Travel Size Saline Solution - can't find

[Zandy595]

Does anyone know where I can buy a TSA approved bottle of saline solution for contacts? I can find all kinds of travel size disinfecting and all-purpose solutions, but not saline.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I've been able to buy some for DH in the travel bins at Target. A lot of time the boxes they sell at Costco of the full size come with a travel size too.

 

[wiigirl]

I've been able to buy some for DH in the travel bins at Target. A lot of time the boxes they sell at Costco of the full size come with a travel size too.

x2 for Target...they have almost everything travel sized.

 

[bcla]

Theoretically anything for a "medical need" can be exempt from the 100 ml limit within reason. A single 12 oz bottle should be OK. I've also been able to take on bottled water since we had a toddler with us. It usually went in some machine though for a special screening.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-carry-ons

Declare larger liquids. Medically required liquids, such as baby formula and food, breast milk and medications are allowed in excess of 3.4 ounces in reasonable quantities for the flight. It is not necessary to place medically required liquids in a zip-top bag. However, you must tell the Transportation Security Officer that you have medically necessary liquids at the beginning of the screening checkpoint process. Medically required liquids will be subjected to additional screening that could include being asked to open the container. We recommend, but do not require, that medication be labeled to facilitate the security process.

However, I don't know of much saline per se that will come in that small a bottle. The smallest I remember was 4 oz, which is above the limit.

 

[njmom47]

I have a 2 oz bottle that was given to me by my eye dr when I got my new contacts last time, so they're out there.

 

[AllisonK]

Does anyone know where I can buy a TSA approved bottle of saline solution for contacts? I can find all kinds of travel size disinfecting and all-purpose solutions, but not saline.

I've purchased it at CVS before - it's really expensive though, $12 for four, 3 oz. bottles.

I just bought a travel-sized shampoo bottle at Target and keep it filled with saline that I pour in from the regular sized bottle. I keep this in my purse and bring it with me when I travel and have had no problems going through security.

 

[Zandy595]

I've been able to buy some for DH in the travel bins at Target. A lot of time the boxes they sell at Costco of the full size come with a travel size too.

x2 for Target...they have almost everything travel sized.

Is this actual saline solution or multi-purpose solution? I've never seen saline in the travel section at my Target.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Is this actual saline solution or multi-purpose solution? I've never seen saline in the travel section at my Target.

I know we've gotten saline in the past, although I do think DH uses multi-purpose now. Maybe try your eye doctor for a few samples? Although I do think the PP is correct about it falling under the medical category, so it doesn't need to be so small.

 

[Zandy595]

Theoretically anything for a "medical need" can be exempt from the 100 ml limit within reason. A single 12 oz bottle should be OK. I've also been able to take on bottled water since we had a toddler with us. It usually went in some machine though for a special screening.



However, I don't know of much saline per se that will come in that small a bottle. The smallest I remember was 4 oz, which is above the limit.

I'm trying to find out directly from the TSA if larger bottles of saline are allowed.

 

[bcla]

I have a 2 oz bottle that was given to me by my eye dr when I got my new contacts last time, so they're out there.

Sounds more like a multipurpose solution. These are designed for cleaning, rinsing, and disinfection. I do understand some think of them as "saline".

 

[Zandy595]

Sounds more like a multipurpose solution. These are designed for cleaning, rinsing, and disinfection. I do understand some think of them as "saline".

DH refers to his ReNu as saline solution. I keep telling him it's not the same thing because I use actual saline to rinse the daily cleaner off my contacts. I use Clear Care, which is a peroxide disinfecting solution, not a multi-purpose solution.

 

[RitaE]

I see packs of three - 4oz bottles on Amazon and in the description it says "TSA Approved." It says it up on the corner of the box in the picture.

http://www.amazon.com/Unisol-Preservative-Saline-Solution-Ounce/dp/B000X1N15M/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_1

 

[Shagley]

According to their website, Walgreens should have it...

