Owais Crawford
If you're travelling with contact lenses, it's important to plan ahead. Most countries require a prescription to buy contact lenses, and while eye tests are available abroad, they can be costly and time-consuming. It's a good idea to keep a copy of your prescription with you, whether physically or on your phone, in case you need to replace your lenses during your trip. You should also bring glasses as a backup option. When packing, remember that contact lens solution is subject to liquid restrictions and must be under 100ml in your carry-on luggage. While regulations vary by country and airport, it's generally recommended to declare contact lens solution over 3.4 ounces to avoid confiscation. Disposable contact lenses may also be considered liquids and should be placed in a clear bag.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I buy replacement contact lenses at an airport? | It is unclear whether replacement contact lenses can be purchased at an airport. However, it is recommended to carry a copy of your contact lens prescription, as well as any necessary documentation for your eye care, in case you need to replace your lenses during your trip. |
| Contact lenses in carry-on luggage | Disposable contact lenses are allowed in carry-on luggage. They are considered liquids and must be placed in a quart-sized bag with other small liquids. Each solution container or lens packet must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) to comply with TSA regulations. |
| Contact lenses in checked luggage | Contact lenses can also be placed in checked luggage. However, some airlines, such as Ryanair, do not allow contact lenses in checked baggage and will not reimburse you in case of damage or theft. |
| Contact lens solution | Contact lens solution is considered a liquid and must follow the same rules as other liquids. Containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) must be declared at the TSA checkpoint and may be subject to additional screening. |
| Tips for travelling with contact lenses | It is recommended to bring prescription eyeglasses as a backup option, especially if you rely solely on contact lenses. Switching to daily disposable contact lenses while on holiday can be more convenient due to deviations from your usual routine. It is also important to follow your eye care routine and stay well-hydrated during your flight to minimize discomfort. |
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What You'll Learn
- Contact lens solutions are considered liquids and must be under 100ml
- Keep a copy of your prescription in case you need to replace your lenses
- Contact lenses can be kept in hand luggage or checked luggage
- Some airlines don't allow contact lenses in checked baggage
- Dry air in planes can cause discomfort, so use rewetting drops
Contact lens solutions are considered liquids and must be under 100ml
Contact lens solutions are considered liquids and must adhere to the liquid restrictions for carry-on luggage. In the UK, only liquids under 100ml are permitted in carry-on luggage. In the US, the limit is 3.4 ounces (approximately 100ml). These restrictions are in place for security reasons, and any liquids over this amount will be confiscated if you attempt to carry them in your hand luggage.
To comply with these restrictions, you can purchase travel-sized contact lens solutions, which are typically available in volumes of 100ml or less. These can be easily packed in your carry-on luggage, ensuring you have access to your contact lens solution during your flight and upon arrival. It is important to note that you should not transfer the solution to a smaller bottle yourself, as this can risk contaminating the sterile solution.
If you require a larger amount of contact lens solution for your trip, you can still bring it with you, but it must be packed in your checked baggage. In some cases, you may be allowed to bring larger amounts of medically necessary liquids in your carry-on luggage, but these must be declared to security officers for inspection. However, some contact lens solutions contain chemicals that may trigger an alarm during screening and may not be permitted through the checkpoint. Therefore, it is recommended to place larger amounts of contact lens solution in your checked baggage to avoid any issues.
Additionally, it is always a good idea to carry a copy of your contact lens prescription with you when travelling, as it can be helpful if you need to replace your lenses during your trip.
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Keep a copy of your prescription in case you need to replace your lenses
Keeping a copy of your prescription is a good idea if you need to replace your lenses. You are entitled to receive a copy of your contact lens prescription, and your prescriber must give you a copy after your fitting is complete. You can take a picture of your prescription and keep it on your smartphone, so you always have a copy with you. This is a good idea, as most countries only allow the purchase of contact lenses with a prescription. While eye tests are available abroad, they can be expensive and time-consuming.
It is also important to give the correct contact information for your prescriber to the seller so they can verify your prescription information. If you give incorrect information and the prescriber doesn't respond to the seller's verification request within eight business hours, the seller can automatically fill your order. This is called "passive verification".
If you need a replacement copy of your prescription, your prescriber has 40 business hours from the time of your request to send it. In some cases, you may be charged a fee for an eye exam. However, the prescriber cannot require you to pay for your exam or contact lens fitting before giving you a copy of your prescription unless they require immediate payment from all eye exam patients. If you have proof of insurance, it counts as payment, and the prescriber cannot withhold your prescription for non-payment of fees that your health insurance should cover.
