Contact Lense solutions problems with TSA

Sue, I don't know what the current rules are, but I do recall reading something on flyertalk about this. Hydrogen peroxide is used in explosives. Evidently hydrogen peroxide was one of the ingredients in that UK bomb plot with the soda bottles that resulted in the whole 3-1-1 liquid rules. You might go over there and search on hydrogen peroxide and see what the latest info on the thread is. My only suggestion is to bring either a 3oz or smaller bottles in your 3-1-1 bag, as they pretty much don't pay attention to stuff in that bag. Perhaps take a larger bottle, put it in in bubble wrap or one of those wine skins and put it in a box and check the box.

Sue - Here is one post but I notice it is a couple of years old. I think there was a longer thread on this. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-issues/1010623-clear-care-contact-solution-banned.html

Sue, As Laura mentioned, it's highly likely that Clear Care and other products that contain hydrogen peroxide are banned for the reasons she mentioned. It's possible this could be missed by some screeners, while others will catch it. As far as I can see, you have two choices: 1.) Ask your Eye Care professional to recommend a different brand on Contact Lens solutions, one which doesn't contain hydrogen peroxide. 2.) Travel with one item of checked luggage (it's not really that bad). Good luck and happy travels!

Also consider this. My sons flew BA to Germany from PHL last year, back from Amsterdam, connecting in Heathrow both ways. They are twins, had a fresh large bottle of plain old saline for contacts with them. Which is fine for TSA, permitted as a medicine. But they were required to lose this again on reboarding at Heathrow by BA on leaving Amsterdam (there was no issue on their transfer flight from Berlin to Amsterdam) by BA's gate people.
They were not happy with having to find replacement fluid immediately upon arrival in Berlin.

It appears as if there is no Clear answer but I appreciate all your input. I think I will call my eye doctor and see if there is a substitute that I can use or if she has any suggestions. I am also going to bring a second pair of contacts with me as well as glasses (Yuk-hate glasses) I'll let you know what the eye doctor says. Thanks again! Sue

I am pretty sure they sell all kinds of contact lens solutions in Europe.

Why don't you just squeeze what you need into a small 3 oz bottle with a squirt lid? And then DO NOT write on it in big letters, "peroxide solution used in making bombs sometimes but it's really just my eye solution". Doesn't seem like an issue. Clear plastic travel size bottles/containers are sold everywhere.

Greg, as a wearer of contacts myself, I can tell you that you are never supposed to transfer contact solution into another bottle of any kind because it is sterile solution.

Steps to get past the Thousands Standing Around 1. Buy solution in bottle small enough to put in your "approved" Baggie 2. Put the bottle in the Baggie CRAMMED with all the other stuff 3. Go through security as normal. Don't say anything, don't ask the Thousands "is this OK?" 99.9%of the time you will be home free. I have not had my Baggie looked for at least a year

Putting the Peroxide-based Contact Lens solution in an unmarked bottle may or may not solve the problem. While this could be missed on many occasions, the airport may be using electronic scanning equipment that's designed to pick up traces of Peroxide, and if found it will promptly go into the bin. My travel gear often gets "swabbed" but I'm not sure what substances are detected by that? Trying to "sneak" through the TSA lines with a substance that's not permitted is not something I'd advocate. In addition to my earlier suggestions, you could also: > Take a non-peroxide Contact Lens solution in your carry-on to cover you during the flights. When you arrive at your first location, visit a Pharmacy or Eye Care professional and buy enough Clear Care to last you for the trip. Cheers!

And if "scanning" equipment actually DID anything I would burst out laughing. The screening machine does NOT see "explosives" (one of the big myths) Not do most scanners really even see liquids (I have been doing a test... I have had a tube of hand lotion in my purse for about 6 years... same brand different tubes sometimes it's brand new and full, sometimes it's almost empty.) If a TSA agent ever finds it I plan to right a letter of congratuations. But so far, despite at least 4 flights a month it's never been questioned. The "handswab" does look for explosives. The treated Hydrogen Peroxide in your eye stuff isn't going to be caught that way. You need lots of "dust" it's really looking for "powder" All of this reminds me.. I had a small surgical procedure and had to clean the wound with Hydrogen Peroxide. I put a BIG bottle in a baggie, stuck in on the belt and... that was that LOL! And I know I have done this at least twice!

Sue, As a fellow contact lens wearer who also uses Clear Care and will be traveling to Europe in 3 weeks, I have a different idea for you. What about asking your eye doctor for samples of daily contact lenses? That way you won't need any overnight cleaning solution to worry about at all. I just priced them at Costco and they range from $17.99-32.49 for a 30 day supply. Your eye doctor may even be able to give you 10 day samples (or more) as well. I'm going camping this weekend and going to try out the convenience of them with my 10 day sample pack. Happy Travels, Jessica