Ruth Haines
If you wear contact lenses, you may be wondering if it's possible to wear them when travelling through an airport and onto a plane. The short answer is yes; you can bring contact lenses on a plane, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows contact lenses in both carry-on and checked baggage. However, the dry air in the plane cabin can dehydrate your eyes, making your contact lenses feel tight and uncomfortable. It is recommended that you bring a contact lens solution with you, but you must declare them to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I wear contact lenses at the airport? | Yes, but it is not recommended due to the dry air in the airport and cabin. |
| Can I bring contact lenses on the plane? | Yes, you can bring contact lenses in your carry-on or checked baggage. |
| Can I bring contact lens solution on the plane? | Yes, but it must be in a travel-sized bottle (3.4 oz or 100 ml) and declared to security officers for inspection. |
| How should I care for my contact lenses when travelling? | Keep them in a sealed container, store them in an easily accessible place, and bring rewetting drops to relieve dryness. |
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What You'll Learn
Packing contact lenses in carry-on baggage
Contact lenses can be brought on a plane in your carry-on bag or packed in checked luggage. This applies to daily lenses in blister packs, as well as bi-weekly or monthly lenses in a contact lens case.
If you plan to wear your contacts on the flight, it is a good idea to prepare for the possibility of having to take them out. If you wear dailies, bring an extra pair in your bag. If you wear longer-use lenses, bring your contact lens case with some solution in your bag. It is also recommended to pack your glasses as a backup, as some people find the dry air in planes irritating to their eyes or uncomfortable for contact lens wear.
Contact lens solution is considered a medically necessary liquid and is allowed in amounts larger than the standard 3.4 ounces permitted for liquids. However, you must inform the TSA officer at the security checkpoint. It is recommended to keep the solution separate from other liquids in your bag to facilitate inspection. Some contact lens solutions contain chemicals that may trigger security alarms, so it is recommended to place larger amounts in checked baggage.
To avoid having to bring contact lens solution, you can consider switching to daily disposable lenses for your trip. This will also eliminate the need to worry about cleaning your lens case.
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TSA rules for contact lens solution
Contact lens solution is considered a medically necessary liquid by the TSA. This means that you can bring it on a plane in quantities exceeding the typical 3.4-ounce (100ml) limit for liquids. However, you must declare it to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection, and it should be placed in your quart-sized bag.
It's important to note that not all contact lens solutions are treated equally by the TSA. Some solutions contain chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, that may trigger alarms during screening and might not be permitted through the checkpoint. These types of solutions are often considered more hazardous, and there have been reports of them being confiscated. To avoid issues, it is recommended to place larger quantities of these specific solutions in your checked baggage.
If you choose to bring your contact lens solution in a carry-on bag, be mindful of the TSA liquids rule and its medical exception. While medically necessary solutions are allowed in larger quantities, they may be subject to additional screening to ensure they do not contain prohibited items. To avoid any issues, you can pack travel-sized bottles of solution, which should be enough for about a month.
Additionally, consider bringing a spare pair of contact lenses or glasses in your luggage as a backup. This will ensure that you have alternative options if something happens to your first pair of lenses or if your eyes become irritated due to dry air or allergens.
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Dealing with dry eyes on a flight
Yes, you can wear contact lenses to the airport and on a flight. However, it's important to care for your contact lenses and your eyes while travelling.
Contact lens solution may be subject to liquid restrictions at the airport, so it's best to pack any solution over 3.4 ounces in your checked baggage. Disposable contact lenses are a good option for travelling, as you won't need to carry lens solution or a case. If you wear reusable lenses, be sure to clean them regularly.
Air travel can cause dry eyes due to the low humidity, air-conditioned cabin environments, and prolonged screen use, all of which can dehydrate the eyes. Here are some tips to deal with dry eyes on a flight:
- Stay hydrated by drinking water or herbal tea. Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, as these can cause fluid loss.
- Use hydrating eye sprays or artificial tears regularly during the flight to replace moisture loss.
- Apply a heated eye compress during the flight to get the oil glands in your eyes flowing optimally.
