All you need to know about flying with contact lenses

There are many restrictions at airports, and it's important to be aware of our rights and obligations.
If you wear contact lenses, you may wonder whether you are allowed to wear them during the flight.
Here are the rules in force concerning contact lenses and whether or not it is advisable to wear them during air travel.

Wearing contact lenses on airplanes

It is naturally possible to wear contact lenses when travelling by plane, in the same way as for hearing aids.
The world's airport authorities allow necessary health equipment to be worn and carried in luggage.
However, it is important to know that wearing contact lenses on a plane can sometimes be unpleasant.
In fact, at high altitude, the pressurised cabin air and air conditioning can tend to dehydrate the eyes.
As a result, wearing contact lenses can become more difficult, as this equipment requires good ocular hydration.
Contact lens wearers may then experience mild to severe discomfort because of this eye dryness.
They may also find it more difficult to remove their visual equipment afterwards.
Recycled air in aircraft can also expose contact lens wearers in particular to eye infections.
Finally, prolonged contact lens wear, such as on long-haul flights, can lead to eye fatigue.
All these factors may explain why some users might prefer to wear glasses when flying.

Rules and advice regarding flying with contact lenses

As we have seen, as with hearing aids, contact lenses can be worn when travelling by plane.
If you are travelling with your contact lenses, it is advisable to drink plenty of water to maintain a good level of hydration.
You can also apply a few drops of moisturising eye drops during the flight.
You should also remove your contact lenses beforehand if you plan to sleep during the journey.
When they are not being worn, disposable contact lenses can also be carried in hand luggage or in a suitcase going into the hold.
To be transported in accordance with the rules in force on flights, disposable contact lenses must be in a sealed blister pack.
Other rules apply to non-disposable contact lenses, such as monthly ones, which must be carried in their solution.
These can be immersed in a minimum quantity of solution, so that it does not exceed the quantity of liquid accepted in the aircraft.
For this reason, contact lenses in their box should be placed in a plastic bag like all liquids and carried in hand luggage.
The same applies to the liquid solution dedicated to the lenses that you will be carrying.
Finally, it is advisable to ensure that the plastic bag or bottle is well sealed so that no liquid spills out.