Michael Turner
Store sealed blister packs or a manufacturer travel case in carry-on baggage rather than checked baggage. Accessibility during screening speeds X‑ray checks and reduces risk of temperature or pressure changes that can damage sealed units. Keep primary and spare supplies together so a single inspection covers both.
Security rules at major airports accept medically necessary eye products through passenger screening. Liquids over 100 ml are usually subject to extra inspection but are often allowed when declared as medical liquids; carry a copy of the prescription or a clinician’s note showing need and product details (brand, lot, expiry) to minimize delays.
Packing checklist: original sealed packaging with prescription information, travel‑size saline ≤100 ml, one compact hard case for opened inserts, a spare sealed supply for each travel day, and printed prescription or clinician letter. Verify airline and destination regulations before departure and photograph lot and expiry details in case of loss or customs questions.
If replacement solution exceeds screening limits, either transfer required amounts into containers within the 100 ml limit, obtain supply at destination, or place the full bottle in checked baggage; declare oversized medical liquids at the checkpoint when requested. For long trips, consult the carrier’s medical-device policy and local customs rules to avoid confiscation.
Carry-on rules for sealed single-use eye inserts by major aviation authorities
Store sealed single-use eye inserts in carry-on baggage; blister wells containing saline are treated as liquids and must comply with each regulator’s liquid rules or be declared as medically necessary at screening.
United States (TSA / FAA)
3-1-1 rule applies: individual liquid containers must be 100 mL (3.4 fl oz) or smaller and all such containers placed together in a single quart-sized clear bag for screening. Sealed blister packs with minimal solution typically qualify within this allowance; bottles of saline larger than 100 mL are allowed only as medically necessary items if declared at the security checkpoint and will undergo additional screening.
Keep original packaging visible, carry a brief written note or prescription for medically necessary solutions over 100 mL, and present those items separately during security inspection.
European Union (EASA), United Kingdom (CAA) and other national authorities
Most EU member states and the UK follow the 100 mL limit for liquids in cabin baggage; saline in blisters counts toward that limit. Medical exemptions exist: larger volumes of medically required liquids are permitted when declared and screened. Local variations apply (for example, some airports request clinical proof for unusually large quantities), so check the departure airport’s guidance before travel.
Best practice: retain factory seals, pack blister packs in an accessible pocket of the cabin bag, separate any larger solution bottles and declare them at security, and carry prescription documentation or a clinician’s note when transporting volumes above the standard limit.
How to pack blister packs to pass airport security
Keep all blister packs in their original sealed foil strips and place them inside a single clear resealable plastic bag (max ~1 L) positioned at the top of the carry-on cabin bag for easy access during screening.
Packing specifics
Retain original boxes that show prescription details, power and expiry dates; keep a paper or digital copy of the prescription or optometrist note accessible on a phone. Pack the number of replacement days required for the trip plus three extra days to cover delays. Use a small rigid case or a padded pill organizer to prevent crushing; for long flights or hot climates store packs away from direct heat sources and do not stow in checked baggage if temperature exposure is a concern.
Security interaction and placement
Place the resealable bag with blister packs in an outer compartment or top pocket of the carry-on so screening staff can inspect without emptying the entire bag. If a pack is opened, isolate used inserts in a separate small case and keep the opened foil with the original box to show contents. Present prescription or box on request; clear labeling and original packaging reduce the chance of secondary inspection. For short trips, keep the pouch inside a compact daypack such as best mini backpack for travel to combine accessibility and protection.
Opened ocular inserts and storage cases in cabin baggage
Keep opened ocular inserts in a hard protective case inside a clear resealable 1‑litre plastic bag; carry multi‑dose solution in labeled bottles of 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less to pass standard checkpoints, and bring a written prescription or clinician’s letter when transporting volumes above that.
Screening and documentation
Declare medically necessary eye-care liquids above 100 ml at the security point and present bottles separately from electronics and clothing. Expect visual inspection and possible chemical swabbing of solution bottles and cases; labeled containers and original manufacturer labels speed processing. A dated prescription or short clinician note describing the product name, required volume and medical need reduces the likelihood of confiscation or delay.
Packing and in-flight handling
Use rigid storage cases to prevent crushing and secondary spill containment such as screw-cap bottles inside a zip-seal bag. Empty and air-dry storage cases before passing through x‑ray to minimise contamination concerns; refill with fresh solution after screening. For longer trips, carry an extra sealed bottle and a spare clean case. Never rinse cases with plain tap water; use only the recommended solution and replace solution daily during travel. Store all items in cabin baggage rather than checked baggage to avoid heat exposure and pressure changes that compromise sterility.
Ocular solution and liquids allowance: permitted sizes and declarations
Store ocular cleaning solution in bottles of 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) or less inside a single transparent resealable 1‑litre (quart) bag for carry-on baggage; containers larger than 100 ml belong in checked baggage or must be declared as medical liquids at the security checkpoint.