- Remove eye makeup before your flight to keep the glands around your eyes free from accidental blockage.
- Take regular breaks from screens such as phones, tablets, or in-flight entertainment systems.
- If you plan to sleep during the flight, use an eye mask to reduce the amount of dry air reaching your eyes.
- Be aware that some medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, can decrease tear production and lead to dry eyes.
By following these steps, you can help keep your eyes comfortable and healthy while travelling.
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Cabin pressure changes and contact lenses
Contact lenses are permitted at airports and on flights. However, it is important to take certain precautions when travelling with contact lenses.
Firstly, contact lens solution may not be permitted through security checkpoints due to liquid restrictions. Contact lens solutions often contain chemicals that trigger alarms during screening. Therefore, it is recommended to place larger amounts of contact lens solution in checked baggage.
Secondly, the aircraft cabin environment can affect contact lens wearers due to the lower humidity and decreased cabin pressure compared to normal sea level. The low humidity, ranging from 5% to 15%, can lead to dehydration of soft lenses, reducing oxygen availability and potentially causing corneal edema and other ocular stresses. The decrease in cabin pressure as the aircraft gains altitude also reduces the amount of oxygen available, which is already diminished by the contact lenses themselves.
To mitigate these issues, it is advisable to follow the recommended guidelines on how long to wear your lenses and consult with an eye care professional for specific advice. Applying a fresh pair of contact lenses upon reaching your destination can also help ensure comfort and clarity of vision. Additionally, consider using daily disposable lenses to avoid the need for contact lens solutions and cases while travelling.
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Contact lenses and sleeping
You can wear contact lenses to the airport and on a plane. However, it is recommended that you follow the advice on the pack or from your eye care professional on how long you can safely wear them. During long-haul flights, you may want to consider applying a fresh pair of contact lenses when you reach your destination.
When it comes to contact lenses and sleeping, it is generally not recommended to sleep with contact lenses in. Sleeping with contact lenses can cut off the oxygen supply to your eyes, increasing the risk of eye infections and other complications. The cornea of the eye relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats the eye. When you sleep with contact lenses in, the amount of oxygen available to the cornea is reduced, as the lenses act as a barrier.
This reduction in oxygen supply can lead to a condition called hypoxia, which can damage the corneal cells and increase the risk of microbial keratitis. Keratitis is a severe and potentially sight-threatening corneal infection caused by bacteria, fungi, or amoebas. The risk of infection is further increased by the fact that contact lenses can trap bacteria and other microorganisms against the cornea, providing an ideal environment for them to multiply.
In addition to the risk of infection, sleeping with contact lenses can also cause dryness, irritation, and discomfort. The lenses can absorb the moisture in your eyes, leading to dryness, especially since the eyes naturally produce fewer tears during sleep. This dryness can worsen when the lenses are removed, as the reduced lubrication can make them harder to take out and potentially cause damage to the corneal surface.
While it may not always lead to serious complications, it is important to avoid making it a habit to sleep with contact lenses in. If you do fall asleep with your lenses in, it is recommended to remove them as soon as possible and let your eyes recover for at least a day before wearing lenses again. Practicing good contact lens hygiene and seeing a doctor at the first sign of infection are crucial to maintaining eye health.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can wear contact lenses at the airport.
It is recommended that you do not wear contact lenses on the plane. The dry air in the plane cabin can dehydrate your eyes, making your contact lenses feel tight and uncomfortable. If you must wear contact lenses during your flight, make sure to pack rewetting drops in your carry-on baggage.
If you are bringing contact lens solution, it must be in a travel-sized bottle (3.4 ounces or 100ml) and stored in a clear, transparent bag. Disposable contact lens blister packs must be sealed, and non-disposable lenses must be stored in no more than 100ml of solution.
If your flight is longer than three or four hours, you may want to wait to put in your contacts until you arrive at your destination. If you need to wear them during the flight, make sure to bring rewetting drops to combat dry eyes.
You may want to consider wearing glasses during your flight, especially if your flight is several hours long. You can then switch to a fresh pair of contact lenses when you reach your destination.
