When we’re not selling Canadian contact lenses at Fresh Lens, we love to travel. Yet, like many of our customers, we too need a little vision correction and must consider the logistics of safely wearing contacts while we’re out exploring the world. From keeping lenses fresh on a road trip to figuring out the TSA contact lens solution carry on requirements, it takes planning ahead. Here are some tips and tricks we’ve picked up over the years to make traveling with contacts a hassle-free experience.
How to Pack Contact Lenses When Flying or Driving
Packing correctly is really the key to ensuring you don’t end up miserable and unable to see while you’re on vacation. First of all, always bring back-up contact lenses. Even if you’re only going to be gone for a day or two, you never know when one may rip and that can really put a damper on your good time. Be sure to pack your eyeglasses as well and bring along your prescription so you can get a new pair or some lenses if you’re in a pinch. Switching to daily contact lenses, at least temporarily, would be your best bet. You won’t need solution or a case and you won’t have to worry about how to put them in and take them out if conditions are less than sanitary.
If you’ll be driving, consider bringing a big bottle of your favorite contact lens solution in case you don’t have access to your preferred brand. Depending on where you’re going, which we’ll get to shortly, you may want to take some bottled water and hand sanitizer with you too. Whatever your mode of transportation, a new, unused contact lens case will be free of germs and bacteria and ready to use when you need to store them.
Now, on to flying with contact lenses. If you’re wondering can you take contact lenses on a plane? Yes, you can. There are no real TSA contact lenses stipulations and you can pack them right in your carry-on bag. However, you’ll have to be careful when it comes to your solution. According to the TSA liquids rule, you must use containers that are 3.4 ounces or less for liquids, aerosols and gels and they should fit in a clear, 1 quart-sized resalable bag if you want to put them in your carry-on. While contact lens solution is technically a medically necessary liquid, so a regular-sized bottle could go in your hand luggage, you’ll have to declare it and it will be subject to extra screening, which is kind of a pain. For convenience, bring a travel-sized contact lens solution for your carry-on bag as well as rewetting drops and save the larger bottle of solution for your checked luggage.
Contact Lens Comfort While on the Road (or in the Air)
While you can certainly wear your contact lenses on a plane, be aware that conditions like reduced oxygen availability, the cabin pressure and the lack of humidity, mean your contacts can get pretty uncomfortable and dry, particularly on long flights. Be sure to bring a small bottle of lubricating eye drops (less than 3.4 ounces) with you and use them liberally to combat dry eyes. Or, better yet, wear your eyeglasses for flights over three hours. If you’ll be driving, you won’t experience the same airline cabin woes but rewetting drops will ensure you’re comfortable and can see clearly after staring at the road for a while.
How to Keep Contact Lenses Clean While Traveling
You’ll follow the same exact guidelines you always do in order to keep contact lenses sanitized. If you’re on a plane or in a hotel, more than likely you can wash your hands with soap and water before handling your lenses. For those who’ll be camping in the wilderness or in a car without reliable pit stops, again, we have to say dailies will make your life so much easier. If they’re not an option and you want to use your weekly or monthly contact lenses, it’s imperative that your hands are clean before you touch your eyes or contacts. If soap and water are nowhere to be found, hand sanitizer will get rid of the germs. However, it contains alcohol, which will irritate your eyes. After you use the sanitizer and let it dry, rinse your fingertips with bottled water to remove the alcohol. No bottled water? Jeez. Okay, the next best thing would be rinsing your fingertips with extra contact lens solution. Once your paws are clean, go through the usual steps for storing and putting in your contacts.
It does take more effort to travel with contact lenses but it’s worth being prepared so your eyes stay healthy, comfortable and happy throughout your trip. Before you head out, you may want to stock up on some new contact lenses. After all, there’s nothing worse than realizing you’re wearing your last pair as you’re pulling up to the airport for a weeklong tropical getaway. Check out our large selection of top brands and order contacts online from Fresh Lens for fast, free shipping to the United States and Canada. Happy travels!
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