Travelling With Contact Lenses

Whether you’re jetting off on a summer holiday, or getting ready to hit the slopes, remembering to pack the everyday essentials can be stressful – especially if you wear contact lenses.

Many of us have misplaced our contact lenses while on the go, or accidentally damaged them. But travelling with contact lenses can be hassle free – so long as you’re organised.

If you’re wondering how exactly you pack contact lenses when flying, or whether you can take contact lenses in your hand luggage, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to discover more about travelling with contact lenses and looking after your eyes on the go.

Flying off somewhere for an adventure can be an enjoyable and exciting experience. But if you wear contact lenses, there are some simple things you can do to ensure a safe and comfortable journey – for you and your lenses.

Here, we cover some of the most useful things to know before you head to the airport.

Keep your eyes hydrated

Aircraft cabins can be a dry environment, which can dehydrate your eyes and make your contact lenses less comfortable than usual. It’s therefore important to try and keep your eyes hydrated while travelling in contact lenses on a plane.

ACUVUE^® contact lenses are specifically designed to retain moisture to help keep your eyes comfortable and fresh. You can also bring a travel-sized bottle or individual doses of rewetting drops on board with you.

Avoid falling asleep in your lenses

If your flight is scheduled overnight, remember to remove your contact lenses before sleeping¹. This is really important, as even a short nap in contact lenses can irritate the eyes.

 Follow recommended wear times

During long haul flights, be sure to follow the recommended advice on the pack, or from your eye care professional, on how long to wear your lenses.² You may want to consider applying a fresh pair of contact lenses when you reach your destination – making the most of any stunning views that greet you.

Yes, you can take contact lenses in your hand luggage when boarding a plane. Just remember to ensure that disposable content lens blister packs are sealed, and non-disposable lenses – such as 2 weekly or monthly contacts – are stored in no more than 100ml of solution.¹

All other liquids must be sealed in a clear transparent bag before boarding your flight.¹ So, if you are taking separate solutions or eye drops, please bear that in mind.

How to pack contact lenses when flying

Before boarding your flight, always ensure your contact lenses are safely stored away.

To help you do this as easily and effectively as possible, here are our top tips on how to pack contact lenses when flying:

• Take contact lenses in your carry-on luggage

When travelling with contact lenses, pack them in your carry-on luggage, rather than your suitcase. This goes for any spare contact lenses, eye glasses, contact lens cases and travel-size solutions too, as well as rewetting drops.

This way, you can easily access everything you may need during your flight – which can be especially important if you’re flying a long way. Storing your contact lenses in your carry-on luggage can also reduce the risk of them being damaged, or getting lost in transit. Just make sure you pop your solution in a resealable bag to prevent accidental spills.

• Pack an extra pair of contacts

We can all be guilty of ‘overpacking’ sometimes. That said, it always helps to be prepared, especially if you’re heading on a longer trip. Packing an extra pair of contact lenses, or two if you want to be especially cautious, can really give you peace of mind should you lose or damage your current pair.

• Consider daily disposable lenses

Switching to daily disposable lenses means you can avoid taking contact lens solutions and cases with you when travelling. Even if you normally wear reusable lenses, you can ask your eye care professional about trying disposable contacts, which are available for most prescriptions.

Aside from keeping your contacts clean, looking after your eyes while travelling is equally important.

Here are a few handy tips:

• Protect your eyes from the sun – If you’re travelling to a sunny spot, or skiing where the snow can get very bright, make sure your eyes are protected. You could invest in a high-quality pair of sunglasses to defend your eyes from harmful UV rays.¹ All ACUVUE^® contact lenses also have UV blocking to help provide protection against transmission of harmful UV radiation to the cornea and into the eye.
• Limit screen time – Schedule regular breaks from devices such as mobile phones and tablets to give your eyes a break and reduce the risk of eye strain.⁴ It is a holiday after all!
• Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water to keep your eyes hydrated and reduce dryness and irritation,⁵ maintaining contact lens comfort.
• Get a good night’s sleep – Lack of sleep can cause fatigue, which can lead to sore, irritated eyes.⁵ Ensure you’re getting enough sleep while travelling to give your eyes chance to recharge and refresh.⁵
• Use eye drops – Speak to your pharmacist about eye drops, as these can help reduce and prevent dry eyes while travelling.⁶

Remember, these are just general tips and advice. If you have any specific concerns, speak to your optician or eye care professional.

Travelling With Contacts: FAQs

Should I wear contact lenses on a long haul flight?

It’s fine to wear contact lenses on longer flights. Just always remember to follow the stated advice on how long you should wear your lenses for.²  Don’t exceed the recommended wear time, change your lenses if necessary, and if your flight is scheduled overnight, always take your contacts out before sleeping.²

Is contact lens solution considered a liquid when flying?

Yes, contact lens solution is considered a liquid when flying.¹ As such, if you’re travelling with contact lenses, ensure you transfer any solution to a travel sized bottle before flying.¹ Liquids must also be kept in a clear, resealable bag.¹