Concerned about bringing contacts on a plane? We get it—packing for a trip can feel a little overwhelming, especially if you’re heading overseas or will be somewhere for an extended period of time.
Your travels may bring you to a place where it’s not so easy to find a store on every corner selling exactly what you need. Sometimes your things end up lost or damaged; other times, you’ll forget them at home altogether (which can be a pain when the items in question are the ones you need to see clearly every day.)
Luckily, traveling with contact lenses isn’t complicated at all. But it is helpful to be aware of certain security regulations. This handy guide will fill you in on those, and we’ll also lay out some helpful tips for packing and wearing contacts on a plane.
Security Regulations for Bringing Contacts on a Plane
Before we get to our general travel tips for contact lens wearers, let’s look at some common questions surrounding security regulations for bringing contacts on a flight.
Can You Bring Contact Solution on a Plane?
Yep! You can bring contact solution on a plane. It can be carried on or placed in a checked bag. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), contact lens solution is considered a medically necessary liquid. This means that you may bring solution in amounts larger than the standard 3.4 ounces allowed for liquids—you just need to let them know at the security screening checkpoint.
There’s a “but” to be aware of, though: Some contact lens solutions contain chemicals that may trigger the security alarm, and oversized bottles that set off the alarm might not be allowed through security. Because of this, TSA suggests that contact lens solution bottles over 3.4 ounces go in checked luggage—if you’d prefer the convenience of a travel-size bottle, you can typically find one at any drugstore or big box store.
Can You Bring Contacts on a Plane?
Yes, contact lenses can be brought with you in your carry-on bag or packed in checked luggage. This is true whether they’re daily lenses in blister packs or bi-weekly or monthly lenses in a contact lens case.
Now that we’ve looked closer at security regulations, you know that you can bring contacts and solution on a plane. But that doesn’t cover the how. So, we’ve put together some helpful tips.
1. Keep Contacts and Solution Separate From Other Liquids
Since you’ll be declaring contact lens solution (over 3.4 ounces) and accessories at the security checkpoint, you’ll need to have it separated from any other liquids in your bag. In other words, it doesn’t need to go in your quart-size liquids bag. Keeping your contacts and solution in a separate, labeled bag makes it easy to pull them out for inspection.
2. Pack Extra Contact Lenses
If you wear daily disposable lenses, be sure to not only pack enough for your whole trip, but also bring along extra. If you wear bi-weeklies or monthlies, bring an extra pair. You never know—a lens could tear, leaving you in need of an extra pair, or you may end up needing to extend your stay.
3. Be Prepared to Remove Your Contacts
If you’re wearing your contacts on the flight, prepare for the option to take them out if you need to. If you wear dailies, have an extra pair in your bag. Otherwise, have your contact lens case with some solution in your bag. And don’t forget to pack your glasses as backup.
Some contact lens wearers have issues with the dry air in planes and prefer to wear their glasses. There’s also always a chance you could find yourself separated from your checked luggage upon arrival—yet another reason to have some form of backup in your carry-on bag.
If you’ll be sleeping on the flight, remember to remove your contacts before dozing off.
4. Pack Your Prescription
It never hurts to have your prescription handy on a trip. In the event that you need to buy more contacts on your trip, having your prescription available will make things easier. (A digital copy will work in most cases!)
5. Take Steps To Prevent Liquid Leaks
As is the case with any liquids, it’s a good idea to put your contact solution in a sealed bag. That way, if the bottle leaks in flight, the solution won’t drench all of your stuff.
Did you know that the less full a bottle of liquid is, the more likely it is to leak on a flight? It’s the extra air in the bottle that expands with pressure changes and causes the bottle to leak. You can try squeezing any air out of your contact solution bottle before packing it—as this may help prevent leaks.
Happy Travels!
Contacts are a medical device, so there’s no need to worry about your ability to bring them along on your travels. Your destination is in sight! Just take the above tips into consideration when packing, and you’ll be all set to enjoy your trip with clear vision every day.
