I just realized that I have a big problem if I want to use just a carry on. I wear contac lenses and my sterilizing solution comes in a large bottle. I know it won't make it past security. Does anyone have any ideas on what to do? We are leaving soon so I am worried about the volcanic ash and checking my luggage. I may not have a choice but to check my luggage.
thanks
Hi Sandra,
Before I had lasik, I wore contacts and had the same problem you are facing. If you are unable to find your solution in smaller bottles in the store, you may ask your optometrist for samples of your solution. Those bottles are small enough and many times lasted a coupe of weeks. Worst case, I would take two of the sample sizes.
Be sure to take your glasses too!
Good luck and have fun!
Not a problem. contact lens solution is not required to be in the 3-1-1 bag. Just put it in a separate plastic bag and declare the liquid to the TSA staff when you go through security.
Like April, I've had lasik. Prior to that, I asked my optomotrist for a starter kit which includes a sample bottle of solution. It's enough to last for a vacation and you can buy more there if you need it.
You can take the big bottle as long as you bring your prescription with you - for me that's too much weight and room in your bag when you will only use a small amount.
I would not wear my contacts on the plane in the first place. The air is too dry. Go ahead and check your contact solution.
Everyone else has good suggestions. Oddly enough, the contact solution makers have started making TSA-approved 4 (and not 3) oz. bottles. I just put it in my 3-1-1 baggy and never had a problem. I've found the smaller bottles through my eye dr., at pharmacies, and even Costco.
Alternatively, contact solution is considered a medical exemption, so you could take your large bottle if you can't find a smaller one. There's no need to check your luggage.
I do agree with the other poster about not wearing contacts on the plane, as the dry air can irritate your eyes.
I wasn't going to wear them on the plane because I was hoping to sleep on the plane. (wish me luck) My saline is small enough, but the sterilizing solution is not so small and I can't switch. I am going to call my eye doctor, but my solution is not a common one so I am hoping they will carry it.
Sandra - The contact solution falls under the medical exemption to the liquid rules. TSA says you can carry a "reasonable" amount that isn't restricted to the 3 oz rule.
You just need to put the items in another plastic bag, pull them out with your other stuff and "declare" the extra liquid when you go through security.
This may subject you to further examination of your contact solutions but maybe not. Depends on the screener.
My husand and I both wear contacts and will be in Europe for 5 weeks. Has anyone had success buying a general multi-purpose contact solution?? We'll be in France, Italy, Germany & Austria.
We don't need any specific brand (lately we've been using Costco's brand).
I really hope we can find it over there because we also want to carry on our luggage and obviously can't pack enough for 5 weeks.
