Flying with lens solution

[Eddie S]

Hi all,

Ok, here's a brain teaser for you.. although I'm hoping some of you will have already solved it.

Next week I fly to Dublin for Work. In one day, back the next.

As I'm only there for such a short while and will be flying into Dublin late in the evening, I don't want to have to put any luggage in the hold.

For hand luggage the restriction is now 100ml for any liquid and the smallest quantity I can get my solution in is 250ml.

I'm thinking about therefore putting my solution into a separate clear bottle. I can't put it into a spare lens case as the case itself neutralises the solution (I wear softperms and use a 1 step solution).

Problem is if I get spare bottle(s) they wont be steralised. Is this an issue? Can I steralise them easily? Or should I get a really big catapult and shoot the lens solutions across from Liverpool hoping i'll find them (in the dark) when I get there

I've also thought about putting my lenses into the case for the flight but then I wont be able to see until the next morning - Not being able to see I may end up sitting with the pilot or ending up in Cork!

Any suggestions kindly accepted.

Thankye.

[GarethB]

Eddie,

For RGP lenses, BOOTS do a travel kit, the conditioner is 60ml and the cleaner is 15 ml and the saline you can get from them in 120 ml bottles and just squirt some out. Sure they must do one for soft lenses too.

Many duty free shops also sell contact lens solutions so this is a posibility.

Then there is explaining the situation to the people you are visiting and have them get the solutions for you.

Sterilisation is possible by using a Milton cold sterilising solution and then rinse this out well with saline. You may also be able to get a sterile sample bottle from your GP if you explain the situation.

Hope this helps.

[Amarpal]

I'm going on holiday soon too. However, I have read on the BAA website that you arent allowed to take any bottles over 100ml even if partially full: check on baa.com.

I found a bottle of AMO Moisture Plus which is only 60ml. Im not sure what to do about saline though.

[Louise Pembroke]

Yes I've heard of people offering to skirt out a few mls and it still doesn't satisfy them and it's not possible to get saline under 120 mls grrr!

[Pat A]

Amarpal
You can get saline in individual phials of I think 10 or 20ml- Probably a very expensive way of buying it but would tied you over for a few days. I can't remember which website I found it on (only yesterday as it happens!) but I am sure a good "google" will find it!
And depending on which airport you are flying from, there may well be a "Boots" air side and they sell saline. Once you have gone through to air side you can buy and take on board larger quantities. Worth checking perhaps before you fly?

[rosemary johnson]

Anidose comes in smallish tubes that will be well within the 100ml limit.
I'd suggest:
1. get in touch with the airline and ask them how they would suggest you tackle this problem. DOn't take "this is the rules, it's up to you as an answer and keep asking to speak to a manager until you get a sensible response.
2. book in as a passenger with a disability who lneeds special assistance at the airports and/or on board if you think you might be doing any of the journey without lenses. This sometimes works better than other times, but should mean they'll meet you, escort you onto the plane and make sure you find the right seat etc, alook after you on the flight, and escort you off the plane and ehlp you to where you're going to. SOmetimes this means someone turns up with a wheelchair (!)); I've also been met with some very helpful people who've driven me round Son VIP buggies, sterred me through all the formalities and got me onto the train at the far end, and even iwanted to phone ahead to the station I was going to, to fix up help when I arrived.
Rosemary

[Lesley Foster]

I have flown a few times since the restrictions have come in.

I use Quattro and Miraflow for cleaning my lenses and saline for rinsing. My local optician ordered me a 100ml bottle of Quattro and also sells 120ml bottles of saline. The bottles are both the same size!

I haven't had any problems taking them on the plane however I do have a covering letter just in case.
As a precaution on long flights I let the cabin crew know if I am taking out my lenses so they are aware that I would need help in an emergency.

Hope that helps.

Lesley.

[Amarpal]

OK, I have a new problem. I;m away on holiday tomorrow. I had my lens solutions prepared. I bought a 60ml bottle of AMO Complete Moisture Plus, but I just read about how it has been recalled. As a precaution I cant use this solution anymore. Does anyone know where I could get a 100ml or less? Ill need to get it quick in the morning, otherwise I will have to rely on the shops past security.

I didnt get a letter from my practitioner because I had the 60ml bottle, but now that I cant use it, Im stuck. So help please!

Thanks

[Andrew MacLean]

Try Tesco, or you might even find a boots. Sorry I can't be mor dfinitive. Have a great holiday: with your exams behind you, you ought to be able to relax.

Andrew

[GarethB]

Boots most definitly do a travel pack for hard lenses, although it has Boots all over it, they are actually made by Baush and Lomb. A bottle of cleaner and a bottle of wetting/conditioning solution. The volume of both is well under 100 ml's.