What are contact lenses wearers to do?

[kwdietrich1]

I can't see well at all in my glasses (they are my prescription, but with my astimagtism it's no use). But I need to fly with rewetting drops, because my eyes dry out. I would just deal with it, but when you put contact lenses in their case in checked luggage, the pressure in the cargo area causes the lense solution to leak out of the case and the contacts shrivel and dry out. My optometrist always told me to always carry on my contacts if not wearing them. What to do?

I don't fly for several more months, but perhaps carry-on screening could become more sophisticated to detect explosives, so we someday may be able to carry on tolitries again. I am thankful for the extra security, but this is going to be a pain.

 

[CarolA]

Don't worry about today's "security" measures. They are 99.9% guranteed to change

Give it at least a week and then decide if you need to worry. (And if they decide that the amount of liquid in contact case is dangerous then I would think about calling your elected officals. LOL! Common sense will break out.)

 

[Simba's Mom]

I can't see well at all in my glasses (they are my prescription, but with my astimagtism it's no use). But I need to fly with rewetting drops, because my eyes dry out. I would just deal with it, but when you put contact lenses in their case in checked luggage, the pressure in the cargo area causes the lense solution to leak out of the case and the contacts shrivel and dry out. My optometrist always told me to always carry on my contacts if not wearing them. What to do?

I don't fly for several more months, but perhaps carry-on screening could become more sophisticated to detect explosives, so we someday may be able to carry on tolitries again. I am thankful for the extra security, but this is going to be a pain.

Ditto here! And it's a common problem. Just don't do what several passengers on DH's flight tried to do today. They thought that once through security, they'd be OK, so after having had to throw away their contact solution at security, they bought another container at one of the little stores inside security, by the gates. Surprise! Another bag check before they got on the airplane, so the newly bought contact lens solution was confiscated too. What a pain! The Director of Homeland Security was on TV tonight, and he said that once they determine how to tell what exact substances to look for, rules will be loosened again. I wonder what decade that might happen? Sorry to be negative, but I'm pretty discouraged right now.

 

[bavaria]

Carol has good advice.

I always wore my contacts, until last year when my eyes rebelled. Now I wear my glasses while flying, and check my contacts. (Contacts cannot correct my astigmatism, my glasses do....) Not sure what your optometrist told you - I never have that problem when checking my contacts. (68,000 miles flown year to date, can't recall one time that they dried out) If you use the 'hanging' style of case, try the flat style with screw on tops, and screw them on tightly.

If you wear disposables, plan your schedule so that you start a new pair when you arrive. Put the new pair in your checked luggage and you won't need to worry about leakage.

 

[ducklite]

Another poster posted a little while ago that she was allowed to keep some saline solution in the lens case, so you can take them off and put them in there if you need to. You just can't carry on an entire bottle.

Anne

 

[FINFAN]

DD and DH wear disposable soft lenses, I wear gas -perms. We are flying United tomorrow. I was told that DD and DH CANNOT bring their spare lenses that are in SEALED packages in their carryons..they must be checked. I also need wetting drops for my eyes, but can put my lenses in a case w/water in a pinch. The final kicker was that a case for our glasses was an uncertainty, to put them in a baggie and carry them on. Now I have seen reports that you can carry an eyeglass case, and a contact case w/a little solution in it....but the bottom line is to be prepared to put said items in a checked luggage bag if needed...end of story. DD an I both have the astigmatism issue...in a nutshell our glasses are not much of an improvement for sight...DH can see pretty well thru his....and we are on DME as well, who knows when we will see our contact solutions and lenses? I have thought about putting one bag w/out the yellow DME tag and getting t and putting it on the bus,but this is our first time using DME, so the less I mess w/it the better. We are due to land around 6pm if our flight takes off basically when it is supposed to , but I am adding 2 hours to it. Hopefully shops will be open if we need them at MCO or POP.


Pam

 

[CarolA]

Ditto here! And it's a common problem. Just don't do what several passengers on DH's flight tried to do today. They thought that once through security, they'd be OK, so after having had to throw away their contact solution at security, they bought another container at one of the little stores inside security, by the gates. Surprise! Another bag check before they got on the airplane, so the newly bought contact lens solution was confiscated too. What a pain! The Director of Homeland Security was on TV tonight, and he said that once they determine how to tell what exact substances to look for, rules will be loosened again. I wonder what decade that might happen? Sorry to be negative, but I'm pretty discouraged right now.

This just makes me FURIOUS! The airports better get their act in gear NOW. They SOLD it to someone at the airport AFTER is passed security and now you can't carry it on. What I want to say is banned on the DIS!!!!

I am sorry, but if they dont' think those items in the "Sterile" zone are secure WHAT ARE THEY DOING THERE?? Either you screened them and they are fine are you didn't in which case you are incompetent and should be fired! Which is it?? The TSA's whole "safety" plan has a few MAJOR flaws... Apparently ou are only safe while at the screening zone since the items at the shops at the gate can't be trusted!!!!

