testing eye drops
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 20
testing eye drops
on another forum that i belong this was posted
"My DH takes sealed bottles of eyedrops ( for glaucoma) with a prescription. Last year they opened them all and tested them with some chemicals. I completely understand why they were tested, but they do have a limited shelf life once opened.
This year he will be putting some in his case rather than carrying the whole supply"
can they open medication like this and put something in them to test it, would not like to put the drops in my eyes after they have contaminated the drops with an unknown substance
"My DH takes sealed bottles of eyedrops ( for glaucoma) with a prescription. Last year they opened them all and tested them with some chemicals. I completely understand why they were tested, but they do have a limited shelf life once opened.
This year he will be putting some in his case rather than carrying the whole supply"
can they open medication like this and put something in them to test it, would not like to put the drops in my eyes after they have contaminated the drops with an unknown substance
#2
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: DEN, or so it says...
Programs: UA1K/RCC, Avis CHM, NWA Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 2,876
on another forum that i belong this was posted
"My DH takes sealed bottles of eyedrops ( for glaucoma) with a prescription. Last year they opened them all and tested them with some chemicals. I completely understand why they were tested, but they do have a limited shelf life once opened.
This year he will be putting some in his case rather than carrying the whole supply"
can they open medication like this and put something in them to test it, would not like to put the drops in my eyes after they have contaminated the drops with an unknown substance
"My DH takes sealed bottles of eyedrops ( for glaucoma) with a prescription. Last year they opened them all and tested them with some chemicals. I completely understand why they were tested, but they do have a limited shelf life once opened.
This year he will be putting some in his case rather than carrying the whole supply"
can they open medication like this and put something in them to test it, would not like to put the drops in my eyes after they have contaminated the drops with an unknown substance
#3
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 121
I'm guess, I'm really hoping here...
IF they absolutely must do this, they should take a sample (a drop) into a separate, clean container and then put whatever test chemicals in that.
Now, from the threads on here, I would assume they test it in the same way that they "test" drinks purchased on the secure side - by holding a strip above the container and allowing the vapor to interact with the strip (and by chasing down everyone in a game of tag rather than periodically testing soft drink dispensers and randomly selected bottled or canned beverages, of course).
I personally would escalate. In the first case, if every screener in every airport "only took one or two drops" you'd be out of medication that you can't just by over the counter and might be very expensive (how DO you explain to your health insurance provider that you lost your medicine from transiting airport security too often?)
Even more important, such medication - especially eye drops - must remain sterile. With all the jostling and apathy of the screeners, it's too high a risk for a gloved/ungloved hand that didn't get washed in the bathroom and touched a hundred other passengers, coming into contact with the tip of the eye drops. That could spell serious infection.
I would escalate, escalate, escalate. The label on the bottle is proof enough, and certainly if you have a full copy of the prescription/doctor's note.
Glaucoma is a serious disease - blindness isn't worth the risk. This is just another example of how TSA actively makes our lives more dangerous.
IF they absolutely must do this, they should take a sample (a drop) into a separate, clean container and then put whatever test chemicals in that.
Now, from the threads on here, I would assume they test it in the same way that they "test" drinks purchased on the secure side - by holding a strip above the container and allowing the vapor to interact with the strip (and by chasing down everyone in a game of tag rather than periodically testing soft drink dispensers and randomly selected bottled or canned beverages, of course).
I personally would escalate. In the first case, if every screener in every airport "only took one or two drops" you'd be out of medication that you can't just by over the counter and might be very expensive (how DO you explain to your health insurance provider that you lost your medicine from transiting airport security too often?)
Even more important, such medication - especially eye drops - must remain sterile. With all the jostling and apathy of the screeners, it's too high a risk for a gloved/ungloved hand that didn't get washed in the bathroom and touched a hundred other passengers, coming into contact with the tip of the eye drops. That could spell serious infection.
I would escalate, escalate, escalate. The label on the bottle is proof enough, and certainly if you have a full copy of the prescription/doctor's note.
Glaucoma is a serious disease - blindness isn't worth the risk. This is just another example of how TSA actively makes our lives more dangerous.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 471
I'm guess, I'm really hoping here...
IF they absolutely must do this, they should take a sample (a drop) into a separate, clean container and then put whatever test chemicals in that.
Now, from the threads on here, I would assume they test it in the same way that they "test" drinks purchased on the secure side - by holding a strip above the container and allowing the vapor to interact with the strip (and by chasing down everyone in a game of tag rather than periodically testing soft drink dispensers and randomly selected bottled or canned beverages, of course).
I personally would escalate. In the first case, if every screener in every airport "only took one or two drops" you'd be out of medication that you can't just by over the counter and might be very expensive (how DO you explain to your health insurance provider that you lost your medicine from transiting airport security too often?)
