When traveling with atropine eye drops, keep your medications within the recommended temperature range. Take them with you in your carry-on luggage and bring cooling pouches. Enjoy your journey!
Summer holidays are a time for families to embark on exciting adventures, discover new destinations, or revisit beloved locales. However, for those of us who need to travel with eye drops such as atropine or artificial tears, it is important to ensure they are kept within the recommended temperature range during your travel.
In this article, we will explore important factors to consider when traveling with eye drops. We will also share real-life experiences of temperature monitoring while carrying these drops in both carry-on and check-in luggage. Additionally, we will provide practical tips to help you ensure that your children's eye drops remain within the appropriate temperature range as you journey toward your final destination.
Storage conditions of eye drops
Eye drops, including atropine or artificial tears, should be stored within a specific temperature range to maintain their effectiveness. The recommended storage temperature for many eye drops is between 59°F and 77°F (15-25°C).Â
Some eye drop formulations have been tested and confirmed to remain stable at temperatures up to 86°F (30°C), while others may have a lower limit of 36°F (2°C). Therefore, it's essential to check the specific instructions provided with the eye drops you are using.
Once you have opened a bottle of eye drops, it is generally advised to store them in the fridge and discard them after 28 days.Â
In situations where a factory-sealed eye drop is exposed to temperatures slightly outside the recommended range for a brief period, the impact on its effectiveness is unlikely to be significant. However, it is crucial to avoid exposing eye drops to extreme temperatures, such as leaving them in the car without air conditioning.
It's worth noting that low-concentration atropine eye drops in the US and many other countries are often prepared by compound pharmacies, which means they may not have undergone the same stability testing as the original formulation.Â
In such cases, you may want to verify with your compound pharmacy the appropriate storage temperatures and conditions for traveling and adhere to them.
Can I bring eye drops on a plane?Â
When preparing for a flight and carrying eye drops, familiarizing yourself with the related security screening regulations may save you from worries or headaches.Â
Similar to the regulations in the United States, many countries permit passengers to carry any number of liquids, gels, and aerosols in 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller-sized containers as long as they fit in a transparent quart-sized bag (1 liter).1,2,3Â Your eye drops, usually 5 ml, could easily be included as one of the items.Â
As a side note, the volume of the container matters instead of the amount of liquid it contains. Based on my experience going through Heathrow Airport, the UK enforces the container limitation quite strictly compared to the US. There was an instance when I had to throw away 4.2 oz (125 ml) bottles of contact solution at Heathrow Airport because the container was 1 oz (25 ml) over the limit.
For most countries, eye drop medications may even be exempt from the typical container volume restrictions if they are medically necessary and accompanied by appropriate documentation or labeling, such as a prescription or a doctor's note. Additionally, cooling gel packs intended for medically necessary items may be brought into the cabin.4,5
It is always recommended to verify the specific security regulations of your destination country and consult with the airline or relevant authorities to ensure compliance with any additional requirements or restrictions that may be applicable.
How does the temperature change in luggage during travel?Â
To determine the most appropriate method for traveling with eye drops and identify potential areas of concern, I conducted some testing using a temperature sensor - a Govee hygrometer thermometer. The goal was to assess whether storing atropine in carry-on or fully packaged check-in luggage would offer better temperature control.Â
During the initial part of my journey from the East to West Coast in the US, which involved taking a ride to the airport in an air-conditioned vehicle, going from the check-in counter to the boarding gate, and storing my luggage in an overhead bin on the plane, the temperature inside my carry-on remained between 70 and 74°F (21 to 23.3°C). This range falls within the recommended storage temperature for atropine – 59°F to 77°F (15-25°C).Â
It is important to note for this result, I avoided exposing the luggage to direct sunlight, and I predominantly stayed in air-conditioned environments.Â
However, during the second part of my trip, I placed the sensor in my checked-in luggage. I observed that the temperature inside the luggage fluctuated to a greater extent.
Throughout the entire door-to-door journey, which included car rides to the airport and the final destination, as well as the 12-hour flight to Taiwan, the temperature inside the fully packed luggage (mostly containing clothes) ranged between 65 and 71°F (18.5 to 21.2°C). Again, these temperatures fall within the recommended range for storing atropine.
Despite the fact that external temperatures can drop to freezing levels at altitudes above 8,000 feet (about 2,400 meters), the temperature inside the luggage was maintained close to room temperature throughout, possibly due to the cargo hold’s environmental control.
Furthermore, my softshell luggage appeared to be acceptably insulated from the external environment. Even though our final destination was quite warm, it took approximately 1.5 hours for the temperature inside the luggage to rise to 77°F (25°C) after being exposed to a non-air conditioned environment that was 86°F (30°C). This provided ample time for me to transfer the eye drops to a fridge.
Based on this experience, under optimal conditions, both carry-on and checked-in luggage can be used for transporting atropine eye drops during travel when they are kept in an air-conditioned environment out of direct sunlight.Â
Practical tips for traveling with eye drops
- Carry your eye drops in your carry-on luggage: I’d recommend you carry your eye drops in carry-on luggage instead of checking them in. By doing so, you can ensure more stable temperatures for your medication, have immediate access to it when needed, and avoid the risk of losing it due to misplaced or delayed luggage.Â
- Bring a cooling pouch: If you are traveling to a destination with a warm climate, it is advisable to obtain a cooling pouch, which is also called a cooling wallet. A cooling pouch is a convenient way to maintain the desired temperature for eye drops. They can effectively keep your eye drops cool within the range of 18-26°C (64.4-78.8°F) for up to two days. Further, they are easy to use. To activate a cooling wallet, simply soak it in water for 5-10 minutes.
- Ensure your hotel room has a fridge:Â It is important to reserve a hotel room that has a fridge, especially in warm climates. Upon arrival, check the temperature settings of the fridge to ensure it is suitable for storing your eye drops. Once opened, store your eye drops in the fridge. In case the fridge is not functioning properly, a cooling pouch could be a good backup plan.
- Check security regulations and consult relevant authorities: In general, it is a good practice to check the security regulations regarding bringing medication on board a plane, especially visiting a new country. Consult with the airline or relevant authorities to ensure compliance with any additional requirements or restrictions that may be in place.
- Use a thermometer for temperature monitoring (Optional):Â For peace of mind, and to closely monitor the temperature of your medication, you may choose to use a thermometer. Opt for one with a remote sensor for added convenience.
Key takeaways
As you get ready to embark on your much-awaited summer vacation, don't let the concern over how to travel with eye drops overwhelm you. By knowing the storage conditions of the eye drops, understanding security regulations, and following suggested practical tips to keep the eye drops within the recommended temperature range, it can be a smooth and worry-free experience.
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Interested in related articles?
1. How to travel with serum eye drops for dry eye?
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