 

[kwdietrich1]

Well I do hope the rules will relax. As far as checking my contacts, I won't. The reason my doc told me not to check my lenses, is in response me telling him that after twice putting my contacts in checked luggage, the solution leaked. Once was in a tightly secured flat case, and the other was from a FACTORY FOILED SEALED case of new lenses. Perhaps I am just unlucky and both times were flukes.

I won't worry too much. I suspect they will have to make accomodations for these type of situations in the future. Or we'll drive or take the auto train! I'm a flexible person!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

The problem is that they can't tell the difference between a "secure" liquid purchased inside security and one that was missed at the screening. Hence the need for the second screening before you board the plane.

-- Suzanne

 

[CarolA]

The problem is that they can't tell the difference between a "secure" liquid purchased inside security and one that was missed at the screening. Hence the need for the second screening before you board the plane.

-- Suzanne

BINGO. You just hit one of the "security flaws" on the head.

However, they won't admit that.. According to the folks at Homeland Secuirity you can't get a liquid past the first screening......

 

[kwdietrich1]

I heard on PrimeTime ABC that there exists advanced equipment ( and is actually used at 90 airports around the world) that can detect explosives at the security check points on people and in carry ons. Now, my question is, why don't more airports have this type of equipment installed at EVERY airport? Is guess it is because of $$$.

 

[pilgrimage]

Hi KWD,
This sophisticated equipment does not (yet) detect the materials
used in this liquid explosive. Peroxide, a form of acetone similar
to nail polish remover, according to a TV show, were two of the materials
which could be part of the damaging concoction.

I send gratitude to those who foiled this plot.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Yea its gonna be hassle but if increased security measures are needed then so be it. Just will learn to live with it. These changs were made in a matter of hours so give them a week or so to work everything out.

Matt

 

[pigby]

I am travelling from the UK in a weeks time and have the same dilemma - only wear the hard type lens - glasses not much good but I'm taking them in my clear plastic bag with my wallet and travel documents anyway! Another dilemma is whether to risk packaging camcorder and digital camera in our suitcases, but that's another story.

 

[delilah]

The problem is that they can't tell the difference between a "secure" liquid purchased inside security and one that was missed at the screening. Hence the need for the second screening before you board the plane.

-- Suzanne

Typically, when I buy a new bottle of contact lense solution or rewetting drops, it comes in a box with a safety seal that indicates whether it has been tampered with plus, inside the box, another safety band around the cap. If you are carrying a sealed box of eyedrops in a bag with a receipt from the shop at the airport, who would be so naive as to think you would have the equipment to apply seals that are identical to those by pharmaceutical manufacturers. The original point to the safety seals was to prevent tampering before sale to the consumer. Remember the tylenol poisonings several years ago?

 

[ducklite]

This just makes me FURIOUS! The airports better get their act in gear NOW. They SOLD it to someone at the airport AFTER is passed security and now you can't carry it on. What I want to say is banned on the DIS!!!!

I am sorry, but if they dont' think those items in the "Sterile" zone are secure WHAT ARE THEY DOING THERE?? Either you screened them and they are fine are you didn't in which case you are incompetent and should be fired! Which is it?? The TSA's whole "safety" plan has a few MAJOR flaws... Apparently ou are only safe while at the screening zone since the items at the shops at the gate can't be trusted!!!!

My thoughts exactly!

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Other DIS'ers have reported that they were allowed to fill the wells in their lens cases before tossing the solution. The TSA isn't worried about that .10 ounce. they are worried about larger amounts. And you will be able to carry new Accuevue or similar contacts. Again they aren't worried about that wee bit of solution. You will not be able to carry on new in the box solution, even if it's sealed. Only what fits in the well of your lens case.

I would suggest only carrying on one, maybe two extra pair of Accuvue's or similar, check the rest--they aren't going to leak or dry out in their factory sealed containers.

Anne

 

[safetymom]

I think they aren't going to rush to relax the rule. It's easier for them to say no to something than take the time to examine it.

Give it a bit and you will see an uproar and then they will change the rules.

I am glad I am not flying for awhile.

 

[ducklite]

I think they aren't going to rush to relax the rule. It's easier for them to say no to something than take the time to examine it.

Give it a bit and you will see an uproar and then they will change the rules.

I am glad I am not flying for awhile.

Lucky you. I'm going into a period of lots of flights... And if there's a fire sale like there was after September 11, I'll add a few more. In fact I need to go print boarding passes. Ciao!

Anne

 

[Disneynutbsv]

I was thinking about this as well! I wear contacts, but figured I might as well wear my glasses down and back. I'll just check my contacts (which I always bring extra anyway. I've never had a problem with my contacts before being in my luggage.