The optician Feel Good Contacts has warned tourists that a popular travel accessory could lead to serious eye damage.

With many popular holiday destinations taking several hours to reach by flight, some tourists like to wear an eye mask to help them get some sleep on the way.

However, Khuram Sarwar, dispensing optician at Feel Good Contacts, warned that they must be cleaned regularly to prevent infections.

She advised: “Eye masks are great solutions if you’re struggling to sleep with studies suggesting the darker your sleep environment, the better you sleep. The darkness created by an eye mask can help your body promote more melatonin, improve your sleep patterns, and feel more relaxed.

“However, eye masks will pick up bacteria, dirt, makeup, natural oils and sweat if they are not washed or replaced regularly, which many cause eye infections.”

A common accessory for helping tourists get to sleep in an unfamiliar environment, holidaymakers should regularly wash eyemasks to avoid getting infections.

The company noted that tourists should use an eye mask that features breathable fabric that is easier to wash and comfortable to wear.

Feel Good Contacts recommended that tourists who feel any pain when wearing an eye mask, or find any residue on it when taking it off, thye should stop using it immediately and consult their optician.

In addition, Khuram reminded tourists that they should avoid wearing a mask that is too tight, which may put too much pressure on their eyes.

She added: “It’s also important that you choose a well-fitted eye mask that isn’t too tight in order to protect your eyes from long-term damage.

“A tightly-fitted eye mask can cause too much pressure on your eyes, distorting your corneas and accelerating the progression of pressure-sensitive eye disease.”

The company warned that tight eye masks prevent tears from lubricating the eyes, making them dry and prone to damage over time.

To prevent this, holidaymakers should wear a mask that features contours which prevent it from applying too much force to the eyes.

Some of these masks also feature additional padding, making them more comfortable to wear and heating the area to stimulate tear production and avoid dryness.