academy of Ophthalmology 
Natural disasters by region: American Red Cross