contact lens wearers

Old Aug 14th, 2006, 07:55 AM
  #61  
 
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Does anyone have info on bringing several strips of DAILY WEAR, DISPOSABLE LENSES? Each lens sits in less than an ounce of liquid.
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Old Aug 14th, 2006, 07:55 AM
  #62  
lyb
 
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I think the people who think wearing contacts is vanity are the ones who could most likely function without wearing their glasses all the time. They don't seem to realize that some of us cannot function without some help.

Vanity trust me has nothing to do with it, and I have worn my glasses many times in public when I had a cold or allergies...I don't care about looks, I care about seeing...weird little quirk of mine...I like to see...
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Old Aug 14th, 2006, 09:06 AM
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I flew on the day of the London arrests, and though I threw away my little bottle of saline while I was in the security line, I did keep my contact case filled with saline in my shoulder bag. I was wearing my contacts, but I knew I would need to take them out on the plane. The TSA's either didn't see my contact case in my bag, or they didn't care. So I say bring your contact case w/ saline in it in your carry-on, but lose the bottle of saline.

Fyi, they also didn't care about my lip gloss.
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Old Aug 14th, 2006, 11:55 AM
  #64  
MaureenB
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I'll bet the allowance for carrying-on prescription medications would apply to contact lenses which are sealed in their original containers. You could take the written prescription itself, to be completely cautious.
 
Old Aug 14th, 2006, 12:28 PM
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Princess of Penguins, thank you for the "this is not vanity" rant. With a -13 prescription in one eye and -15 in the other, combined with a very severe astigmatism, my contacts are the only medical intervention that actually allow me to see ... with glasses not only do I get severe headaches due to the weight, but they cannot correct my vision sufficiently to enable me to function in public (I'm sure I could eventually adapt if necessary with the assistance of CNIB training, as do vision-impaired people whose sight cannot be corrected, should it reach the point where it is no longer possible to reasonably correct my vision with the contact lenses, but I am not there yet!). Glasses function only for the purpose of providing some assistance in navigating between the sink where I have removed and cleaned my lenses, and my bed, then back again in the morning.

Furthermore, I wear gas permeable lenses (not the soft kind that most contact lens wearers use) that must be specially ground (there is a lab here in my home city that makes them and it takes approximately 2 weeks to have them made) so the "off the shelf" and disposable options are not a possibility for me. Nor is purchasing generic saline solution at my destination an option - the solution I need to use is not saline but a special "conditioning" solution which can be difficult to find - my sister uses the same kind and when she lived in Asia for 2 years we had to ship it over to her as she could not get it there.

Yes, I can wear my glasses onto the plane as long as my husband or someone else is with me and can help me navigate the distance ... but the lenses must be stored in the case IN their conditioning solution, and there is no way I could risk checking them in rather than carrying them on with me.

It appears that I may be grounded, at least from lengthy overseas flights, unless and until this is resolved.
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Old Aug 14th, 2006, 12:40 PM
  #66  
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Travelgirl -

Thank you! People who have relatively good eyesight really can't understand the problems that those of us that have severely bad eyesight encounter. I, too, have very bad eyesight and have to have my contact lenses specially made. My eye doctor told me never to put my contacts in water. I am going to get a note from him and small bottles of sealed solution to try to take on board. I, too, have glasses that allow me to get from my bathroom sink to my bed, but not much further without difficulty. I am also in fear of the airlines losing my luggage if I put my contacts in my checked luggage. I'm not sure the airlines really understand the severity of this problem for some of us.
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Old Aug 14th, 2006, 12:52 PM
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MJN, it is my understanding that some things are left to the discretion of the TSA employee who will be searching your carry-on. If you have a doctor's note about being legally blind and have a special cane with you, you may be allowed to bring all solutions on-board.

I am so greateful I don't have to use contacts! Only glasses.
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Old Aug 14th, 2006, 01:11 PM
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On the Weather Channel this morning (which we all know is the authority on everything travel related LOL!), they said the rules have been relaxed to allow 4 ozs of OTC liquid meds. They specifically showed a bottle of contact solution as an example. I am not saying that WC is correct- just sharing what I saw. It sure would be nice, however, if it is true.

Diane
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Old Aug 14th, 2006, 01:22 PM
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YES!YES!YES! EdHodge, you're right! it's on the main page of TSA: 4 ounces of liquid medications permitted.

Still my allergy sprays are not

http://www.tsa.gov/
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Old Aug 14th, 2006, 02:45 PM
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I checked TSA right after I posted and did the happy dance. Now I can actually see when I get off the plane!
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Old Aug 14th, 2006, 02:47 PM
  #71  
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Forgive me if this has already been posted, but here's what I found on tsa site (which looks different from what I saw even this morning)

Exceptions
Under certain circumstances, some items from the list above are permitted. To help you understand more about these items and the circumstances under which they are permitted please read below.

Eye drops - You are allowed to carry up to 4 oz., of eye drops with you. Volumes greater than 4 oz., are only permitted in your checked baggage.
Gel Shoe Inserts - Gel shoe inserts are not permitted, but shoes constructed with gel heels are allowed and must be removed and screened.
Prescription and non-prescription medications and other medical needs
Saline solution - You are allowed to carry up to 4 oz., of eye drops with you. Volumes greater than 4 oz., are only permitted in your checked baggage.
Baby formula and food, breast milk and other baby items


 
Old Aug 14th, 2006, 03:19 PM
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I too am helpless without contact lenses. My eyesight was so poor at the age of 9 that I began wearing contacts and now, 17 years later, well let's just say that I cannot function with just glasses. I've very relieved to hear about the 4 oz. saline exception.

And to anyone who thinks it is a vanity issue, imagine navigating an airport with a paper bag over your head. And to make it realistic, let's say that you have no training in using a cane or any other apparatus to maneuver. Then come back and attempt to say that the concern about lenses is vanity!
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Old Aug 14th, 2006, 03:43 PM
  #73  
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What Princess, Franco, MJN, and Texas said. Amen!

(Me five!)
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