You are ready for your next flight, but want to make sure you can bring your contact lens solution with you on the plane.
Here is the short answer: Yes, you can bring contact lens solution on a plane in both carry-on and checked luggage. and because it is considered a medically necessary liquid by the TSA, you can bring containers larger than 3.4 ounces / 100 ml in your carry-on, but you must declare it to security officers at the checkpoint..
In this post I will cover everything you need to know about taking contact lens solution on planes during domestic and international flights.
Let’s dive right in.
TL;DR:
- You can bring contact lens solution on a plane in both carry-on and checked bags.
- The TSA considers contact lens solutions medically necessary liquid, so bottles over 3.4 oz / 100 ml are allowed in carry-on luggage if you declare them at security.
- Small travel-size bottles can go in your liquids bag like normal without any issues.
- Keep your solution in your carry-on if possible, and pack checked bottles in a sealed bag to prevent leaks.
Can You Bring Contact Lens Solution On a Plane?
What Are The TSA guidelines contact lens solution?
If you are already familiar with the TSA liquid rules, you know that liquids are allowed in carry-on luggage in limited quantities.
But necessary liquid medications have some exceptions.
So, contact lens solution is considered a liquid, but you can take containers that are 3.4 oz / 100 ml or larger and exceed the limits without needing 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 contact lens solution for someone else, for a family member for example?
However, lens solution is not a prescribed medication, and you do not need to have a prescription in order to take more in your carry-on luggage.
But most of the time, the agent will ask you if you are bringing it for yourself.
If not, you will still need to take only 3.4 oz / 100 ml containers inside a quart-sized bag.
I wanted to find more answers from the TSA social media, mainly X.
Sarah asked the TSA about taking this large 12 oz / 355 ml bottle of hydrogen peroxide solution to use for her contact lenses.
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 wondered if a contact lens case with solution and lenses needs to be in a quart-sized bag.
The TSA replied that disposable contacts do not need to be placed in the liquids quart-sized bag.
Can You 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.
And as I mentioned above the TSA consider contact lens solutions medically necessary liquid, so you don’t need to worry about the size.
Also most contact lens solutions come in travel-size small containers, and that will make traveling with them easier.
If you bring a small bottle that is 3.4 oz / 100 ml or less, you will avoid any questions from the security agents or the need to declare that you are traveling with any medications.
Ensure that you always keep 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.
Can You Take Contact Lens Solution In Checked Bag?
You can bring contact lens solution 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 avoiding placing any necessary or fragile items inside your checked bag.
Things get broken and even lost all the time in checked luggage, so do not risk losing your necessary items.
But if you decide to pack your solution in checked luggage, make sure that you protect it neatly inside a plastic or Ziploc bag and keep it in its original bottle.
That will prevent it from spilling inside your bag.
Can You Take Contact Lens Solution Internationally?
Almost all airlines have exceptions when traveling with necessary liquid medications.
So you are allowed to bring reasonable quantities on your flight, but you may need a doctor’s prescription or some evidence that the medication is for personal use (it is better to contact your airline to get more information).
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, inhalers, and medical equipment, if they are 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 on their website.
Final Thoughts
Contact lens solution is considered a non-prescription necessary medication, and it is allowed in both carry-on and checked luggage.
So you can carry contact lenses on plane without any issues, if you take the solution in your 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.
I hope this helps.
Happy travels.
FAQs About Taking Contact Lens Solution On a Plane
Can you take a full-size bottle of contact lens solution on a plane?
Yes of course contact lens solution is considered a medically necessary liquid, so you can bring large bottles more than 3.4 oz / 100 ml in your carry-on. Just tell TSA folks know.
Do contact lenses need to go in a TSA quart-sized bag?
You don’t need to place your contact lenses in your quart-sized bag.
Can you wear contact lenses on a plane?
Yes, but airplane cabins are dry, so your eyes may feel uncomfortable on long flights. Bring eye drops and backup glasses just in case.
Can contact lens solution trigger TSA alarms?
Sometimes. Hydrogen peroxide solutions like Clear Care may get extra screening, but they are still allowed.
Can you bring disposable contact lenses on a plane?
Yes. Disposable contact lenses are allowed in both carry-on and checked luggage.
Are eye drops allowed on a plane with contact lenses?
You can pack travel-size eye drops in your quart sized bag, and medically necessary drops in larger bottles are usually allowed if you declare them to TSA.
Can you bring hydrogen peroxide contact solution on a plane?
Hydrogen peroxide solutions are allowed, but the TSA may inspect them more carefully.
Can you bring unopened contact lens solution on a plane?
Unopened bottles are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags.
Can you bring saline solution on a plane?
Yes you can bring saline solution, and it is treated like contact lens solution and is generally allowed over the liquid limit if needed.
Can contact lens solution leak in checked luggage?
Pack it inside a sealed plastic or Ziploc bag to avoid spills.
Can you bring colored contact lenses on a plane?
Colored contacts are also allowed in both carry-on and checked bags.
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