Have you ever seen the expiration date on your contact lens package? Many people don’t realize that contact lenses even have expiration dates, just like the milk in your refrigerator.
Yes, contact lenses do expire, and wearing expired contacts can put your eye health at serious risk. The expiration date can refer to the sterility of the saline solution that keeps your lenses safe and comfortable to wear. Understanding expiration dates and proper storage helps you maintain safe, comfortable contact lens wear.
Contact Lens Expiration Dates and What They Mean
You’ll find the expiration date printed on both the outer box and individual blister packs or vials. Look for small numbers along the edge or bottom of the packaging. The date usually appears as month/year (like 03/26) or in a longer format with the full date.
Some manufacturers use different formatting, so check for abbreviations like “EXP” or “USE BY” followed by the date. When in doubt, your optometrist can help you locate and understand the date format on your specific brand.
Contact lenses don’t visibly deteriorate the way food does. Instead, the sterile saline solution surrounding your contact lens begins to break down after the expiration date. This breakdown creates an environment where bacteria and other harmful microorganisms can grow.
Here’s what changes in expired contact lenses:
- Sterility of the solution breaks down
- Packaging may lose its seal
- Contact material can deteriorate
- Risk of eye infections increases
Different contact lens types have their own lifespans. Ask your optometrist about the shelf life and replacement schedule for your specific brand.
Risks of Wearing Expired Contact Lenses
Your eyes are delicate, and expired contact lenses can cause serious vision problems. The contaminated solution and degraded lens material create ideal conditions for infection and irritation.
These complications can develop within hours or days of wearing expired contacts:
- Bacterial infections
- Corneal ulcers
- Eye irritation & redness
- Blurred vision
- Allergic reactions
When to See Your Optometrist
If you experience pain, sudden vision changes, discharge, or persistent redness after wearing any contact lenses, remove them immediately. These symptoms can indicate a severe infection that needs prompt medical attention. If your symptoms don’t resolve after removing your contacts, call us immediately for emergency eye care.
How Long Different Types of Contact Lenses Last
One of the most significant factors for contact lens expiration dates is the type of contact lens. Here are some of the most common types:
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses
Unopened daily disposable contact lenses typically stay good for about 4 years from the manufacturer’s date when stored properly. You should throw away daily contacts after each use, which eliminates concerns about cleaning and storage.
Never try to reuse daily disposable contacts, even if you only wore them for a few hours. They’re designed for single use and don’t hold up to cleaning solutions.
Weekly and Monthly Contact Lenses
Weekly and monthly contact lenses have similar shelf lives to daily lenses when kept in their original, unopened packaging. Once you open the package and start wearing them, you need to replace weekly lenses every 7 days and monthly lenses every 30 days.
The replacement schedule starts from the day you first put the lens in your eye, not from when you opened the package.
Extended Wear and Specialty Contact Lenses
Specialty contact lenses for conditions such as astigmatism or presbyopia may follow the same expiration guidelines as standard soft lenses. Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses can last longer once you start wearing them, but their unopened packages still have expiration dates you should follow.
Proper Contact Lens Storage & Care
Keep your unopened contact lenses in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Room temperature storage works well for most contact lens types. Avoid storing them in hot areas, such as your car’s glove compartment or a bathroom cabinet near the shower. Extreme temperatures can damage the packaging seal and affect the sterile solution inside.
Contact lens solution also expires, usually within 1–2 years of the manufacture date. Check the bottle for expiration dates and replace solution that smells different, looks cloudy, or has been open for more than 3 months. Fresh solution helps keep your reusable contact lenses clean and comfortable throughout their use.
Contact Lens Safety Tips
Taking a few seconds to check your contact lenses before insertion can prevent hours of discomfort and potential eye health problems. Make these checks part of your daily routine:
- Check the expiration date every time
- Inspect the packaging for damage
- Look for changes in lens color or texture
- Wash your hands thoroughly
Keep track of your contact lens expiration dates by writing them on your calendar or setting phone reminders. Order new contacts about a month before your current supply expires to avoid running out.
Many eye care practices offer automatic replacement programs that ship new contacts to your home before you run out. Common eye symptoms can help you recognize when something isn’t right with your contacts or eye health.
Your Prescription Can Expire Too
Your vision can change gradually, making your current contact lens prescription less effective. Regular eye exams help detect these changes early and provide you with contact lenses that deliver clear, comfortable vision.
Annual checkups also allow your optometrist to monitor how your eyes respond to contact lens wear and address any developing problems. A professional contact lens fitting involves measuring the curve and size of your eye to find lenses that fit properly.
Enjoy Clear Vision with Contacts
Whether you need an eye exam, dry eye treatment, or help managing a chronic condition, Stonebridge Eye Care provides thorough, compassionate eye care for patients of all ages. Our contact lens fitting services help you find contacts that work well with your unique eye shape and daily activities.
Schedule your appointment today and see life with clarity.