And even better than the bottle of droplets are the individually sealed single use ampules of refresher drops.

I have been wearing contact lenses for almost 20 years now..since I started flying in college. With the advances in lens technology, they are more comfortable today then ever before and less prone to drying out.

My doctor fitted me with the latest lens a couple of years ago...Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear by Johnson and Johnson. These are by far the most comfortable lenses I have ever worn in all my years of using contacts. They have been specially designed to increase moisture retention to prevent drying out. That makes them perfect for the dryer air environment pilots experience on a daily basis. Previous lenses I have had to use drops to rewet them during the day. However, these lenses rarely require the use of drops (at least for me). The only time I have found myself using rewetting drops has been at the end of a very long duty/flight day of around 14-16 hours (that never happens at the airlines does it??? LOL). I have an astigmatism in one of my eyes and there are special Oasys lenses for that condition as well. They are good for two weeks and are taken out each night to be cleaned and stored.

Hope this helps. I certainly would recommend talking to your doctor and asking about these lenses specifically.

If you have not been to an eye doc in the last 6 months go get fitted and let him know you are a pilot. If you can, find an eye doc that is a pilot. I got my new contacts and they tuned me into 20/15 with astigmatism's and got me a different type lens that retains its moisture longer than an average lens.

I would also recommend monthly disposables instead of 2 week. They are a bit tougher plastic and last a bit longer.

All things to consider so that is why I say see your doc first.

I didn't see EWR's post ^^^ I second what he said.

And make sure you go to a doc that will get you properly fitted for contacts. The fit is the most important part especially with astigmatism. If they don't fit, you'll be forever fighting the POS things, making multiple trips to the eye doc, and may finally give up having wasted a bunch of money on it.

Get contacts. Carry a pair of prescription glasses.

Glasses are a real pain for everyday wear. Work hard and sweat.. glasses fog. Exercise and the glasses are a pain.

Contacts. Short of lasik (or whatever the latest) it is the best solution.

Thanks guys for the advice, I will make an appointment ASAP.
This is the only thing that scares me however: YouTube - Parasites Infect Contact Lens Wearers
But I guess its not a problem with disposable contacts.

You preflight an airplane, leap into the sky and move around at high speed over hard surfaces which, if you are negligent can cause grievous harm.. and you are worried about parasites? Don't fly...

Yes, but you can see the ground, unlike microscopic parasites
Either way, I will get contacts and see how I like e'm. Prescription sunglasses are expensive as hell and I really want to be able to see and still wear my oakley's

Attention to detail will keep your lenses clean and your airplane properly preflighted. And yes, prescript-sun glasses are VERY expensive.