Regulatory specifics and practical steps:
- United States (TSA): standard 3.4 oz (100 ml) limit applies to carry-on liquids; medically necessary liquids above 3.4 oz are permitted but must be declared before screening and are subject to additional inspection.
- European Union and United Kingdom: 100 ml / 1‑litre bag rule for cabin baggage; medical liquids exceeding 100 ml allowed after declaration and separate screening.
- Australia and other jurisdictions: follow the 100 ml rule for cabin carriage; local exceptions for medically required liquids exist–declare at security and expect further checks.
- Duty‑free purchases: larger bottles bought airside are allowed if kept in sealed tamper‑evident bags with receipt; retain the sealed bag for transfer through connecting checkpoints–opening may void the exemption.
Recommended documentation and packaging:
- Keep original packaging and manufacturer labels when possible to show contents;
- Carry a prescription or clinician’s note stating medical necessity and typical volume used per day–useful but not always mandatory;
- For volumes >100 ml, transfer to certified travel bottles labeled with exact volume and product name if checked baggage is not an option;
- Place all small bottles in a single transparent resealable bag and remove it from carry-on for X‑ray screening as instructed by security staff.
Typical inspection procedures:
- Declare medical liquids at the start of the security process so staff can advise the correct lane;
- Expect separate X‑ray screening and possible hand inspection or explosive‑trace swab of the liquid container;
- Opened bottles over 100 ml will usually require declaration and may be tested; refusal to allow testing may lead to confiscation.
Practical alternatives when larger volumes are needed:
- Buy travel‑size solution bottles (≤100 ml) and refill from the larger bottle at home;
- Purchase sealed solution after security or onboard (including at duty free when sealed with receipt);
- Place the full‑size bottle in checked baggage if transport of larger quantity is unavoidable.
Necessary documentation and prescriptions to avoid problems
Carry a printed, signed prescription and a clinician’s medical letter in cabin baggage; include the original sealed packaging with visible brand, power values and expiry, plus a high-resolution photo and a PDF copy stored in email or cloud for quick presentation.
What the prescription must show
Full passenger name, date of issue and expiry (aim for one year or less), sphere/ cylinder/ axis values for each eye, base curve and diameter where applicable, product brand, prescriber’s name, clinic address and contact number, and an ink signature or clinic stamp. If prescription includes a numeric power, include the +/− sign and decimal (example: −2.50).
Special documentation and international tips
For cross-border trips add an English translation or a certified translation into the destination language; a clinician’s letter stating medical necessity for therapeutic or extended-wear devices exempts related liquids from 100 ml limits when presented at security. Minors should carry a parental authorization letter plus proof of relationship (copy of birth certificate) and the child’s prescription. Before departure confirm validity period accepted by carrier and destination authority, and keep all paperwork both printed and accessible electronically. For unrelated pet-travel prep see how to keep dog from climbing chain link fence.
Steps to take if security staff question eye inserts or solution
Present prescription and original packaging immediately.
Place all relevant items in a separate tray for X-ray screening; remove any outer cases so labels and expiry dates are visible.
Request a private screening room for inspections requiring handling out of public view; request presence of a supervisor if handling is refused or items are to be discarded.
When solution volume is queried, show the capacity stamped on the bottle (typical allowance for screening is 100 ml / 3.4 fl oz per container for carry-on liquids) and the manufacturer label; offer to transfer the bottle to checked baggage or surrender it if regulations require.
If sealed blister packs are challenged, indicate the seal and expiry date; open only on direct instruction from an inspector and in sight of a supervisor.
If an explosive residue swab or chemical test is performed, request a witness and insist on return of items after testing or a written reason for permanent seizure.
Obtain a written seizure receipt for any confiscated item: include item description, serial/lot numbers if present, staff name and badge number, time, location, and a contact for airport lost & found or the screening authority.
If denial of carriage or boarding occurs because of these items, request airline assistance for replacement at destination and copy of the incident report; keep digital photos of prescriptions and packaging to forward to airline or regulators.
Keep copies of relevant medical documentation accessible on a mobile device and a printed backup in checked baggage when possible; when travelling in inclement weather, store a compact umbrella in carry-on: best tarvel umbrella
| Item to present | Purpose | Suggested short phrase for staff |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription document (physical or digital) | Verifies medical need and ownership | “Prescription issued to [name], date [dd/mm/yyyy].” |
| Original packaging / blister pack | Shows manufacturer, lot, expiry | “Sealed blister pack – manufacture label visible.” |
| Solution bottle with label | Confirms volume and ingredients | “Bottle capacity is [XX] ml, label visible for screening.” |
| Seizure receipt (if given) | Required for complaints and recovery | “Please provide written receipt with staff details.” |
If unsatisfied with on-site resolution, lodge a formal complaint with the screening authority (TSA/CAA/EASA or local equivalent) using incident details and copies of receipts; retain all records for follow-up claims or replacements at destination.
