Packing for a flight can be overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to ensure you have everything you need. One common question is whether they can bring eye drops on a plane. After all, flying can be uncomfortable, and sometimes you need to soothe dry, irritated eyes. Fortunately, there are rules and regulations in place that allow you to bring eye drops in your carry-on luggage when you fly. But understanding the rules and being aware of the restrictions can be challenging. This comprehensive guide will help you make sense of the rules and regulations for bringing eye drops on a plane, so you can be prepared for your next flight.
Can You Bring Eye Drops On A Plane?
Yes, you can bring eye drops on a plane. However, it is important to be aware of the restrictions on the size and type of liquids that are allowed in your carry-on bag. You can find a list of all the items that are prohibited from being carried on a plane on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website.
TSA Regulations On Eye Drops
- The TSA has a strict list of prohibited items that you can’t take on a plane. This includes all medications, including eye drops.
- If you have an eye drop prescription from your doctor, you can bring it on the plane with you. However, if your doctor doesn’t write out an official prescription, then the TSA will not allow it in your carry-on bag. You’ll need to check it in as checked baggage and hope that your luggage makes it to its destination intact.
- If you have an eye drop prescription from a different doctor, then you can bring them in your carry-on bags without worrying about whether or not the TSA will let them through security.
How To Pack Eye Drops For Air Travel
1. Always Pack Your Own Eye Drops
Bringing eye drops on a plane is only allowed if you have your own personal supply. You can’t buy them on the plane, so it’s important that you bring your own. The TSA allows you to take up to two bottles of eye drops in your carry-on luggage if they are empty and sealed in a zip-top bag. If the bottles are full, then they must be empty and sealed in a zip-top bag with all of the air removed before they can be taken through security.
2. Pack Your Eye Drops In A Ziplock Bag
To make sure that your eye drops are safe to travel with, you should always pack them in a zip-top bag. This will ensure that no air can enter the bottle and contaminate the contents. The TSA has specific guidelines for how to pack eye drops in your carry-on luggage. You should place them in a bag that is at least one inch thick to prevent them from being crushed by the weight of other items. If possible, place your eye drops in an empty pill bottle so you can use them as a shaker when you travel.
3. Make Sure Your Bottles Are Empty Before You Fly
When packing your bottles, make sure they are completely empty before you bring them on a plane. The TSA states that if there is any liquid inside of the bottle, then it must be removed before it can be taken through security. The only exception to this rule is if you are bringing your own bottles and you know that the contents are empty.
4. The Tsa Will Inspect Your Bottles
In addition to inspecting your bottles for liquid, the TSA will also inspect your bottles to make sure they are sealed properly. If they aren’t, then you will be asked to open them and show that they are empty before you can carry them through security. To ensure that your bottles are empty, you should place them in a baggie with a dry towel over the top of them so that no air can get inside the bottle. You should also ensure that all of the air is removed from the bag and then seal it properly so it doesn’t leak during transit.
5. Don’t Open Your Bottles Before You Fly
When it comes time to open your bottle of eye drops on a plane, don’t do it until after you have cleared security at the airport and before you board your flight. The TSA states that any liquid from the eye drops should always be removed from the bottle before it is opened in order to prevent any contamination.
Alternatives To Eye Drops On A Plane
1. You Can Use Eye Drops Without A Prescription
If you’re traveling and you need to use eye drops, there are alternatives to bringing them with you on a plane. For example, if you have dry eyes, try using an over-the-counter solution like Refresh Tears. This is a very mild solution that can help keep your eyes moist. It also contains natural ingredients like aloe and vitamin E, which are good for your skin.
2. You Can Bring Liquids In Your Carry-On Luggage When Flying
It is possible to bring liquids in your carry-on luggage when flying on an airplane. But, the size of the container must be less than 3 ounces and it must fit in a one-quart clear plastic bag with handles or a zip-close plastic bag that completely encloses the container. Any liquids that exceed this size will not be allowed on the plane. However, if you want to take a bottle of water with you (for example), you can do so.
3. You Can Bring Eye Drops In Your Carry-On Luggage When Flying
If you want to bring eye drops on a plane, there are specific rules and regulations that apply to your carry-on luggage. Your carry-on must be able to fit in the overhead compartment of the airplane, and it must weigh less than 50 pounds. It also cannot exceed sizes of 3 ounces or smaller, depending on your airline. If you’re flying with a checked bag, it must fit in the baggage compartment of an airplane as well and weigh less than 50 pounds. The liquid container cannot be larger than 3 ounces unless you have a medical prescription for larger containers than this size. You will need to check with your airline about whether these restrictions apply to you when flying with your checked bag or not.
Tips For Flying With Eye Drops
- Eye drops are allowed in your carry-on luggage, but you must be able to display a TSA-approved bottle.
- If you have a prescription for eye drops, the container must list the name of the doctor who prescribed them and the date on which they were prescribed.
- You must have a label on your bottle that clearly states “For topical use only” and that lists the name of your doctor, as well as any other information required by TSA. This label must be in English or Spanish, with one of those languages being used at least once on each side of the label.
- You can’t use eye drops that contain more than 0.5% benzalkonium chloride (BAC).
- You can’t bring liquid eye drops in your checked luggage if they contain more than 0.5% BAC or if you have used them within 48 hours of landing at an airport with a TSA security checkpoint.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, you want to make sure that you’re prepared for any situation that may arise during a long flight. This includes making sure you have the right items to soothe dry, irritated eyes. Whether you choose to bring eye drops or an eye drop alternative, make sure you have enough to last the entire flight. And most importantly, make sure your eye drops are in a container that holds 3.4 ounces or less