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/unisol-4-saline-solution-3-pack/ID=prod1558-product

The 4oz bottles will be fine. TSA has never questioned my contact fluid. I just keep all my medical items together and make sure to show them my bag of medical items so they don't think I am trying to sneak it by them. I even had my 12oz. bottle one time when I was taking carry on only, and they didn't say a word.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/medically-necessary-liquids

 

[Colleen27]

Contact lens solution is an exception to the 3oz rule because it is considered medically necessary. I travel with a 4oz bottle and have never had a problem - I toss it in with my other (TSA-sized) liquids and let the agent know it is there, but it has never gotten so much as a second glance.

 

[bcla]

The TSA limit has been 100 ml or 3.34 oz, but they're not exactly consistent on how they enforce it. The have the 3-1-1 rule for a 3 oz (100 ml actually) single container limit, everything must fit in a 1 quart plastic bag, and 1 plastic bag per traveler. Listerine travel sized mouthwash is actually listed at 95 ml. They also trust that the label is correct, although I'm pretty sure there's a bit of wiggle room in what might actually be over 100 ml.

I remember when the liquid explosives scare started in 2006, the original amount was 4 oz. I think for the most part 4 oz isn't going to cause too many issues. It's "security theater" to some degree and the TSA workers know it.

 

[bcla]

DH refers to his ReNu as saline solution. I keep telling him it's not the same thing because I use actual saline to rinse the daily cleaner off my contacts. I use Clear Care, which is a peroxide disinfecting solution, not a multi-purpose solution.

You of course don't want to be putting that stuff directly on your eyes. I remember all the peroxide solutions (ClearCare or AOSept) were marked with a red tip to warn about it.

 

[Fire14]

You maybe able to find saline solution in small containers at med supply store since it can used to cleaning wounds and as part of breathing treatments.

 

[bcla]

I see packs of three - 4oz bottles on Amazon and in the description it says "TSA Approved." It says it up on the corner of the box in the picture.

http://www.amazon.com/Unisol-Preservative-Saline-Solution-Ounce/dp/B000X1N15M/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_1

I don't think most eye docs would recommend Unisol except for specific uses. It's a non-preserved saline that will not stay sterile once the seal is broken. It's basically only recommended if someone is going to use up the entire bottle within a few hours or if using it for heat disinfection in a case with a positive seal. It might be OK if you're rinsing your lenses after cleaning and then placing it in a separate solution for disinfection. This would not be a good idea for rising just before inserting contacts in the eyes. It's really only marketed to those using heat disinfection, and any other use would be "off label".

http://ecatalog.alcon.com/PI/Unisol4_us_en.pdf

DESCRIPTION: UNISOL® 4 is a sterile buffered isotonic saline
solution. It is intended to provide a safe and convenient premixed
multiple-day supply of saline solution for rinsing your soft lenses
after cleaning before heat disinfection. UNISOL® 4 Saline Solution is
also a hydrating solution for use during heat disinfection and
afterwards during storage. Because UNISOL® 4 Saline Solution
contains no preservatives, it will not remain sterile indefinitely after
opening and, therefore, should not be used as an eyedrop. UNISOL®
4 Saline Solution is balanced to the same pH as your eye's natural
tears for superior comfort.


INDICATIONS (USES): Use UNISOL® 4 Saline Solution only to rinse
your lenses after cleaning, before heat disinfection, and to fill your
lens case before heat disinfection. After the lenses have been heat
disinfected, they are ready for wear without additional rinsing.
UNISOL® 4 Saline Solution is sterile prior to opening. If you need to
remove a lens to clean or wet it and replace it on your eye, use a
product specifically indicated for this purpose.

I do remember when there was nonpreserved saline in aerosol cans. Those stayed sterile because of the aerosol mechanism, and you could use those for a final rinse.

 

[bcla]

You maybe able to find saline solution in small containers at med supply store since it can used to cleaning wounds and as part of breathing treatments.

Those are not suitable for using on anything that you'd put on an eye. Optical saline is easy to find, and the TSA will allow it if meant for contact lenses.

 

[goofy4tink]

You don't have to have the travel sized contact solution. The TSA doesn't require it. My dd, 19, wears contacts, and takes her full sized solution in her carryon bag. Sometimes the TSA people say she can just leave it in her bag. Sometimes they tell her to just leave it out so it can be swabbed. But it has never been an issue. It falls under the medical needs category.