It is recommended to recheck your eyes and obtain a recent copy of your prescription if it has been over a year since your previous checkup. This is to ensure that your prescription is up-to-date and accurate.
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Contact lenses can be kept in hand luggage or checked luggage
To avoid any issues, it is best to purchase travel-sized contact lens solutions, which are typically available in supplies of 100ml or less. These can easily fit into your hand luggage and ensure you can clean, disinfect, and store your lenses wherever you go. It is also recommended to keep your lenses in their original packaging, as opening the package can spoil the lens and risk contamination.
When packing, remember to follow your optician's wearing schedule and bring a spare pair of lenses just in case. It is also a good idea to keep your prescription with you, as most countries require a prescription to purchase contact lenses. If you are flying overnight or taking an early morning flight, consider switching to daily disposable lenses, as they can be more convenient and eliminate the need for a lens cleaning and storage routine.
While contact lenses and solutions can be packed in checked luggage, it is generally recommended to keep them in your hand luggage. This is because checked luggage has a higher risk of loss, damage, or theft, and these items are often considered valuable or essential. By keeping them with you, you can ensure their safety and have easy access to them throughout your journey.
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Some airlines don't allow contact lenses in checked baggage
While contact lenses themselves are not typically prohibited in checked baggage, some airlines, like Ryanair, do not allow contact lenses in checked baggage. This is because they do not want to be responsible for reimbursing passengers for any damage or theft of valuable items placed in hold luggage. Therefore, it is advisable to pack contact lenses in carry-on luggage.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), contact lens solutions over 3.4 ounces (100 ml) should be placed in checked baggage. Smaller bottles of contact lens solution, on the other hand, are allowed in carry-on luggage. However, it's important to note that some contact lens solutions contain chemicals that may trigger an alarm during screening and may not be permitted through the checkpoint.
To comply with TSA rules and avoid any issues at airport security, it is recommended to use a travel pack or travel-sized bottles of contact lens solution that are 100 ml or less. These smaller bottles are readily available for purchase and can easily fit into your hand luggage, allowing you to clean, disinfect, and store your lenses while travelling.
Additionally, it is always a good idea to keep a copy of your contact lens prescription with you when travelling, either physically or as a picture on your smartphone. This ensures that you can easily replace your lenses if needed and can serve as proof of your need for contact lenses and solution if any questions arise during security screening.
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Dry air in planes can cause discomfort, so use rewetting drops
It is possible to buy contact lens solution at the airport, but it will be in a travel pack size of 100ml or less to comply with hand luggage liquid restrictions. If you need a larger amount of solution for your trip, you can pack it in your checked baggage, but you must declare it to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection.
Dry air in planes can cause discomfort for contact lens wearers, so it is advisable to use rewetting drops. The air conditioning and heating systems on planes can cause the air to become dry, which can lead to contact lenses drying out. This can cause discomfort, and the lenses may even fall out. To prevent this, you can use eye drops to keep your eyes and lenses moist. Blinking often, staying hydrated, and taking breaks from screen time can also help alleviate dryness.
If you are prone to dry eyes, you may want to consider switching to daily disposable contact lenses while travelling. This will give your eyes a break from extended wear and the hassle of a lens-cleaning routine. Additionally, you should always follow your optician's wearing schedule and pack a spare pair of lenses in case one gets lost or damaged.
If you are experiencing dry eyes, it could be due to the contact lens solution you are using. Some solutions contain preservatives and substances that can irritate the eyes, causing dryness or allergic reactions. In this case, you should consult your eye doctor for recommendations on a suitable solution and adhere to a proper contact lens hygiene routine.
It is important to note that most countries require a prescription to buy contact lenses. While eye tests are available abroad, they can be expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, it is advisable to keep a copy of your prescription with you when travelling, either physically or on your smartphone.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not guaranteed that you will be able to buy replacement contact lenses at an airport. It is recommended that you carry a copy of your contact lens prescription with you, just in case you need to replace your lenses during your trip.
Yes. It is recommended that you carry a copy of your contact lens prescription with you, as well as any necessary documentation for your eye care. This will come in handy if you need to replace your lenses during your trip.
It is recommended that you keep your contact lenses in your carry-on luggage. This ensures that you have quick and easy access to them during your flight and upon arrival.
Yes, contact lenses and contact lens solution are considered liquids and must be put in a quart-sized bag with any other small liquids you plan to bring on the plane.
