Contact Lens Solution in Hand Luggage: Rules & Tips

Can you take contact lense solution in hand luggage?

Contact lens solution is allowed in hand luggage. However, the rules for liquids in hand luggage must be observed. Accordingly, you may only transport contact lens solution in containers that do not exceed 100 ml each. The containers must be stowed in the bag of liquids (max. volume = 1 litre).

 

Doesn’t the exception for liquid medicine apply to contact lens solution?

There is an exception for liquid medicine that is needed for travel, such as insulin syringes or liquid antibiotics: These products are also permitted in hand luggage in containers larger than 100 ml, but only if the passenger has a medical certificate.

However, does this exception rule also apply to contact lens solution? I’m afraid not. The normal rule for liquids in hand luggage applies to contact lens solution. The contact lens solution may therefore only be brought with you if it is in a container that does not exceed 100 ml.

In this context, it is also important to know that the capacity of the contact lens solution container is decisive. The capacity must not be more than 100 ml.

Accordingly, contact lens solution that is half empty, but is in a container with, let’s say, 150 ml, is NOT allowed to be transported in hand luggage.

Does the contact lens solution need to be in the bag of liquids?

Yes, since the contact lens solution is considered a regular liquid in hand luggage, it must be placed in the clear bag of liquids. It does not matter whether it is a care product for daily lenses, monthly lenses or other lenses.

However, it is, of course, the case that care products for daily lenses are largely omitted because in this case, you use new lenses every day.

Store your contact lens products with your other liquids such as hair spray, shampoo and toothpaste in a transparent and resealable bag of liquids. Then take this bag out of your hand luggage at the security check and present it separately.

Attention: Please remember that only containers containing no more than 100 ml of contact lens solution are allowed in hand luggage!

 

Is contact lens solution allowed in hand luggage when travelling to the US?

Even if your flight takes you to the USA, you can still take the lens solution with you in your hand luggage. The same rules apply as for us:

• Contact lens products only up to 100 ml per container
• Containers must be stowed in the bag of liquids
• This bag must be transparent and resealable
• The size of the bag of liquids must not exceed 20 x 20
• Only one such bag per person

In America, the Liquids 3-1-1 rule applies to liquids in hand luggage. Sounds a bit strange at first, but the rule is generally the same as the liquid rule as we know it in Europe

 

How much ml does a conventional contact lens solution have?

The standard size for contact lenses is about 300 to 360 ml per bottle. These bottles are therefore not suitable for transport in hand luggage. But isn’t there also a cleaning solution for contact lenses in smaller containers? You will find the answer in the next section.

 

Travel-size contact lens solution

Fortunately, contact lens solution is also available in practical travel size. The OptiFree solution comes in practical 90 ml containers and can, therefore, be easily carried in hand luggage. If you need contact lens solution in your cabin luggage, just buy it in travel size.

 

Transferring contact lens solution into smaller containers is a no-go

On the web, you will find various toilet bags with practical travel bottles, with which liquids in larger containers can be conveniently and easily transferred into smaller containers.

For example, you can transfer your 350 ml shampoo into a suitable travel container or carry an emergency ration of Nutella in your hand luggage.

What you should definitely not do, however, is to refill contact lens solution into such travel containers. This is for hygienic reasons, as the decanting process poses an acute risk of contamination.

So make sure you buy contact lens care products in travel size (bottles <= 100 ml) instead of refilling them yourself!

 

Related Questions

 

Is it permitted to bring contact lens solution with you in your checked baggage?

There is no reason why contact lens solution should not be transported in checked baggage. You can take any amount of contact lens solution with you in your checked baggage as long as it is for personal use.

In general, there is no quantity restriction for liquids in checked baggage (there are a few exceptions to this rule, though).