April 18, 2012
As you think about spring or summer trips, you could be wondering: “How do I travel with contact lenses?” A lot of patients choose to leave their contacts at home in favor of traditional eyeglasses in order to avoid any hassles with flying with contact lenses. In fact, a few years ago, a couple missed their honeymoon over a bottle of contact lens solution! The good news is that with these contact lens tips, contact lens wearers can look and feel great during their vacations this year.
- Remember the 311 Rule:
- TSA allows contact lens solution as an exception to their 3.4 oz liquids rule, but travelling with travel sized bottles of solution and rewetting drops may be more convenient. As a rule of thumb, travelers should remember the 311 rule. That means 3.4 oz of acceptable liquids in separate bottles, placed in one quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Once a traveler gets to the checkpoint, he or she should place that plastic bag in a separate bin to be scanned by a TSA agent.
- Pack It All On Carry On:
- Pack your contact lens solution, rewetting drops, and glasses in your carry-on bag to avoid problems if your checked-in luggage is delayed or lost. Cabin air tends to get dry, so keeping a bottle of rewetting drops can help prevent your contact lenses from drying out while you travel.
- Consider Daily Disposables:
- In order to prevent issues at TSA checkpoints and while packing, consider trying daily disposable lenses. With daily disposable lenses like CooperVision’s Proclear 1 Day contact lenses, there is no need for contact lens cases or solution. Plus, contact lens wearers get the benefit of a fresh pair of contact lenses every day.
- Pack Back Up:
- In case you don’t wear daily disposables, make sure that you pack a few back up lenses in case your original pair gets torn or lost. Packing your eyeglasses just in case your eyes get too irritated for lens wear may be a good idea too. Always remember to call an eye care professional if you experience any severe eye discomfort.