If you want totravel with medication , the question often arises as to how to transport it, especially if it is a flight. Many people rely on eye drops on a daily basis, and that is precisely why it is very important to know how to fly with them safely and legally. We have put together the most important things to look out for when taking eye drops on an airplane :
- Can you take eye drops on a plane?
- Are eye drops considered liquid under EASA regulations?
- Do you need a doctor's prescription to transport eye drops on an airplane?
- Can you take eye drops in your hand luggage?
- How do you keep eye drops cool when flying?
- And much more!
Similar article : Eye drop cooler bags: How can I keep my eye drops cool when traveling?
Can you take eye drops on an airplane?
Security screening is very stressful for many people, especially if you are carrying liquids or medication . But the EASA ( European Union for Aviation Safety ) has very clear guidelines when it comes to eye drops. No matter what type of eye drops you are carrying, whether medical or antibiotic , it is essential to understand how they will be handled during security screening .
Do eye drops count as liquid for EASA purposes?
The most common question is always whether eye drops are treated like normal liquids and subject to the same regulations. There are no specific quantities of liquids for checked baggage . Things are a little different for hand baggage, however. The normal regulations state that liquids must be transported in containers of no more than 100 ml. In addition, these containers must be kept in a transparent and resealable plastic bag that holds one liter.
Liquid medications such as eye drops are treated as normal liquids by EASA . However, there are exceptions that you should definitely be aware of:
- Liquid medicines such as eye drops that exceed the 100 ml limit may be carried as long as they are necessary for the flight . They must be presented separately at the security checkpoint and a doctor's certificate or prescription must be presented upon request.
- If you need to keep your eye drops cool during the flight, you are allowed to use ice packs or insulated cooler bags . These are controlled in the same way as liquids, but are permitted as long as they are absolutely necessary for medication cooling.
- There is no limit on the amount of liquid medication you can carry on a flight, but you should make sure you bring an adequate amount to last the duration of the flight and any additional travel delays.
Usually, most eye drops are available in bottles of 15 to 50 ml, so you don't have to worry about extra checks even if you take several bottles with you.
Prescription and non-prescription eye drops
According to EASA guidelines, it makes no difference whether the eye drops are prescription or not. As long as you can prove that they are absolutely necessary for the duration of the flight, both are allowed. As mentioned above, it is recommended to carry medication in its original packaging with a prescription or a doctor's note, especially for prescription drugs.
If you are travelling for a longer period of time and need a larger quantity of eye drops, you can also take them with you in your checked baggage, as the guidelines regarding liquids in checked baggage are very different. You can also buy the most common eye drops locally in most countries.
Flying with eye drops: Do I need a prescription?
In general, it is advisable to always carry a prescription or doctor's note when travelling with eye drops, especially if they require a prescription. We also recommend that you label the eye drop containers clearly so that security officials can more easily identify the liquid.
If you need to take your eye drops, possibly in large quantities, in your hand luggage, you always need a prescription. This is the only way these exceptions can be permitted.
However, the regulations for international flights vary from country to country, so it's best to have your prescription to hand so that nothing stands in the way of a smooth process at security.
Are eye drops allowed in hand luggage
Of course you can take eye drops with you in your hand luggage. It is even recommended , because then you have access to your drops throughout the flight. Especially on longer flights, the dry cabin air can really take its toll on your eyes.
It is not recommended to carry eye drops in checked baggage for the following reasons:
- Temperature : Eye drops are generally very sensitive to temperature. Extreme temperature fluctuations can occur in the cargo holds of aircraft, which can seriously affect the effectiveness and safety of your drops.
- Loss or delay : It is not uncommon for luggage to get lost, you end up on the wrong plane or your flight to be delayed. If you depend on your eye drops for important health reasons, any interruption in treatment can have undesirable consequences.
- Leakage or damage : Checked luggage is often handled with less than great care, meaning your eye drop bottles could be damaged. Carrying them in your carry-on baggage will ensure that your drops remain undamaged and safe for use.
Related article: Eye Drop Storage: Do Your Eye Drops Really Need to Be Stored in the Refrigerator?
Packing tips for eye drops on the plane?
Properly packaging your eye drops for airplane travel is important to ensure they remain sterile and effective during the flight, but it also ensures a smooth process at security. Here are a few tips:
- Container size : Make sure you are well informed about carrying liquids on your flight and carry the eye drops in the correct sized containers.
- Keeping eye drops cool while traveling : Keeping your drops cool during the flight can be a challenge. But we have a solution for that too. Use an insulated cooler bag that allows you to control the temperature at all times. Our travel cooler bags from 4AllFamily are all approved for air travel.
- Labeling : Clear labeling is always an advantage, especially during security checks, as it can avoid misunderstandings.
- Replacements : You never know what will happen during an airplane flight. Remember to bring replacements in case a bottle gets broken or otherwise lost.
- Zip-lock bags : As with other liquids you carry on your flight, it's important to transport your eye drops in a resealable plastic bag to prevent any spills from damaging other items.
- Prescription : It is always advisable to carry a medical certificate or prescription with you, this can save you a lot of trouble. International flights tend to have even stricter regulations.
- Airline guidelines : Even though EASA has established relatively uniform guidelines, we always recommend checking with the airline to see if they have specific guidelines for carrying liquid medication.
- Destination : Calculate the amount of eye drops you need carefully. Especially if you are travelling to a place where unlimited access to pharmacies is difficult or your eye drops are not sold, it is important to make sure you have enough with you.
The more time you put into preparing for your trip with eye drops, the more pleasant it will be.
Related article : Latanoprost Storage Tips: Recommendations for storing your eye drops in the refrigerator and at room temperature
We are happy to hear from them!
Feel free to share your questions, travel tips or personal stories below. We'd love to hear how you manage your eye drops while traveling by plane!