Even more important, such medication - especially eye drops - must remain sterile. With all the jostling and apathy of the screeners, it's too high a risk for a gloved/ungloved hand that didn't get washed in the bathroom and touched a hundred other passengers, coming into contact with the tip of the eye drops. That could spell serious infection.
I would escalate, escalate, escalate. The label on the bottle is proof enough, and certainly if you have a full copy of the prescription/doctor's note.
Glaucoma is a serious disease - blindness isn't worth the risk. This is just another example of how TSA actively makes our lives more dangerous.
IF they absolutely must do this, they should take a sample (a drop) into a separate, clean container and then put whatever test chemicals in that.
Now, from the threads on here, I would assume they test it in the same way that they "test" drinks purchased on the secure side - by holding a strip above the container and allowing the vapor to interact with the strip (and by chasing down everyone in a game of tag rather than periodically testing soft drink dispensers and randomly selected bottled or canned beverages, of course).
I personally would escalate. In the first case, if every screener in every airport "only took one or two drops" you'd be out of medication that you can't just by over the counter and might be very expensive (how DO you explain to your health insurance provider that you lost your medicine from transiting airport security too often?)
Even more important, such medication - especially eye drops - must remain sterile. With all the jostling and apathy of the screeners, it's too high a risk for a gloved/ungloved hand that didn't get washed in the bathroom and touched a hundred other passengers, coming into contact with the tip of the eye drops. That could spell serious infection.
I would escalate, escalate, escalate. The label on the bottle is proof enough, and certainly if you have a full copy of the prescription/doctor's note.
Glaucoma is a serious disease - blindness isn't worth the risk. This is just another example of how TSA actively makes our lives more dangerous.
#6
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 175
I'm guess, I'm really hoping here...
Now, from the threads on here, I would assume they test it in the same way that they "test" drinks purchased on the secure side - by holding a strip above the container and allowing the vapor to interact with the strip (and by chasing down everyone in a game of tag rather than periodically testing soft drink dispensers and randomly selected bottled or canned beverages, of course).
Glaucoma is a serious disease - blindness isn't worth the risk. This is just another example of how TSA actively makes our lives more dangerous.
Now, from the threads on here, I would assume they test it in the same way that they "test" drinks purchased on the secure side - by holding a strip above the container and allowing the vapor to interact with the strip (and by chasing down everyone in a game of tag rather than periodically testing soft drink dispensers and randomly selected bottled or canned beverages, of course).
Glaucoma is a serious disease - blindness isn't worth the risk. This is just another example of how TSA actively makes our lives more dangerous.
Spot on about the glaucoma. My Father-in-law used multiple expensive prescripted drops to control his.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salish Sea
Programs: DL,AC,HH,PC
Posts: 8,974
#8
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,444
I am stating this as a specialized professional.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
This is especially baffling if the drops are sealed. I've taken through sealed food and drinks before, I've never had them blink an eye. I've specifically asked them if sealed items were an issue, and the TSOs have always said that if it is factory sealed it is not an issue. I don't know why medicine would be any different.
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 53
I'm not used to seeing eye drops in containers >3 oz (and wouldn't expect larger than that if multiple containers are being brought on a trip). I'd just put them in the quart sized container and then they aren't supposed to have to do any testing.
I use 'single serve' eye drops on occasion. Those things CAN'T be resealed, but are obviously <<3oz, so I'd have them in my quart bag. If they had to open them, it's as good as confiscating them.
I use 'single serve' eye drops on occasion. Those things CAN'T be resealed, but are obviously <<3oz, so I'd have them in my quart bag. If they had to open them, it's as good as confiscating them.
#12
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: Ham Sandwich Medallion
Posts: 889
For the record, it was a 32 oz. Nalgene. Very nice bottle. Makes you wonder if the TSO was going hiking that weekend.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 105
on another forum that i belong this was posted
"My DH takes sealed bottles of eyedrops ( for glaucoma) with a prescription. Last year they opened them all and tested them with some chemicals. I completely understand why they were tested, but they do have a limited shelf life once opened.
This year he will be putting some in his case rather than carrying the whole supply"
can they open medication like this and put something in them to test it, would not like to put the drops in my eyes after they have contaminated the drops with an unknown substance
"My DH takes sealed bottles of eyedrops ( for glaucoma) with a prescription. Last year they opened them all and tested them with some chemicals. I completely understand why they were tested, but they do have a limited shelf life once opened.
This year he will be putting some in his case rather than carrying the whole supply"
can they open medication like this and put something in them to test it, would not like to put the drops in my eyes after they have contaminated the drops with an unknown substance