You are up for your next flight, but you want to ensure that you can bring your contact lens solution with you.
Keep reading because this post will share everything that you need to know about traveling with contact lens solutions on planes.
Here is the short answer before we go deep into the details.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have flexible rules when traveling medically necessary liquids, and as long as you bring reasonable quantities even if they exceed the the 3.4 oz / 100 ml rule , the TSA agent or your airline will not have any reason to prevent from traveling with your contact lens solution
Let us dive right in.
Is Contact Lens Solution Will Be Considered a Liquid?
If you are already familiar with the TSA liquid rules, you know that liquids are allowed in carry-on luggage with limited quantities.
But necessary liquid medications have some exceptions.
So contact lens solution is considered liquid but you can take a 3.4 oz / 100 ml or larger than that and exceed the limits without need to place them in a quart-sized bag.
The TSA stated on its website that larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols are allowed in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection.
Here is what the TSA has to say on its website.
But what if you bring a contact lens solution for someone else, for a family member for example?
However, the lens solution is not a prescribed medication, and you do not need to have a prescription in order to take more in carry-on luggage. But most of the time the agent will ask you if you bring it for yourself. If not, you will still need to take only 3.4 oz / 100 ml containers inside a quart size bag.
I checked Twitter to see what are some of the answers from the TSA.
Sarah asked the TSA about taking this large 12 oz bottle of hydrogen peroxide solution to use for her contact lens.
The AskTSA customer service gave her the green light that Contact lens solution and bottles of saline solution are allowed in carry-on bags. and she doesn’t have to place these items in a quart-sized liquids bag.
Lissa Wonder if Contact lens case with solution and lenses need to be in a quart bag?
The TSA replied that disposable contacts do not need to be placed in the liquids quart-sized bag.
Take Contact Lens Solution In Carry-on Bag Or Personal Item
Most non-flammable liquids are allowed in carry-on luggage in limited quantities, no more than 3.4 oz / 100 ml for a single container transported in a quart-sized bag.
However most contact lens solutions come in travel size small containers and that will make traveling with them easier, and if you bring a small bottle with or less than 3.4 oz / 100 ml, you will avoid any questions from the security agents, or declare that you are traveling with any medications.
Ensure to always make your medications handy and easy to reach in case you need them or want to take them out of your bag at the security checkpoint.
Take Contact Lens Solution In Checked Bag
You can bring contact lens solutions in checked luggage without any limits; however, most airlines do not recommend placing valuable or necessary items in checked luggage because they will not compensate for them.
If you already read one of our posts, you will notice that we always recommend to avoid placing any necessary or fragile items inside your checked bag.
Things are getting broken and even missed all the time at checked luggage, so do not risk losing your necessary needs.
But if you decide to send your solution in checked luggage make sure that you protect it neatly inside a plastic or Ziploc bag and in its original bottle, that will prevent it from spilling inside your bag.
Traveling with Lens Contact Solution Internationally
Almost all airlines have exceptions when traveling with necessary liquid medications.
So you are allowed to bring reasonable qualities in your flight, but you will need a doctor prescription or some evidence that the medication is for personal use (it is better to contact your airline to get more info).
For example if you are traveling to the UK you are allowed to bring essential medicines of more than 3.4 oz / 100 ml, including liquid dietary foodstuffs and inhalers, medical equipment, if it’s essential for your journey.
But as the regulations may differ from one country to another it is better to reach out to your airline if they do not mention the solution in their website.
Final Thoughts
Contact lens solution is considered non-prescription necessary medication, and it is allowed in both carry on and checked luggage.
If you take the solution in carry-on luggage, you do not have to adhere to the TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule, so you can take more than 3.4 oz / 100 ml, but you will need to inform the security agent that you are taking the contact solution for your personal needs.
On the other hand if you prefer to take only a small quantity, you can place it inside a quart-sized bag without any issues and without even informing the security agent.
We hope this helps
Happy travels
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